an equal partner Nora realizes that she has always been treated as a doll-wife merely existing to entertain and please Torvald She cannot forgive him because of this lack of respect and genuine understanding As she tells him You never loved me You just thought it was pleasant to be in love with me Torvald s Hypocrisy and Superficiality Torvald forgives Nora only when his reputation is no longer at risk He says I am saved Nora I am saved This quote shows his relief that his public image remains intact This sudden shift makes Nora see that his love is superficial and based on societal expectations rather than actual care for her as an individual Ultimately Nora s decision not to forgive Torvald is rooted in his selfishness lack of respect hypocrisy and her need for self-discovery A Doll s House powerfully illustrates how these elements force Nora to break free from a marriage that only stifles her growth as an individual