Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, a play originally written in Norwegian in the 19th century, provides an extract from the lives of Nora and Torvald Helmer. Throughout the play, the characters face situations such as emotional conflicts, keeping secrets, conversational exploitation, and physical distractions. Ibsen manipulates the clothes to signal the infiltration and withdrawal of the characters. The expressions infiltration and withdrawal illustrate a spectrum from inside to outside. Internal expressions apply to the emotions the character feels or does not feel and the secrets they are hiding from themselves. The outward appearance denotes interactive events such as conversations and inputs. Ibsen suppresses the characters' emotions by making them adjust their clothes. In the first act, Nora speaks to Torvald about her desire for more money. In doing so, Nora begins: “[playing with the buttons of her coat and without raising her eyes to his eyes]” (Doll act I). In this conversation with Torvald, Nora shows emotional withdrawal from Torvald through her refusal to look at him, in order to receive more money. Nora feigns innocence when she wants something from her husband; however, she has no emotional attachment when manipulating Torvald. Additionally, Torvald, like Nora, displays emotional detachment. When Torvald prepares to leave in the first act, he is more concerned with his work than his feelings: “[Helmer comes out of his room with his coat on his arm and his hat in his hand]” (Doll Act I). Although Torvald has a conversation with Nora before leaving, he is strictly talking business. The conversation shows how emotionally detached Nora and Torvald actually seem. Since Nora mentions...... middle of paper ......ns and retractions. The emotional withdrawal into which the characters succumb and the secrets they reveal to other characters indicate the internal components of the spectrum. Unlike emotions and secrets, the conversations and physical input of other characters depict the external elements from internal to external. Ibsen shapes the events surrounding Nora and Torvald, and the way he uses clothing allows for a subtle cue for each situation. The fact that clothing communicates the signs of withdrawal and infiltration allows us to better understand how the characters operate in their daily communications and events. Additionally, it consents to the character's unspoken desires for other characters and the actions they wish to take place. Works Cited Ibsen, Henrik. A doll's house. Trans. Michael Meyer. Mineola (NY): Dover, 1992.