When A Doll's House initially debuted in 1879, its innovative insights into the social roles of husband and wife astounded its first viewers. One of the most striking dramatic images of women from the late nineteenth century is Ibsen's portrayal of Nora as the trapped "songbird," his imperfect heroine. Torvald Helmer and Nora Helmer seem to have a contented, idealistic marriage and home life. This flawless representation, nevertheless, is in trouble because Nora's earlier forgery attempt might be discovered. The events that follow eventually make Nora understand that their marriage and lives as a whole have been fashioned by illusions, and she soon finds herself unsure of what is good and wrong.