Nora Helmer and Yermolai Alekseyevich (Lopakhin) of A Doll's House and The Cherry Orchard respectively, were akin in many ways. The two characters lacked in their personal lives and were not in charge of their households. On the other hand, there were also differences between them. Nora was not as clever as Lopakhin and also not as confident. Nora and Lopakhin both had missing pieces within their interpersonal relationships but at the same time had overcome much hardship by the end of the respective plays.
Nora and Yermolai Alekseyevich (Lopakhin) both lacked successful love lives, and both dwelled in homes that were owned and controlled by another party. Not only was Nora flirtatious towards a man other than her husband (Dr. Rank), she eventually left her husband and her three children behind. The following conversation between Nora and Torvald was Nora's final statements before leaving her family behind. It aptly illustrated the tension and dysfunction between Nora and her husband:
Varya is so hungry that don't mind Burger King ;-)
Kazasnskiy Sobor, Singer House and Varya
Varya and skyscrapersNORA. I've never felt more clearheaded and sure in my life.
HELMER. And-clearheaded and sure-you're leaving your husband and children?
NORA. Yes.
HELMER. Then there's only one possible reason.
NORA. What?
HELMER. You no longer love me.
NORA. No. That's exactly it.
HELMER. Nora! You can't be serious!
NORA. Oh, this is so hard, Torvald-you've been so kind to me always. But I can't help it. I don't love you anymore.
HELMER. (struggling for composure). Are you also sure and clearheaded about that?
NORA. Yes, completely. That's why I can't go on staying here. (Ibsen 111-112)
Through those previous statements, Nora was able to express the distaste she had for her husband, her marriage, and her life in general. In an earlier scene from A Doll's House, Nora had provocatively showed her stockings to Dr. Rank and it was later...