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So you are going to be dressed up tomorrow Nora. I will tellyou what—I shall come in for a moment and see you in your fine feathers.But I have completely forgotten to thank you for a delightful eveningyesterday. NORA.Yes, I was passing by.
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As he reads them, Nora prepares to run away for good, but Torvald confronts her with Krogstad's letter. Enraged, he declares that she is now completely in Krogstad's power; she must yield to Krogstad's demands and keep quiet about the whole affair. He berates Nora, calling her a dishonest and immoral woman and telling her that she is unfit to raise their children. He says that from now on their marriage will be only a matter of appearances. But Nora has realised something about her marriage to Torvald, and, changing out of her fancy-dress outfit, she announces that she is leaving him.
A Summary and Analysis of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her dyingfather anxiety and care? Is a wife not to be allowed to save herhusband’s life? I don’t know much about law; but I am certain thatthere must be laws permitting such things as that. Have you no knowledge ofsuch laws—you who are a lawyer? You must be a very poor lawyer, Mr.Krogstad. Ibsen wrote A Doll's House when Laura Kieler had been committed to the asylum.
Henrik Ibsen
NORA.It was impossible; papa was so ill. KROGSTAD.And you naturally did so at once, because five or six days afterwards youbrought me the bond with your father’s signature. And then I gave you themoney.
A Doll's House Study Guide
Nora’s entire outlook on life shifts by the end of the play, and she now understands that marriage needs equality to work. Nora inquires further about Mrs. Linde’s life, and Mrs. Linde explains that for years she had to care for her sick mother and her two younger brothers. She states that her mother has passed away, though, and that the brothers are too old to need her.
It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you can inherit thesethings, Nora. NORA.If that were to happen, I don’t suppose I should care whether I owedmoney or not. [SCENE.—A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but notextravagantly.
The play explores themes of marriage, gender inequality, and the consequences of imposed social expectations on individual freedom. Ibsen's German agent felt that the original ending would not play well in German theaters. In addition, copyright laws of the time would not preserve Ibsen's original work. Therefore, for it to be considered acceptable, and prevent the translator from altering his work, Ibsen was forced to write an alternative ending for the German premiere. In this ending, Nora is led to her children after having argued with Torvald.
Krogstad states that Torvald wants to fire him from his position at the bank and alludes to his own poor reputation. He asks Nora to use her influence to ensure that his position remains secure. When she refuses, Krogstad points out that he has in his possession a contract that contains Nora’s forgery of her father’s signature. Krogstad blackmails Nora, threatening to reveal her crime and to bring shame and disgrace on both Nora and her husband if she does not prevent Torvald from firing him.
Juneau Afternoon: Marta Lastufka returns to the stage after twenty years in "A Doll's House, Part 2" - KTOO
Juneau Afternoon: Marta Lastufka returns to the stage after twenty years in "A Doll's House, Part 2".
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Dr. Rank arrives and tells Nora that he knows he is close to death. She attempts to cheer him up and begins to flirt with him. She seems to be preparing to ask him to intervene on her behalf in her struggle with Torvald. Suddenly, Dr. Rank reveals to Nora that he is in love with her. In light of this revelation, Nora refuses to ask Dr. Rank for anything. And you have always been so kind to me.
At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance-hall,another to the left leads to Helmer’s study. Between the doors stands apiano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window.Near the window are a round table, arm-chairs and a small sofa. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china andother small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors arecarpeted, and a fire burns in the stove.
No, no; only lean on me; I will advise you and direct you.I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you adouble attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the hardthings I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everythingwas going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I haveforgiven you.
Mrs. Linde arrives and helps sew Nora’s costume for the ball that Nora will be attending at her neighbors’ home the following evening. Nora tells Mrs. Linde that Dr. Rank has a mortal illness that he inherited from his father. Nora’s suspicious behavior leads Mrs. Linde to guess that Dr. Rank is the source of Nora’s loan. Nora denies Mrs. Linde’s charge but refuses to reveal the source of her distress.
After saying goodnight to Mrs. Linde, Torvald tells Nora how desirable she looked as she danced. Dr. Rank, who was also at the party and has come to say goodnight, promptly interrupts Torvald’s advances on Nora. After Dr. Rank leaves, Torvald finds in his letterbox two of Dr. Rank’s visiting cards, each with a black cross above the name. Nora knows Dr. Rank’s cards constitute his announcement that he will soon die, and she informs Torvald of this fact. She then insists that Torvald read Krogstad’s letter.
Certainly I knew we should not have him very long with us.But so soon! And so he hides himself away like a wounded animal. HELMER.Emptying the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be no room to put thenewspaper in tomorrow morning. RANK.At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible. RANK.Oh well, one can’t have anything in this life without paying for it.
Nora tells Torvald that she is leaving him and, in a confrontational scene, expresses her sense of betrayal and disillusionment. She says he has never loved her and they have become strangers to each other. She feels betrayed by his response to the scandal involving Krogstad, and she says she must get away to understand herself. She says that she has been treated like a doll to play with for her whole life, first by her father and then by him.
You are not to feelyourself bound in the slightest way, any more than I shall. There must beperfect freedom on both sides. See, here is your ring back. HELMER.You talk like a child. You don’t understand the conditions of the worldin which you live.
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