A Doll's House Revision

Question 1

Why were Ibsen’s plays often described as ‘scandalous’ or ‘inappropriate’?

Answer 1

Because they challenged the social norms of European society in the late 19th century.

Question 2

Despite Ibsen’s popularity his plays were often described as what?

Answer 2

Scandalous and inappropriate.

Question 3

What two literary groups does Ibsen’s work fit into?

Answer 3

Realism and Modernism

Question 4

Ibsen was described as ‘the father of _____ ‘ in drama.

Answer 4

Realism

Question 5

Ibsen was often thought of as a pioneer of what?

Answer 5

Modernism

Question 6

When was A Doll’s House first performed?

Answer 6

1879

Question 7

What was the Napoleonic Code?

Answer 7

A law in Europe that prevented women from engaging in financial transactions

Question 8

In the late 19th century, why did so many women refuse to marry?

Answer 8

Because the laws regarding what married women could do when it came to finances were so limiting.

Question 9

What happens at the beginning of the 20th century, which could be linked to an emerging change of attitudes towards women in the late 19th century?

Answer 9

Women’s suffrage.

Question 10

Which Russian dramatist, who also critiqued family, society and morality, was writing at the same time as Ibsen?

Answer 10

Anton Chekhov

Question 11

Who is A Doll’s House thought to be partially based on?

Answer 11

Laura Kieler

Question 12

How did Laura Kieler influence the play?

Answer 12

Kieler also loaned money behind her husband’s back. When he discovered what she had done he had her committed to an insane asylum for 2 years.

Question 13

What did Kieler do after being released from an insane asylum that is drastically different to the play?

Answer 13

She returned to live with her husband and children.

Question 14

Why was A Doll’s House considered so scandalous?

Answer 14

Because of its criticism of 19th century marriage and the portrayal of a woman abandoning her family and her role.

Question 15

Due to the scandal surrounding the play, what was Ibsen forced to do?

Answer 15

Write an alternative ending.

Question 16

What happens in the alternative ending?

Answer 16

Nora changes her mind and decides to stay with Torvald after seeing her children.

Question 17

What did Ibsen call the alternative ending he was forced to write?

Answer 17

‘a barbaric outrage’.

Question 18

When seeing the Christmas Tree in Act One, how does Torvald refer to Nora?

Answer 18

‘little skylark’ and ‘little squirrel’

Question 19

Why did Nora borrow money?

Answer 19

To fund a trip to Italy in order to save Torvald’s life as he had grown ill.

Question 20

Who did Nora borrow money from?

Answer 20

Krogstad

Question 21

What does Nora dressing up for a fancy dress ball to dance the tarantella symbolise?

Answer 21

The idea of performance and identity. Nora is dressing up to appease others, in a similar way that she plays her role of a house wife to appears Torvald.

Question 22

What does Nora declare at the end of Act One?

Answer 22

That she has thirty-one hours to live (threatening to kill herself) to save Torvald from having to defend her and ruin his career.

Question 23

Why didn’t Mrs. Linde marry Krogstad initially?

Answer 23

Because a richer man provided her with a better way to support her family.

Question 24

How does Ibsen use Mrs. Linde’s first marriage to critique society?

Answer 24

It is made clear that she married out of necessity for status rather than love - something that is mirrored in Torvald’s view of his own marriage.

Question 25

Why does Mrs. Linde refuse to let Krogstad take back the letter?

Answer 25

Because she believes it is better for the truth to come out.

Question 26

Why does Torvald decide to forgive Nora?

Answer 26

Because Krogstad rescinds his threat and there is no longer any danger to his reputation.

Question 27

Why dos Nora leave?

Answer 27

Because she wants to discover a true sense of who she is, free from the constraint of marriage and gender boundaries.

Question 28

What are some of the animalistic names Torvald uses to refer to Nora?

Answer 28

squirrel, skylark, songbird, pet.

Question 29

What do the macaroon's symbolise? (three things)

Answer 29

1. Nora's internal desires for more than she is supposed to have. 2. Torvald's control of his wife in every aspect. 3. Nora's 'deceitful' nature as she continues to eat them anyway.

Question 30

Using quotation: How does Torvald feel about his children?

Answer 30

They are 'unbearable to anyone except mothers'.

Question 31

Torvald's indifferent attitude to the death of his friend, Dr. Rank, is crucial in the process of reshaping him as the what of the play?

Answer 31

Antagonist

Question 32

Who is the first antagonist of the play?

Answer 32

Krogstad

Question 33

Who arguably becomes the second antagonist of the play?

Answer 33

Torvald

Question 34

Who is the antagonist of the play? (Three choices)

Answer 34

Torvald Krogstad 'Late 19th century society'

Question 35

How does Mrs. Linde both fit and challenge the roles expected of women?

Answer 35

1. She desires to work, earn money and survive independently. 2. She wishes to serves others, fitting into the more traditional role of women as nurturers.

Question 36

Why does Ibsen have Mrs. Linde both embody and challenge ideas of stereotypical female roles?

Answer 36

Because Ibsen isn't arguing that women shouldn't perform the nurture role at all, he is arguing that they should have the choice to do both.

Question 37

What crime did Krogstad commit?

Answer 37

Forgery

Question 38

Why does Krogstad blackmail Nora?

Answer 38

Because he has losing his job. He is another example of the unmerciful nature of society forcing people towards immorality.

Question 39

Why was Anne Marie forced to give up her children?

Answer 39

Because they were born out of wedlock and the father refused to support them.

Question 40

How does Nora refer to her secret of borrowing money?

Answer 40

Her 'pride'

Question 41

How does Nora describe being in control of her money?

Answer 41

'almost like being a man.'

Question 42

When discussing being in control of her money, Nora states that it was 'almost like being a _____'.

Answer 42

Man

Question 43

What is the Christmas tree a symbol of?

Answer 43

It symbolizes family happiness and unity.

Question 44

At the beginning of Act Two, what happens to Christmas tree according to the stage directions?

Answer 44

It looks 'bedraggled.'

Question 45

What does the Christmas tree becoming 'bedraggled' symbolise?

Answer 45

It symbolises that the happiness of the household is withering as Nora starts to lose her innocence.

Question 46

How might the tarantella symbolise Nora's independence?

Answer 46

The fiery, passionate dance allows her to escape the perfect, mild-mannered Victorian doll she plays.

Question 47

How might the tarantella symbolise Nora's opression?

Answer 47

Torvald desires her when she performs it; it acts as another symbol of her trying to appease men.

Question 48

What do the doll's houses mentioned early on in the play represent?

Answer 48

The false marriage that Nora and Torvald are 'playing' at.

Question 49

What does Nora's comment that the doll's are cheap and will break soon anyway foreshadow?

Answer 49

The breaking up of her family life by leaving Torvald.

Question 50

What does Nora refer to her children as when she is playing with them?

Answer 50

'Little dollies'

Question 51

What does Nora referring to her children as 'little dollies' indicate?

Answer 51

That her children are likely to be forced into the same roles that she has.

Question 52

'Nora! Just like a _______.' (Act One)

Answer 52

Woman

Question 53

What does Torvalds comment that her spending money is 'just like a woman' reinforce?

Answer 53

That women cannot be trusted with finances; the reason the Napoleonic Code exists.

Question 54

'I would _____ ______ of doing anything you didn't want me to.' (Act One)

Answer 54

'never dream'

Question 55

What does a 'safe job and a good fat income' indicate? (Act One)

Answer 55

The importance of money and status in that society.

Question 56

'But it was tremendous ___ all the same, sitting there working and earning money like that.' (Act One)

Answer 56

fun

Question 57

How does Nora describe working and earning money in Act One?

Answer 57

fun

Question 58

Why does Nora brag about '[having] a little influence now and again'? (Act One)

Answer 58

Because she feels a brief sense of power that she rarely experiences.

Question 59

When bragging about getting Mrs. Linde a job, Nora talks about being a woman and 'people in subordinate positions'. Why has Ibsen done this?

Answer 59

To link the characters of Nora and Krogstad. They cannot act freely or work their way to what they want because of those in power - symbolised for both through the character of Torvald.

Question 60

What is ironic about Torvald stating that he would not 'necessarily want to condemn a man for a single mistake'? (Act One)

Answer 60

Because at the end of the play he so easily condemns a women (his wife) for one mistake.

Question 61

'not so heartless that I would necessarily want to condemn a ___ for a single mistake like that.' (Act One)

Answer 61

man

Question 62

How does 'he can never drop the mask' (Act One) once again link Nora and Krogstad?

Answer 62

It serves as a reminder of the mask she has to wear, playing her strict Victorian role.

Question 63

How is dramatic irony employed when Torvald says: 'A fog of lies like that in a household, and it spreads disease and infection'? (Act One)

Answer 63

The audience are aware that Torvald's house is also full of lies but he does not realise it. It also foreshadows the disease and infection that will come to ruin his family home too.

Question 64

'A fog of lies like that in a household, and it spreads ____ and _____ to every part of it.' (Act One)

Answer 64

disease/infection

Question 65

'When a poor girl's been in trouble she _____ make the best of things.' (Act Two)

Answer 65

must

Question 66

Analyse: '[Torvald] says he wants me all to himself.' (Act Two)

Answer 66

It shows the possessive nature of their relationship. At this moment in the play, Nora finds it endearing, suggesting she is not fully aware of her role yet.

Question 67

'So __ ____ I stopped doing it.' (Act Two)

Answer 67

of course

Question 68

Analyse: 'So of course I stopped doing it.' (Act Two)

Answer 68

'Of course' shows how engrained societal expectations are for women. To Nora at this stage in the play it is so self-evident that she obeys her husband without question.

Question 69

Who says 'a man's better at coping with these things than a woman'? (Act Two)

Answer 69

Nora

Question 70

'A _____ better at coping with these things than a woman.' (Act Two)

Answer 70

man's

Question 71

What infuriates Torvald so much about the idea of hiring Krogstad back?

Answer 71

The idea that someone should find out he has 'been talked over by his wife.' (Act Two)

Question 72

'Talked over by his ____'. (Act Two)

Answer 72

Wife

Question 73

'As long as the _____ ______ gets her own stubborn way.' (Act Two)

Answer 73

little woman

Question 74

'Do you want to make me a laughing stock of __ _____?

Answer 74

the office

Question 75

How is society presented when Torvald states that if someone found out his wife had convinced him to rehire Krogstad, he'd 'feel the consequences of that!' (Act Two)

Answer 75

It presents society as harsh and unforgiving as it punishes anyone who does not go along with its narrow-minded prejudices.

Question 76

How is Nora presented when, after Dr Rank tells her he is dying she says: 'You'll see tomorrow how nicely I can dance.'? (Act Two)

Answer 76

As childish and two-dimensional at this point. Her inability to engage with the seriousness of the topic shows her as being as infantile as she is treated.

Question 77

'You can pretend I'm doing it ___ ___ ___' (Act Two)

Answer 77

just for you

Question 78

How can the quotation 'You can pretend I'm doing it just for you' be as both sexist and third-wave feminist?

Answer 78

Sexist - she is obeying the male gaze, using her dance to appease men. Feminist - she is using her attractiveness to exert a degree of power over Dr. Rank.

Question 79

What does Krogstad view as most important, suggested by the quotation: 'I won't stand for being taken back again as an act of charity'? (Act Two)

Answer 79

Status and reputation

Question 80

'A ____ _____ ____ thing like you.' (Act Two)

Answer 80

precious / little / pampered

Question 81

'____ me what to do, _____ me right -- as you always do.' (Act Two)

Answer 81

Tell / Keep

Question 82

Analyse Nora's use of imperatives in: 'Tell me what to do, keep me right - as you always do.' (Act Two)

Answer 82

It shows Nora to still be helpless and in need of direction from men. This is of course a huge contrast to how Nora ends the play.

Question 83

'You are dancing as though ___ ___ ____ ___ __.' (Act Two)

Answer 83

'your life depended on it'

Question 84

What is the significance of Nora dancing as though her 'life depended on it?'

Answer 84

There is dark humour to the statement as she implies that her livelihood does literally depend on her ability to dance for her husband.

Question 85

'A heartless woman throws a man over the moment something ____ _______ offers itself.' (Act Three)

Answer 85

more profitable

Question 86

'Without ______, I couldn't live' (Act Three)

Answer 86

work

Question 87

Why is Kristine Linde saying 'without work, I couldn't live' significant? (Act Three)

Answer 87

Because it shows a desire to exist outside of the traditional roles of women.

Question 88

How does 'give me somebody and something to work for' present Mrs. Linde as a complex character?

Answer 88

On the one hard she wants to be independent and work, breaking gender roles. On the other, she wants to take cares of others, fulfilling traditional gender roles.

Question 89

What word does Mrs. Linde repeat when discussing Nora's secret with Krogstad in Act Three?

Answer 89

must

Question 90

'This unhappy secret ______ come out. Those two ____ have the whole thing out.' (Act Three)

Answer 90

Must

Question 91

From a feminist perspective, why 'must' Nora's secret come out?

Answer 91

Because it acts as the catalyst for her change. She must reveal her secret in order to challenge the social order and thus begin to break free from it.

Question 92

How does the following quotation from Act Three reframe Torvald? 'His suffering and loneliness seemed almost to provide a background of dark cloud to the sunshine of our lives.'

Answer 92

It reframes him as a clear antagonist. He cares not for the death of his friend and states he only kept him around as it made them look and feel better about their lives.

Question 93

What does 'his suffering and loneliness seemed almost to provide a background of dark cloud to the sunshine of our lives.' indicate about Torvald? (Act Three)

Answer 93

That his idea of a happy and meaningful life is based on outside appearance, foreshadowing his reaction when Nora reveals her secret.

Question 94

'indescribably moving and satisfying in knowing that he has forgiven ____ wife' (Act Three)

Answer 94

his

Question 95

'It made her his ______ in a double sense' (Act Three)

Answer 95

property

Question 96

In Act Three how does Torvald define his wife when linking her to the idea of property?

Answer 96

'his wife' and 'his child'

Question 97

'I have been your ______ wife, just as at home I was Daddy's _____ child.' (Act Three)

Answer 97

doll

Question 98

'And the children have been my ______.' (Act Three)

Answer 98

dolls

Question 99

In Act Three, as the play draws to the conclusion, what does Nora compare her marriage to?

Answer 99

playing with dolls

Question 100

'I am an _________, just as much as you are.' (Act Three)

Answer 100

Individual

Question 101

'I have to think things for ________, and get things ______.' (Act Three)

Answer 101

myself/clear