A Dolls House Act 3

Question 1

Linde to Krogstad:
I need someone to be a mother to; and your children need a mother. And you and I need each other…

Answer 1

I believe in you, Nils. I am afraid of nothing - with you.(p.94)

Question 2

What does creepy Torvald like to pretend Nora is at the party?

Answer 2

‘I pretend to myself that you’re my secret mistress’ (p. 100)

Question 3

When Torvald wants to get off with Nora and she is reluctant…

Answer 3

TORVALD: ‘Now, Nora, you’re joking with me.
Don’t want, don’t want - ? Aren’t | your husband?’ (p. 100)

Question 4

TORVALD: But no man can be expected to sacrifice his honour, even for the person he loves.
Nora says on p. 116?

Answer 4

‘Millions of women have done it’

Question 5

TORVALD: First and foremost you are a wife and mother.
NORA: I don’t believe that any longer. | believe…

Answer 5

that I am first and foremost a human being.
(p. 113)

Question 6

What does Torvald say about Dr Rank?

Answer 6

his ‘suffering and loneliness seemed to provide a kind of dark background to the happy sunlight of our marriage’

Question 7

How does Nora portray their marriage as an economic transaction?

Answer 7

‘I performed tricks for you and you gave me food and drink’

Question 8

What evidence is there that Torvald views his own identity as predicated on Nora’s fragility and helplessness?

Answer 8

‘I would not be a man if your feminine helplessness did not make you doubly attractive to me’

Question 9

How does Torvald fantasise her virginity?

Answer 9

‘Young bride’ + ‘young, trembling and beautiful’