Act One Flashcards
The first stage direction given by Ibsen in Act One of ‘A Doll’s House’
“A comfortably and tastefully, but not expensively furnished room.”
Torvald questions how much his wife Nora has been spending on Christmas gifts whilst she was shopping
“Has my little squanderbird been overspending again?”
Torvald’s reaction to Nora stating she would borrow money should Torvald be unable to support their family regardless of their financial circumstances
“Oh, Nora, Nora, how like a woman! No, but seriously, Nora, you know how I feel about this. No debts, never borrow!”
Nora describing the gifts she has purchased for her and Torvald’s three children which align with their gender
“new clothes for Ivar - and a sword […] a horse and trumpet for Bob […] a doll and a cradle for Emmy”
Torvald marvelling at the money Nora spends and how expensive it is to fund her lifestyle
“It’s incredible what an expensive pet she is for a man to keep.”
Nora reassuring Torvald that she would not disobey him
“You know I could never act against your wishes.”
Nora ensuring Mrs Linde that she can persuade Torvald to make a vacancy available at the bank for Mrs Linde using her femininity to her advantage
“I’ll get him in the right mood.”
Nora envisioning how embarrassed Torvald would feel if he found out that Nora was borrowed money to afford the trip to Italy
“he’s so proud of being a man - it’d be so painful and humiliating for him to know that he owed anything to me.”
Nora reminiscing about how much she enjoyed working, which she had to do to pay back the loan
“But it was great fun, though […] It was almost like being a man.”
Dr Rank describing Krogstad
“moral cripple”
Nora’s ignorance regarding the workings of the social world
“What do I care about society. I think it’s a bore.”
Nora flattering Torvald to convince him to give Mrs Linde a job at the bank
“she’s mad to come under some really clever man who can teach her even more than she knows already”
Krogstad stating the unwavering nature of the law, which Nora refuses to accept.
“The law does not concern itself with motives.”
“Then the law must be very stupid.”
Krogstad’s menacing threat to Nora, promising to ruin her reputation if she refuses to help him secure a job
“If I get thrown into the gutter for a second time, I shall take you with me.”
An interaction between Torvald and Nora after Nora reverts back to being submissive and asks Torvald for help with choosing a costume for an upcoming fancy dress ball
“So little Miss Independent’s in trouble and needs a man to rescue her, does she?”
“Yes Torvald, I can’t get anywhere without your help.”
