Symbolism

Question 1

xmas tree

Answer 1

Nora’s flurry of excitement for xmas. It symbolises family happiness and unity. At then beginning of act two the tree has been stripped and the candles burned out. This represents the end of Nora’s innocence and foreshadows the Helmer family’s eventual disintegration

Question 2

macaroons

Answer 2

represent Nora’s disobedience and deceit. There’s a relationship between the macaroons and Nora’s inner passions, both of which she must hide within her marriage

Question 3

the tarantella

Answer 3

symbolises a side of Nora that she can not normally show. A fiery passionate dance. Throughout the play Nora uses performance to please Torvald. He admits that watching her perform it makes him desire her. This is only under very controlled circumstances and Torvald seems to enjoy the fact that is impresses other people more than anything

Question 4

the doll’s house

Answer 4

suggests that Nora is raising her daughter for a life similar to her own. Foreshadows Nora breaking up her family life by leaving Torvald. Nora tells Torvald that both he and her father treated her like a doll, and cites this as one of the reasons why she has become dissatisfied and disillusioned with her life with him