Read the passage from A Doll’s House. Nora: Good gracious, can't you understand? There was no old gentleman at all; it was only something that I used to sit here and imagine, when I couldn't think of any way of procuring money. But it's all the same now; the tiresome old person can stay where he is, as far as I am concerned; I don't care about him or his will either, for I am free from care now. [Jumps up.] My goodness, it's delightful to think of, Christine! Free from care! To be able to be free from care, quite free from care; to be able to play and romp with the children; to be able to keep the house beautifully and have everything just as Torvald likes it! And, think of it, soon the spring will come and the big blue sky! Perhaps we shall be able to take a little trip—perhaps I shall see the sea again! Oh, it's a wonderful thing to be alive and be happy. [A bell is heard in the hall.] How does the author use Nora to explore a social issue?
Read the passage from A Doll’s House. Krogstad: I had left the date blank; that is to say, your father should himself have inserted the date on which he signed the paper. Do you remember that? Nora: Yes, I think I remember— Krogstad: Then I gave you the bond to send by post to your father. Is that not so? Nora: Yes. Krogstad: And you naturally did so at once, because five or six days afterwards you brought me the bond with your father's signature. And then I gave you the money. Nora: Well, haven't I been paying it off regularly? Krogstad: Fairly so, yes. But—to come back to the matter in hand—that must have been a very trying time for you, Mrs. Helmer? Nora: It was, indeed. Krogstad: Your father was very ill, wasn't he? Nora: He was very near his end. Krogstad: And died soon afterwards? Nora: Yes. Krogstad: Tell me, Mrs. Helmer, can you by any chance remember what day your father died? —on what day of the month, I mean. Nora: Papa died on the 29th of September. Krogstad: That is correct; I have ascertained it for myself. And, as that is so, there is a discrepancy [taking a paper from his pocket] which I cannot account for. Nora: What discrepancy? I don't know— Krogstad: The discrepancy consists, Mrs. Helmer, in the fact that your father signed this bond three days after his death. How does the conflict in this passage develop the social issue of gender inequality?
Read the passage from A Doll’s House. Helmer: That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle. Nora: [moving towards the stove]. As you please, Torvald. Helmer: [following her]. Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? [Taking out his purse.] Nora, what do you think I have got here? Nora: [turning around quickly]. Money! Helmer: There you are. [Gives her some money.] Do you think I don't know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time? Nora: [counting]. Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time. Helmer: Indeed it must. How does the author use the character of Torvald Helmer to explore a social issue?
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