Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Mrs. Linde: Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a child in many things, and I am older than you in many ways and have a little more experience. Let me tell you this—you ought to make an end of it with Doctor Rank.Nora: What ought I to make an end of?Mrs. Linde: Of two things, I think. Yesterday you talked some nonsense about a rich admirer who was to leave you money—Nora: An admirer who doesn't exist, unfortunately! But what then?Mrs. Linde: Is Doctor Rank a man of means?Nora: Yes, he is.Mrs. Linde: And has no one to provide for?Nora: No, no one; but—Mrs. Linde: And comes here everyday?Nora: Yes, I told you so.Mrs. Linde: But how can this well-bred man be so tactless?Nora: I don't understand you at all.Mrs. Linde: Don't prevaricate, Nora. Do you suppose I don't guess who lent you the two hundred and fifty pounds?
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Rank: And what other nice things am I to be allowed to see?Nora: Not a single thing more, for being so naughty. [She looks among the things, humming to herself.]Rank: [after a short silence] When I am sitting here, talking to you as intimately as this, I cannot imagine for a moment what would have become of me if I had never come into this house.Nora: [smiling] I believe you do feel thoroughly at home with us.Rank: [in a lower voice, looking straight in front of him] And to be obliged to leave it all—Nora: Nonsense, you are not going to leave it.Rank: [as before] And not be able to leave behind one the slightest token of one's gratitude, scarcely even a fleeting regret—nothing but an empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other.Nora: And if I asked you now for a—? No!Rank: For what?Nora: For a big proof of your friendship—Rank: Yes, yes!Nora: I mean a tremendously big favour—Rank: Would you really make me so happy for once?Nora: Ah, but you don't know what it is yet.Rank: No—but tell me.Nora: I really can't, Doctor Rank. It is something out of all reason; it means advice, and help, and a favour—Rank: The bigger a thing it is the better. I can't conceive what it is you mean. Do tell me. Haven't I your confidence?Nora: More than anyone else. I know you are my truest and best friend, and so I will tell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me to prevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Nora: [putting her arms round her neck] Dear old Anne, you were a good mother to me when I was little.Nurse: Little Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me.Nora: And if my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would—What nonsense I am talking! [Opens the box.] Go in to them. Now I must—. You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Nora: [going up to HELMER] I have wanted you so much, Torvald dear.Helmer: Was that the dressmaker?Nora: No, it was Christine; she is helping me to put my dress in order. You will see I shall look quite smart.Helmer: Wasn't that a happy thought of mine, now?Nora: Splendid! But don't you think it is nice of me, too, to do as you wish?Helmer: Nice?—because you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. But I am not going to disturb you; you will want to be trying on your dress, I expect.Nora: I suppose you are going to work.Helmer: Yes. [Shows her a bundle of papers.] Look at that. I have just been into the bank. [Turns to go into his room.]Nora: Torvald.Helmer: Yes.Nora: If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very prettily—?Helmer: What then?Nora: Would you do it?Helmer: I should like to hear what it is, first.Nora: Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants.Helmer: Speak plainly.Nora: Your skylark would chirp about in every room, with her song rising and falling—Helmer: Well, my skylark does that anyhow.Nora: I would play the fairy and dance for you in the moonlight, Torvald.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Nora: You never can tell what mischief these men may contrive. We ought to be so well off, so snug and happy here in our peaceful home, and have no cares—you and I and the children, Torvald! That is why I beg you so earnestly—Helmer: And it is just by interceding for him that you make it impossible for me to keep him. It is already known at the Bank that I mean to dismiss Krogstad. Is it to get about now that the new manager has changed his mind at his wife's bidding—Nora: And what if it did?Helmer: Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? I should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can tell you! And besides, there is one thing that makes it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad in the Bank as long as I am manager.Nora: Whatever is that?Helmer: His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, if necessary—Nora: Yes, you could—couldn't you?Helmer: And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. It was one of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly, we were once on very intimate terms with one another. But this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me, and every minute it is "I say, Helmer, old fellow!" and that sort of thing. I assure you it is extremely painful for me. He would make my position in the Bank intolerable.
What dramatic irony occurs in this passage? Select two options.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Mrs. Linde: When you introduced him to me yesterday, he declared he had often heard my name mentioned in this house; but afterwards I noticed that your husband hadn't the slightest idea who I was. So how could Doctor Rank—?Nora: That is quite right, Christine. Torvald is so absurdly fond of me that he wants me absolutely to himself, as he says. At first he used to seem almost jealous if I mentioned any of the dear folk at home, so naturally I gave up doing so. But I often talk about such things with Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them.Mrs. Linde: Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a child in many things, and I am older than you in many ways and have a little more experience. Let me tell you this—you ought to make an end of it with Doctor Rank.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Mrs. Linde: [goes on sewing. A short silence] Does Doctor Rank come here everyday?Nora: Everyday regularly. He is Torvald's most intimate friend, and a great friend of mine too. He is just like one of the family.Mrs. Linde: But tell me this—is he perfectly sincere? I mean, isn't he the kind of man that is very anxious to make himself agreeable?Nora: Not in the least. What makes you think that?Mrs. Linde: When you introduced him to me yesterday, he declared he had often heard my name mentioned in this house; but afterwards I noticed that your husband hadn't the slightest idea who I was. So how could Doctor Rank—?Nora: That is quite right, Christine. Torvald is so absurdly fond of me that he wants me absolutely to himself, as he says. At first he used to seem almost jealous if I mentioned any of the dear folk at home, so naturally I gave up doing so. But I often talk about such things with Doctor Rank, because he likes hearing about them.Mrs. Linde: Listen to me, Nora. You are still very like a child in many things, and I am older than you in many ways and have a little more experience. Let me tell you this—you ought to make an end of it with Doctor Rank.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Helmer: Rank led me to expect a splendid transformation.Rank: [in the doorway] I understood so, but evidently I was mistaken.Nora: Yes, nobody is to have the chance of admiring me in my dress until tomorrow.Helmer: But, my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you been practising too much?Nora: No, I have not practised at all.Helmer: But you will need to—Nora: Yes, indeed I shall, Torvald. But I can't get on a bit without you to help me; I have absolutely forgotten the whole thing.Helmer: Oh, we will soon work it up again.Nora: Yes, help me, Torvald. Promise that you will! I am so nervous about it—all the people—. You must give yourself up to me entirely this evening. Not the tiniest bit of business—you mustn't even take a pen in your hand. Will you promise, Torvald dear?Helmer: I promise. This evening I will be wholly and absolutely at your service, you helpless little mortal. Ah, by the way, first of all I will just— [Goes towards the hall door.]Nora: What are you going to do there?Helmer: Only see if any letters have come.Nora: No, no! don't do that, Torvald!Helmer: Why not?Nora: Torvald, please don't. There is nothing there.
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Nora: [quickly] He mustn't get the letter. Tear it up. I will find some means of getting money.Krogstad: Excuse me, Mrs. Helmer, but I think I told you just now—Nora: I am not speaking of what I owe you. Tell me what sum you are asking my husband for, and I will get the money.Krogstad: I am not asking your husband for a penny.Nora: What do you want, then?Krogstad: I will tell you. I want to rehabilitate myself, Mrs. Helmer; I want to get on; and in that your husband must help me. For the last year and a half I have not had a hand in anything dishonourable, amid all that time I have been struggling in most restricted circumstances. I was content to work my way up step by step. Now I am turned out, and I am not going to be satisfied with merely being taken into favour again. I want to get on, I tell you. I want to get into the Bank again, in a higher position. Your husband must make a place for me—Nora: That he will never do!Krogstad: He will; I know him; he dare not protest. And as soon as I am in there again with him, then you will see! Within a year I shall be the manager's right hand. It will be Nils Krogstad and not Torvald Helmer who manages the Bank.Nora: That's a thing you will never see!Krogstad: Do you mean that you will—?Nora: I have courage enough for it now.Krogstad: Oh, you can't frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you—Nora: You will see, you will see.Krogstad: Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, coal-black water? And then, in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible and unrecognisable, with your hair fallen out—Nora: You can't frighten me.Krogstad: Nor you me. People don't do such things, Mrs. Helmer. Besides, what use would it be? I should have him completely in my power all the same.Nora: Afterwards? When I am no longer—Krogstad: Have you forgotten that it is I who have the keeping of your reputation? [NORA stands speechlessly looking at him.] Well, now, I have warned you. Do not do anything foolish. When Helmer has had my letter, I shall expect a message from him. And be sure you remember that it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this again. I will never forgive him for that. Goodbye, Mrs. Helmer. [Exit through the hall.]
Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.Nora: [putting her arms round her neck] Dear old Anne, you were a good mother to me when I was little.Nurse: Little Nora, poor dear, had no other mother but me.Nora: And if my little ones had no other mother, I am sure you would—What nonsense I am talking! [Opens the box.] Go in to them. Now I must—. You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look.Nurse: I am sure there will be no one at the ball so charming as you, ma'am. [Goes into the room on the left.]Nora: [begins to unpack the box, but soon pushes it away from her]. If only I dared go out. If only no one would come. If only I could be sure nothing would happen here in the meantime. Stuff and nonsense! No one will come. Only I mustn't think about it. I will brush my muff. What lovely, lovely gloves! Out of my thoughts, out of my thoughts! One, two, three, four, five, six— [Screams.] Ah! there is someone coming—. [Makes a movement towards the door, but stands irresolute.]
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