Answers MA-English Language Arts 10A Doll’s House, Part 1: Dramatic Structure and Characterization

A Doll’s House, Part 3: Theme and Society Answers

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Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House.Nora: Alas, Torvald, you are not the man to educate me into being a proper wife for you.Helmer: And you can say that!Nora: And I—how am I fitted to bring up the children?Helmer: Nora!Nora: Didn't you say so yourself a little while ago—that you dare not trust me to bring them up?Helmer: In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any heed to that?Nora: Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for the task. There is another task I must undertake first. I must try and educate myself—you are not the man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now.

Nora admits that she did not raise the children properly in the past, and she wants to educate herself on better ways to raise them.

Nora regrets her previous comment to Helmer about not trusting him, and she needs to leave to find someone she trusts to educate her.

Nora decides that her decisions to be a wife and raise children were wrong, so she is leaving in order to educate herself properly.

Nora wishes that she had not asked Helmer to educate her because she feels he has failed, so she wants to leave to find a new teacher.

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What is a universal theme?

a message that explores cultural and geographical differences among people from all parts of the world

a message about the human condition that people, regardless of differences, understand on a personal level

a message in which the human condition is explored through a variety of viewpoints from different cultures

a message that applies to people who have read literature from different countries and that explores one idea

How do the stage directions best support the theme that the truth can never be hidden? Select two options.

When Helmer kisses Nora on the forehead, he is telling her that he will always love her despite what happens.

When Helmer takes his letters and shuts the door to his room, he is demonstrating that he wants his personal business hidden from Nora.

When Nora wraps her shawl around herself, she is attempting to hide from Helmer and symbolically keep her secrets hidden.

When Nora speaks in spasmodic whispers, she is showing that the truth about Helmer is causing her a great deal of distress.

When Helmer stands with the open letter, he is showing Nora that he knows of her actions and wants to confront her.

Which views from the late 1800s does this passage best support? Select two options.

Society considered women to be lesser than men.

Men had much greater economic freedom than women.

Women who challenged societal norms were considered outcasts.

Women who ended marriages could not keep any property.

Men often considered women to be their personal property.

Which themes are best demonstrated by the evidence in this passage? Select two options.

Mrs. Linde’s need for Krogstad to give things to her demonstrates the theme “a lack of independence has costs.”

Mrs. Linde’s desire to work to support her family demonstrates the theme “making sacrifices to support others is worth it.”

Mrs. Linde’s view of her and Krogstad’s family life demonstrates the theme “the family unit can oppress women.”

Mrs. Linde’s view of her past decisions demonstrates the theme “a lack of love and family can make one feel purposeless.”

Mrs. Linde’s choice to pursue a life supporting Krogstad demonstrates the theme “society demands women be caregivers.”

Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House.Nora: And I—how am I fitted to bring up the children?Helmer: Nora!Nora: Didn't you say so yourself a little while ago—that you dare not trust me to bring them up?Helmer: In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any heed to that?Nora: Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for the task. There is another task I must undertake first. I must try and educate myself—you are not the man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now.Helmer [springing up]: What do you say?Nora: I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with you any longer.

Women were expected to raise children and be caregivers.

Women were supposed to educate themselves without assistance.

Women were obligated to share the same opinions as men.

Women were required to forgive men’s emotions, especially anger.

Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House.Mrs. Linde: You seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been quite another man.Krogstad: I am certain of it.Mrs. Linde: Is it too late now?Krogstad: Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then—?Mrs. Linde: I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real character—I can dare anything together with you.Krogstad [grasps her hands]. Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot—

Mrs. Linde creates a conflict by promising something she cannot give to Krogstad, which develops the theme that empty promises can destroy relationships.

Krogstad continues the conflict by choosing clearing his name over having a life with Mrs. Linde, which develops the theme that you must often choose yourself over others.

Krogstad creates a conflict by deceiving Mrs. Linde about his intentions, which develops the theme that, in love, actions speak louder than words.

Mrs. Linde resolves the conflict by committing to a new life with Krogstad, which develops the theme that new beginnings are always possible.

Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House.Mrs. Linde [looking at her watch]: Not yet—and the time is nearly up. If only he does not—. [Listens again.] Ah, there he is. [Goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers.] Come in. There is no one here.Krogstad [in the doorway]: I found a note from you at home. What does this mean?Mrs. Linde: It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with you.Krogstad: Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be here?Mrs. Linde: It is impossible where I live; there is no private entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.

The use of letters and secret meetings develops the theme that hiding the truth will eventually lead to hardship.

The use of questions develops the theme that the truth can be discovered only by asking the right questions.

The use of doorways develops the theme that being too open about the truth can cause conflict and heartache.

The use of conversations beginning abruptly develops the theme that getting to the point will always reveal the truth.

Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House.Krogstad: I will ask for my letter back.Mrs. Linde: No, no.Krogstad: Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back--that it only concerns my dismissal--that he is not to read it--Mrs. Linde: No, Nils, you must not recall your letter.Krogstad: But, tell me, wasn't it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet you here?Mrs. Linde: In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on.Krogstad: Very well, if you will take the responsibility.

the man as a ruler

the man as a trickster

the woman as a mother

the woman as a caregiver

Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House.Helmer [reeling]: True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no—it is impossible that it can be true.Nora: It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world.Helmer: Oh, don't let us have any silly excuses.Nora [taking a step towards him]: Torvald—!Helmer: Miserable creature—what have you done?Nora: Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself.Helmer: No tragic airs, please. [Locks the hall door.] Here you shall stay and give me an explanation. Do you understand what you have done? Answer me! Do you understand what you have done?

“True? Is this true, that I read here?”

“No, no—it is impossible that it can be true.”

“Miserable creature—what have you done?”

“Here you shall stay and give me an explanation.”

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A Doll’s House, Part 3: Theme and Society Answers

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