Act-by-Act Summary of "A Doll's House"
Act One: The play opens during Christmas at the Helmer residence. Nora Helmer appears as a seemingly naive and childlike wife. Her husband, Torvald, treats her like a pet, using condescending nicknames. He forbids her from eating macaroons. Nora, however, secretly harbors a significant debt. She borrowed money years ago to finance a trip to Italy. This trip was necessary to save Torvald's life from a severe illness. She forged her dying father's signature to secure the loan. Krogstad, a lawyer with a tarnished reputation, holds Nora's bond. He works at Torvald's bank and faces dismissal. Krogstad threatens to expose Nora's forgery if she doesn't persuade Torvald to keep him employed. Mrs. Linde, Nora's old friend, arrives seeking employment. Torvald offers her a position at the bank, replacing Krogstad. This intensifies Nora's desperate situation. Dr. Rank, a family friend, also visits. He secretly loves Nora and suffers from a debilitating illness.
Act Two: Nora's anxiety escalates as Christmas approaches. She becomes increasingly agitated and isolated. She tries to convince Torvald to reinstate Krogstad, but Torvald remains firm. He is concerned about his public image. He also believes Krogstad is morally corrupt. Nora becomes more desperate. She hints at her secret to Mrs. Linde. She even contemplates taking her own life. Dr. Rank reveals his terminal illness to Nora. He confesses his love for her. Nora is deeply touched but also burdened by his confession. She cannot ask him for financial help. Krogstad arrives again. He has been dismissed and is furious. He slips a letter into Torvald's locked mailbox, revealing Nora's forgery. Nora desperately tries to distract Torvald. She rehearses a Tarantella dance, begging him to delay opening the mail. Her performance grows increasingly frantic.
Act Three: Torvald finally opens his mailbox after the Christmas party. He reads Krogstad's letter and explodes in anger. His primary concern is his own reputation and public image. He condemns Nora as a criminal and a hypocrite. He declares she is unfit to raise their children. He states that their marriage will continue only in appearance. A second letter from Krogstad arrives. It contains Nora's bond and his retraction of the accusation. Krogstad, influenced by Mrs. Linde, has changed his mind. Mrs. Linde reconciled with Krogstad, promising to help him rebuild his life. Torvald is instantly relieved and forgiving. He believes the crisis is over. He is concerned only that the public never learns of the incident.
Nora, however, experiences a profound awakening. She sees Torvald's true character. His reaction to the forgery exposed his self-centeredness. He valued his reputation above her well-being or their shared life. She realizes she has been living in a "doll's house." Both her father and Torvald treated her as a plaything, not an equal. She understands her true identity has been suppressed.
Nora confronts Torvald with her realisation. She explains her need to understand herself and the world. She believes she has been living a lie. Torvald is completely bewildered by her sudden transformation. He cannot comprehend her desire for independence. He tries to appeal to her wifely and motherly duties. He uses emotional manipulation to make her stay.
Nora explains that she must leave to discover her own identity. She needs to learn about life and society on her own terms. She recognizes that she is not a fit wife or mother until she understands herself. She tells Torvald that their marriage is a sham. There is no longer any hope for a "wonderful thing" (a true partnership) to happen between them.
The play culminates in Nora's shocking departure. She leaves Torvald and her children. This act defies all societal expectations of a woman in 19th-century Europe. She walks out, slamming the door behind her. This sound symbolizes the breaking of societal conventions and the beginning of her journey toward self-discovery. The play ends on a note of uncertainty. It leaves the audience to ponder Nora's future and the implications of her radical choice.
Objective Multiple-Choice Questions
Henrik Ibsen is often referred to as the:
(A) Father of modern poetry
(B) Father of modern drama
(C) Father of the novel
(D) Father of realism in painting
Answer: (B)"A Doll's House" was first performed in which year?
(A) 1859
(B) 1879
(C) 1899
(D) 1909
Answer: (B)What does Torvald forbid Nora from eating?
(A) Chocolates
(B) Macaroons
(C) Cake
(D) Cookies
Answer: (B)Why did Nora secretly borrow money years ago?
(A) To buy a new house
(B) To finance a trip to save Torvald's life
(C) To invest in a business
(D) To pay off gambling debts
Answer: (B)Whose signature did Nora forge to secure the loan?
(A) Her mother's
(B) Her brother's
(C) Her dying father's
(D) Torvald's
Answer: (C)Who holds Nora's bond and threatens to expose her forgery?
(A) Dr. Rank
(B) Mrs. Linde
(C) Krogstad
(D) Bob Helmer
Answer: (C)What is Krogstad's position at Torvald's bank at the beginning of the play?
(A) Manager
(B) Lawyer
(C) Clerk
(D) Director
Answer: (B)Who replaces Krogstad at the bank?
(A) Nora
(B) Dr. Rank
(C) Mrs. Linde
(D) A new employee from outside
Answer: (C)What is Dr. Rank's secret concerning Nora?
(A) He dislikes her
(B) He secretly loves her
(C) He is her secret brother
(D) He owes her money
Answer: (B)What illness does Dr. Rank suffer from?
(A) A heart condition
(B) A terminal spinal disease
(C) Tuberculosis
(D) Blindness
Answer: (B)Why does Torvald refuse to reinstate Krogstad?
(A) Krogstad is too old
(B) He is concerned about his public image and Krogstad's moral standing
(C) Krogstad demanded too much salary
(D) He wants to hire Mrs. Linde instead
Answer: (B)What does Krogstad do to reveal Nora's secret to Torvald?
(A) He tells Dr. Rank
(B) He sends a telegram
(C) He slips a letter into Torvald's mailbox
(D) He confronts Torvald directly
Answer: (C)What dance does Nora frantically rehearse to distract Torvald?
(A) A waltz
(B) A polka
(C) A tango
(D) A tarantella
Answer: (D)What is Torvald's initial reaction upon reading Krogstad's first letter?
(A) Calm and understanding
(B) Deeply saddened
(C) Furious and concerned about his reputation
(D) Amused
Answer: (C)What does Torvald declare about Nora's role after learning of the forgery?
(A) She must immediately leave the house.
(B) Their marriage will continue only in appearance.
(C) She must apologize publicly.
(D) She must confess to the authorities.
Answer: (B)Who is responsible for Krogstad changing his mind and retracting his accusation?
(A) Dr. Rank
(B) Torvald
(C) Nora's father
(D) Mrs. Linde
Answer: (D)What does Nora realize about her life after Torvald's reaction?
(A) She is truly happy in her marriage.
(B) She has been living in a "doll's house."
(C) Torvald genuinely loves her more than himself.
(D) She should have asked for help sooner.
Answer: (B)How does Torvald view Nora throughout much of the play?
(A) As an equal partner
(B) As a responsible adult
(C) As a pet or doll
(D) As his intellectual superior
Answer: (C)What is Nora's primary reason for leaving Torvald?
(A) To escape her debts
(B) To seek a new love interest
(C) To discover her own identity and self
(D) To punish Torvald
Answer: (C)What does Nora realize she needs to learn about?
(A) Cooking and cleaning
(B) Knitting and sewing
(C) Herself and the world
(D) Playing the piano
Answer: (C)What does Nora believe about her fitness as a wife and mother before leaving?
(A) She is perfectly fit.
(B) She is unfit until she understands herself.
(C) She needs a new home to be a better mother.
(D) She is only fit to be a wife, not a mother.
Answer: (B)What symbolizes the breaking of societal conventions at the end of the play?
(A) Nora's silent departure
(B) Torvald's tears
(C) The slamming of the door
(D) The Christmas tree falling over
Answer: (C)Which character has a "tarnished reputation" due to past forgery?
(A) Torvald Helmer
(B) Dr. Rank
(C) Krogstad
(D) Mrs. Linde
Answer: (C)The "wonderful thing" that Nora hopes for in the play refers to:
(A) Torvald getting a promotion
(B) A true partnership and understanding in her marriage
(C) Dr. Rank recovering from his illness
(D) Her father returning
Answer: (B)"A Doll's House" is considered controversial for its time because of its portrayal of:
(A) Financial scandals
(B) Women's struggle for individuality and marital roles
(C) Terminal illness
(D) Holiday traditions
Answer: (B)
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