Dolls House quotes

Question 1

Lexical field of small animals
metaphor
dehumanise Nora and lower value
Makes Nora seem dependent
Disregard Nora as human
Possessive pronoun

Answer 1

“my skylark”
“my squirrel”

Question 2

Societal view of women
Patronising attitude
inequality of women

Answer 2

“how like a woman!”

Question 3

a juxtaposition of freedom and beauty as beauty is constricting concept

Answer 3

“A home that is founded on debts and borrowing can never be a place of freedom and beauty”

Question 4

pet = possession of Nora
dependent on Torvald - has to be taken care of to keep - odd phrasing - highlights societal views

Answer 4

“It is incredible what an expensive pet she is for a man to keep”

Question 5

Shows/Fakes obedience
Women’s inferiority depicted
Conditioning Torvald’s ego
Trying to convince him that she is the stereotype that he believes in

Answer 5

“You know I could never act against your wishes”

Question 6

Woman found joy in taking care of others Mrs Lindes only purpose in life

Answer 6

“Just unspeakably empty. No one to live for any more.”

Question 7

repetition - emphasise the word
delicate - refers to the nature of a woman and how she is planning to manipulate that concept

Answer 7

“I’ll lead up to it so delicately, so delicately; I’ll get him in the right mood”

Question 8

Nora is viewed as someone who is dependent
Cant take care of herself
child - simple-minded, not capable of complex thought

Answer 8

“You’re a child, Nora”

Question 9

Societal views put men as being superior and more dominant
Not supposed to follow the words of women

Answer 9

“It was his duty as a husband not to pander to my moods and caprices”

Question 10

Awareness of her own actions and societal views on women
Shows her intelligence and makes us question her previous dimwittedness

Answer 10

“When it no longer amuses him to see me dance and dress up and play the fool for him.”

Question 11

Shows that Nora doesn’t like typical role of women
Shows that she is more mature

Answer 11

“But it was great fun..it was almost like being a man.”

Question 12

being against society is treated as an illness. Dr Rank about Krogstad

Answer 12

“He’s crippled all right; morally twisted”

Question 13

lexical field of disease

Answer 13

“It’s that attitude that’s turning human society into a hospital.”

Question 14

Torvald views of male superiority seem to suggest that only women are supposed to take care of children

Answer 14

“Come, Mrs Linde. This is for mothers only.”

Question 15

Morals vs Legal Law

Answer 15

“Hasn’t a wife the right to save her husband’s life?”

Question 16

Shows Krogstad’s desperate nature
Paints him as a villain

Answer 16

“If I get thrown into the gutter for a second time, I shall take you with me.”

Question 17

shows the impact that reputation has on people’s lives
importance of societies view
reputation = respect

Answer 17

“Your father was not a man of unassailable reputation. But I am”

Question 18

Shows the role that man plays in a woman’s life

Answer 18

“I feel the same about Torvald as I did about papa.”

Question 19

child = belittles her intelligence
not ashamed to say it in front of others

Answer 19

“My child shall have her way.”

Question 20

She is secure with what will happen

Answer 20

“Thirty-one hours to live.”

Question 21

shows Krogstad and Christine’s efforts to survive in society
trying to gain respect

Answer 21

“You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to a spar… I’m in the same position as you.”

Question 22

shows the Mrs Linde sees Nora as a younger version of herself

Answer 22

“Nils, a woman who has sold herself once for the sake of others doesn’t make the same mistakes again.”

Question 23

thinks that her having opinions that defy his own makes her not human
- a technique of maintaining order and control

Answer 23

“Now my little songbird’s talking just like a real big human being.”

Question 24

literally thanking her
light = metaphor for being aware and illuminating the truth

Answer 24

“Thank you for the light.”

Question 25

Bold remark from Torvald
makes Nora think he will understand - the miracle?

Answer 25

“Do you know, Nora, often I wish some terrible danger might threaten you, so that I could offer my life and my blood, everything, for your sake.”

Question 26

only cares about the impact it has on his career

Answer 26

“You have ruined my whole future.”

Question 27

gesture suggests impatience
Nora = fed up with Torvald
Sit down = imperative = power dynamic is starting to shift significantly to Nora’s side

Answer 27

“It isn’t that late. Sit down there, Torvald. You and I have a lot to talk about.”

Question 28

Men in her life mimic the way society tells them
Acknowledges the fact that both men are the cause of her dependency

Answer 28

“A great wrong has been done to me, Torvald. First by papa, and then by you.”

Question 29

The truth behind the marriage revealed

Answer 29

“You have never loved me.”

Question 30

Women are property that are handed over

Answer 30

“I passed from papa’s hands into yours.”

Question 31

Aware that she is just part of system of being handed over constantly to a different man

Answer 31

“I’ve been your doll-wife, just as I used to be papa’s doll child”

Question 32

she doesn’t want to conform anymore
she wants to be independent
she is aware that Torvald doesn’t want change

Answer 32

“Torvald, you’re not the man to educate me into being the right wife for you.”

Question 33

Torvald still believes he has power in the house hold

Answer 33

“You’re out of your mind! You can’t do this! I forbid you!”

Question 34

women = not humans by Torvald and society in general
only there to serve

Answer 34

“Can you neglect your most sacred duties? … Your duties towards your husband, and your children.”

Question 35

Nora’s role in society

Answer 35

“First and foremost you are a wife and mother.”

Question 36

Nora believes that she is equal with men

Answer 36

“I believe that I am first and foremost a human being, like you.”

Question 37

refers to the things women are expected to do
even still he maintains the idea the respect = reputation and he won’t risk it

Answer 37

Torvald
“No man can be expected to sacrifice his honour, even for the person he loves.”

Nora
“Millions of women have done it.”

Question 38

Torvald’s desperation for her to maintain the appearance of the perfect marriage
Doesn’t really care about loving her only wants the respect that comes from it

Answer 38

“But can’t we live here as brother and sister, then -?