a dolls house

Question 1

symbolism of torvalds nicknames

Answer 1

• his childlike perception of Nora
• dehumanising
• gender stereotypes / discrimination
• connotes inferiority, weakness and helplessness

Question 2

symbolism of the mailbox keys

Answer 2

• he’s in control of them, always has them

- symbolises control in their marriage

Question 3

symbolism of domestication

Answer 3

• Nora always gravitates towards the stove as if the pull of submissive domestication is too strong
• put in her place in society

Question 4

symbolism of Mrs linde

Answer 4

• allows the cycle of domestication to continue
• she espouses the views of womanhood
• complete opposite of Nora
• women have become indoctrinated into thinking they have no personal freedom
• women don’t work for themselves, but for others

Question 5

symbolism of Nora’s costume

Answer 5

• her whole life is a mere facade, simply a dress up game
• taking off costume: metaphorically stripped the patriarchal shackles and abandoned inauthentic patriarchal marriage
• removing costume of lies, showing her true self

Question 6

symbolism of Nora slamming the door

Answer 6

• closing this chapter of her life
• leaves torvald to be alone in a patriarchal society
• representing women’s revolutionary future in seeking challenges, identity and dignity

Question 7

symbolism of the title

Answer 7

• they are all mere toys in a dolls house
• whole life is a facade / game
• no real sense of self just possessions

Question 8

theme of marriage

Answer 8

• true marriage is a joining of equals
• married in a patriarchal society were the man has the power of the relationship
• in wedlock they cannot be who they truly are and live in a mere facade

Question 9

theme of women and femininity

Answer 9

• torvald has particular views on women (childlike, can’t handle work / power / money)
• submissive / dominant over them
• Nora eventually breaks free of the stereotypes

Question 10

theme of men and masculinity

Answer 10

• must be providers, bear the burdens
• must be infallible kings
• torvald is a prisoner / product of a patriarchal society

Question 11

theme of the home

Answer 11

• appears to be a happy household
• all a mere facade
• more of a prison than a shelter

Question 12

theme of reputation

Answer 12

• obsessed with reputations and other peoples opinions

- set in a private home but the public eye is always looking in and taken into account for

Question 13

theme of lies and deceit

Answer 13

• web of lies gets too tight for the weak marriage to bear

Question 14

theme of money

Answer 14

• how much money you have defines you
• women are not allowed to be in charge of money
• key feature of society
• causes all of the problems in the play

Question 15

describe Nora in the beginning

Answer 15

• mischievous: act of rebellion (lying about sweets)
• appears to be happy, thankful, cheerful, caring
• very submissive, kindhearted, childlike, naive
• appears to genuinely love torvald and that they have a venue and affectionate relationship

Question 16

describe torvald in the beginning

Answer 16

• he distrusts his wife with money
• incredibly condescending, demeaning, patronising towards Nora (treats her like a child, nicknames)
• dominant partner in the marriage
• appears to care for his families future
• more educated / worldly than Nora

Question 17

describe the stereotypes of women

Answer 17

• need saving by a strong man
• same as children and need to be taken care of by a man
• aren’t intelligent and spend money carelessly
• weak and can’t do things without a man
• objects and men own them
• women should be mothers and spend time with their children and doing domesticated activities

Question 18

symbolism of macaroons

Answer 18

• secrecy and lies

- innocent act of rebellion / deceit