Appearance and reality

Question 1

Act 1
“Just think about how a man which a thing like that on his conscience will always be having to lie and cheat…he can never drop the mask, not when with his own wife and children” - Torvald

Answer 1

•Torvald’s moral superiority and reference to a “mask” is ironic as Ibsen later exposed his own marriage as a sham
•Torvald’s list of misdeeds emphasis his disgust
•This lecture signals the beginning of her mental decline

Question 2

Act 2
“Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice and do as she wants” - Nora

Answer 2

•Child-like language suggests last attempt at playing her obedient role
•Uses his pet names in the third-person voice to present diminished identity
•Wishes to do tricks- falseness in marriage

Question 3

Act 2
“Now Dr Rank, cheer up. You’ll see tomorrow how nicely I can dance. And you can pretend i’m doing it just for you-and for Torvald as well, of course” - Nora

Answer 3

•Ibsen implies a level of deception based on appearance:
-Nora says he should cheer uo and appear happy despite his illness
-She says jer dance will appear like it is for whoever is watching