IB English: Quote Bank A doll's House

Example of heredity theme said by helmer (2 quotes)

“These things are hereditary”, “Its in your blood”

Evidence of Nora showing a backbone in Scene 1

Little Nora isnt as silly as you think

Where does Nora show thoughts of leaving in Act 1

“Do you think they would forget their mother if she went away forever”

Evidence Nora shows she is more aware than she lets on

“And besides – he’s so proud of being a man – it’d be so painful and humiliating for him to know that he owed anything to me. It’d completely wreck our relationship.”

Helmer showing he cares about his appearances (after he reads the letter)

“Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence?”

What zoomorphic terms does Helmer describe Nora with

“skylark”, “squirrel”, “squander-bird”, “expensive pet”, “little creature”, “song-bird”

Helmers attitude towards money

No debts never borrow

Quote which sums up nora and helmers devices

“I’d never have believed this. You really have forgotten everything I taught you.”

Quotes showing Nora’s anagnorisis ?

“I’ve been your doll-wife here, just as at home I was Daddy’s doll-child.

What does Helmer say that makes Nora believe there can be a miracle but also gives an insight into his struggles as a man (Act 2)

“My shoulders are broad enough to bare the whole burden”

What does Krogstad describe Nora as when he says he is not scared of her

“A sensitive petted creature”

What does Krogstad say which reveals the power dynamic between him and nora (Act 2)

Your reputation is in my hands!

What is the significance of Nora saying. “31 hours to live” in act 3

She is calculating the days till Tarentella is over, in her mind, the ruining of her reputation = death; proverbs 31 in the bible also refered to the “virtous wife chapter”

How does Krogstad react to Christine’s profession

It is simply a woman’s romantic craving for self-sacrifice

Nora wishes Dr.Rank to “sleep well”, what is the significance of her asking him to say the same

It alludes to the death of the self which Dr Rank knows, deep down Nora seems to know that the truth = death

Nora taking power back from Torvald

says firmly “ Now you shall read your letters, Torvald”, “sit down Torvald”

After Torvald forgives Nora, what does he say about a man and his forgiveness

“The wife becomes his property…she has become at once his wife and his child”

How does nora respond to Torvald saying she is a wife and a mother

“before all else, I am a human being”

How does Nora react to T saying “you think and talk like a silly child”

“Very likely. But you neither think nor talk like the man I can share my life with”

What does Nora say about duty at the end (not sacred duty quote)

“I release you from all duties. You shall not feel yourself bound anymore than I shall”

Why is Torvald asking whether he can write to her significant?
How does Nora reply?

It brings back the symbol of a letter, Nora saying “No…never” suggests that she will never allow for men to take control of her life like that again.

why is Torvalds “flash of hope” significant at the end of the play.

The play is left very open endedly, we do not know whether he makes it better, this is Ibsen suggesting it is up to the audience as members of society to take it into their own hands.

What does mrs linde say which reveals the sacrificial expectation of women

"just unspeakably empty… no one to live for”

What does mrs linde say about castaways

castaways have a better chance of survival together than on their own

What is the significance of Krogstad saying he is a “shipwrecked man clinging to a spar,”

• Mrs. Linde clarifies that they are both “shipwrecked souls”

• implies that they are equals.

• In declaring their equality and partnering together, Mrs. L and K have a better chance at a future than a couple with an imbalance of power.

What does genteel mean

exaggerated politeness, refinement or respectability