English Paper 2

Page 41: Firdaus hides her true emotions for her teacher, Miss Iqbal, after Wafeya, her close friend, asks whether Firdaus is in love with her.  

“Yes, I agreed, but she’s a woman. How could I be in love with a woman?”

Act one → Nora describes to Mrs Linde how she’s aware that eventually, Tovald will not be as in love with her

“NORA: I mean, of course, a time will come when Torvald is not as devoted to me,”

Page 46: When Firdaus’s aunt-in-law suggests that Firdaus go to university to continue her studies, her uncle rejects the option.

“To the university? To a place where she will be sitting by side with men?”

Act one → during the conversation with Mrs Linde, Nora claims that she will be “free” after the New Year and after she has paid off her debt to Krogstad

“NORA: Free. To be free, absolutely free. To spend time playing with the children. To have a clean, beautiful house, the way Torvald likes it.”

Page 59: Firdaus’s aunt-in-law attempts to normalise the tendency of a man beating his wife.

“A virtuous woman was not supposed to complain about her husband. Her duty was perfect obedience.”

Page 58: Firdaus explains how her husband, Sheikh Marhmoud, would often beat her.

“On one occasion, he hit me all over with his shoe. My face and body became swollen and bruised.”

Page 16: It’s here that Firdaus is circumcised by a woman arranged by her mother

“They cut off a piece of flesh from between my thighs. I cried all night”

Page 67: Bayoumi’s client verbally attacks Firdaus while he sexually exploits her.

“Slut, Bit*h”

Page 72: Sharifa, the high-class prostitute who takes Firdaus under her wing to exploit her, gives Firdaus advice that Firdaus still doesn't understand. She attempts to warn her that in a cruel system, one must also become cruel.

“My skin is soft, but my heart is cruel, and my bite is deadly.”

Act three → Following the costume party, Nora and Tovald wait together downstairs, an intimate moment shortly interrupted by Dr Rank.

Helmer: “Why shouldn’t I look at my dearest treasure?—at all the beauty that is mine, all my very own?”

Page 98: Firdaus expresses her love for Ibrahim, a man she believes truly cares for her.

“Love has made me a different person. It has made the world beautiful.”

Act 2: When Krogstad confronts Nora for failing to convince her husband

Nora: I have courage enough for it now. 

Krogstad: Oh, you can’t frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you— 

Nora: You will see, you will see.

Page 117: After Firdaus finds out that Ibrahim is getting engaged to his boss’s daughter, she realises that women are placed in a systematically controlling society.

“Men impose deception on women and punish them for being deceived,”

“All women are victims of deception”

Page 117: After Firdaus finds out that Ibrahim is getting engaged to his boss’s daughter, she realises that gaining financial freedom through prostitution is better than enduring the harsh societal construct designed to oppress women. She realises that meeting societal expectations is worthless to her, unlike prostitution, which benefits her financially.

“A successful prostitute was better than a misled saint.”

Act three: Torvald, after reading the letter sent by Krogstad, hints at how he values his reputation over his love for his wife.

HELMER: “And I’m brought so pitifully low all because of a shitfless woman”

Page 124: Firdaus realises that women in a patriarchal society are all stripped of their freedom to an extent where they serve not themselves, but rather the men who designed this oppressive societal system.

“All women are prostitutes of one kind or another.”

Act three: Torvald questions Nora’s duty as a woman, wife, and mother. He attempts to preserve their relationship by imposing societal expectations on her.

NORA: “What do you consider is my most sacred duty?

HELMER: “Do I have to tell you that? Isn't it your duty to your husband and children?

Page 142, at the end of the book - The interviewer’s thoughts on Firdaus following their interaction shortly before Firdaus´ execution

“And because the world was full of lies, she had to pay the price.”

Act three: Nora realises that Torvald does not truly love her, and rather values her as a construct of his image. 

Nora: “It was this evening, when the miracle hadn't happened – because then I saw you weren't the man I had thought you were”

Page 119: Because society has stripped Firdaus of everything, she reaches the lowest point in her life, embracing freedom by shedding all desires, expectations, and fear of death. 

“I hope for nothing

I want for nothing

I fear nothing

I am free.”

Act three: Firdaus’ liberation from societal expectations. She embraces rebellion and seeks to break free from patriarchal constraints.

NORA: “I must find out which is right, the world or I”

Firdaus, after killing her pimp, Marzouk, who attempted to control her through sex work.

“I stuck the knife into almost every part of his body.”