DH1.Questions+51-54

After much sweet talking, Nora is unable to change Helmer’s mind in revoking Krogstad’s job at the bank. Her final comments illustrate her fear of Krogstad revealing her “wrong” doings to her husband and children. She feels especially helpless and devastated knowing that her actions may affect her children negatively (previous, Helmer points out, “Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother.”)
 * 51. What does Nora's final comment---"It's not true. It can't possibly be true."---say about her state of mind?**

Nora is depicted as the protagonist because she is the central character. However, the antagonist can be interpreted two ways, to either Krogstad or Torvald. I think the antagonist is Torvald because some parts of the play are written in order for the audience to sympathize with him and his situation, but Torvald on the other hand is restrictive, and turns out to be a complete hypocrite and coward when he discovers the crime Nora has committed in order to save his life. All characters can be considered round characters at the end of the play. Nora, Krogstad and Doctor Rank seem to be the more dynamic than Torvald and Mrs. Linde because of the background information and emotional response and actions towards their situations. Torvald and Mrs. Linde appear more static, however their characters become more dynamic towards the climax when Torvald reads the letter and when Mrs. Linde restarts her relationship with Krogstad.
 * 52. Looking over Act One, identify the protagonist and antagonist and classify Nora, Helmer, Krogstad, Mrs. Linde, and Doctor Rank as to whether they are round or flat characters.**

I think that Mrs. Linde serves as a foil to Nora. Mrs. Linde had a very rough early life, and no one doubts the fact that she had to work very hard and overcome many adversities just to survive. This comes in contrast with the relatively carefree Nora, who has a husband that is supporting her and all the money she could ever need. The character of Mrs. Linde was made in order the highlight the supposedly innocent side of Nora, highlighting her ignorance of the “real world” and her silly, girl like nature. For Helmer, it would appear that Krogstad could serve as a good foil for Torvald. Krogstad could be considered the 1870’s equivalent of an underworld criminal. He deals in all forms trickery and has a built up a very bad record over the years. This is a stark contrast to Torvald, who in his lawyer years apparently refused to even touch any case that had any indication of unclean involvement.
 * 53. Are lesser character used to create foils to Nora and Helmer?**

As of Act One, few of the main themes in the play have been fully developed. However, it is evident that events in Act One are setting up for the development of themes later in the play. One of the themes that has been established strongest in Act One is that people need their individuality. Nora begins to demonstrate her need for individuality by secretly eating macaroons even though Torvald told her otherwise. In addition, we learn that Nora has done something supposedly immoral or against society's norms, which shows her reach for individuality.
 * 54. What are the main themes of the play, as established in Act One?**