DH3.Questions+6-10

6. When Mrs. Linde says Nora “must tell [her] husband all about it,” Nora replies “I knew it”. What does Nora mean? When Helmer returns home, Nora pleads him again to let Krogstad keep his job in the bank. Helmer refuses to because he insists that Krogstad is an immoral person, since he forged signatures. However, Nora must convince him to keep Krogstad’s job in order for Krogstad to not tell Helmer of Nora’s faults.

7. Why does Ibsen include the scene in which Helmer tries to convince Mrs. Linde to take up embroidery rather than knitting?

Because it shows Helmer’s prejudiced view on gender roles, he tries to convince her to take up embroidery rather than knitting because embroidery is a more graceful pastime than knitting. This proves that he thinks that a woman’s role is to be very elegant and proper.

8. What are Helmer’s intentions regarding Nora after the dance?

Unable to endure his romantic desires towards Nora after the tarantella and drinks, Torvald forcefully brought Nora back home from the party. He reveals to Nora that he was fantasizing about how she was his "secret darling, secret young bride to be" (pg. 101). When Nora openly denies his gesture of affection, Torvald questions "Why shouldn't I look at my dearest possesion? At all that loveliness that's mine, mine alone, completely mine?". This statement suggests that Torvald views Nora as more of an object than an individual.

9. How does Ibsen emphasize Helmer’s tendency to reshape the world according to his own emotional needs?

Helmer drags Nora away from the dance they were attending, emphasizing her tendency to reshape the world according to his own emotional needs. He believed that “an exit should always be effective” (p99), which is why he decided to take Nora away from the ballroom as soon as she finished dancing her tarantella. His decision to neglect Nora’s own wants and control her actions is an example of his tendency to reshape the world according to his own needs.

10. What are Nora and Doctor Rank referring to when they talk about Doctor Rank’s well-spent day and his scientific investigations?

"Doctor Rank, you must have been occupied with some scientific investigation today." They are referring to the fact that Doctor Rank has a terminal illnes s. In the conversation Helmer's condescending tone towards Nora is still prevalent. "Just listen!—little Nora talking about scientific investigations!" He is completely oblivious of the fact that Dr. Rank has a crush on Nora, and the possibility that they are referring to something that is much more serious than "scientific investigations".

DH3.Questions 11-15