Nora+Helmer

Post a significant quotation below ( **arranged in chronological order** ) and explain why you find it striking (l **imiting yourself to 2-3 sentences). Avoid using the phrase "this quotation" or "this quote".**
 * Something About 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." **// Here, Nora claims that she will be soon be “free”. I interpret this as her finally paying off the last of Krogstad’s debts and becoming worry free. What’s ironic about this line is that she what she looks forward to, time with her children, time cleaning up the house, is exactly what denies her of her personal freedom later on in the play. Michael Ren

//**“I want to think only of you today. But there is something I must tell you.”** (Act I pg 49)// Nora's self centered-ness is apparent. She states that she only cares about her friend Kristine, but is unable to contain herself and share her own good news first. Jerry

Nora states that she will only tell Torvald the truth about her earning money when Torvald loses interest in her. This reveals the shallow relationship they have; Torvald treats Nora like a doll, controlling her appearance and actions exactly the way he wants her to be. Wendy
 * //"I only mean when Torvald loves me less than now, when he stops enjoying my dancing and dressing up and reciting for him."//** //(Act I p 55)//

//**“I have a such a huge desire to say - to hell and be damned!”** (Act I pg 59)// By saying such a terrible thing (in the opinion of her peers), Nora’s independence and boldness is revealed. She dares to say anything and be herself (when not with Helmer), and is completely and utterly rebellious. Riowena

**“A daughter hasn’t the right to protect her dying father from anxiety and care? A wife hasn’t the right to save her husband’s life? I don’t know much about laws, but I’m sure that somewhere in the books these things are allowed.”** (Act I pg.67) Nora makes the point that her intentions were good, because they were helping her husband from dying and protecting her father from worrying. She believes that her actions are not wrong, and that there is definitely an exception due to her circumstance. This depicts Nora’s ignorance, as she does not realize what is right from wrong. Shavonne

Nora's desperate and pleading tone delineates how well she understands Torvald as he will soon find out about the loan. This event also highlights her own internal struggle between independence and life as she knows it. Henry
 * "I'll do anything to please you, Torvald."** (Act 1 p.68)

I feel Nora has a very powerful tone in this line and that it manages to express her determination of gaining her own freedom, one that is free of Torvald and other societal constraints on Nora. Oliver
 * "When I'm gone from this world, you'll be free."** (Act III pg 106)

The dry tone and the conventional expression of gratitude stresses Nora's transformation from a naive and childlike woman into a more realistic and grown-up woman. The stage directions reveal that she does not hesitate in taking actions but is very firm and determined, adding to her significant change in character. HeRa
 * "My thanks for your forgiveness."** (//She goes out through the door, right.)// (Act III pg 107)

Although Nora and Helmer are in a relationship and married, their relationship does not resemble “real” relationships; a large part of their marriage is based on lies, Helmer does not seem to see and treat Nora as a grown up individual and Nora is unaware of too many parts of Helmer’s life. The ironies in this quote are almost funny; Nora and Helmer are only husband and wife on paper, and eight years is a ridiculous long time to wait before a first serious conversation. **(Jocelyn)**
 * “We have been married now eight years. Does it not occur to you that this is the first time we two, you and I, husband and wife, have had a serious conversation?” (ACT III, P108-109)**

**" I have been performing tricks for you, Torvald. That’s how I’ve survived. You wanted it like that. You and Papa have done me a great wrong. It’s because of you I’ve made nothing of my life." (Act III)** Nora reflects on her marriage with Torvald. She recognizes that she has been treated like a doll/object her entire life; first by her father, and now by Torvald. She comes to a realization that their relationship has prevented her from reaching her potential, and ultimately leaves him in order to make something out of her life. (Valerie)

While Nora finds herself forced to confront Torvald about the things she has kept from him, she comes to a growing realization that the life she is leading is one that she doesn't want. She begins to reassess what her true "duties" are and through a strong tone while retaliating against Torvald's remarks, Nora is headed towards an independent future of self discovery. (Maryanne)
 * "No, I don't. But now I'll begin to learn for myself. I'll try to discover who's right, the world or I." Pg 111 **