Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (1879, Act 3, pp. 567-581)
1. How would you compare Torvald’s communication with Nora to Mrs. Linden’s communication with Krogstad? After reading the first letter from Krogstad, Torvald tells Nora, “You have destroyed my whole happiness. You have ruined my future” (Act 3.575). Did Nora destroy Torvald’s happiness? What is important to Torvald? Does Torvald problematize the fact that Nora illegally forged her father’s signature and borrowed the money, or does he make a big deal that she borrowed the money from Krogstad? Then, Torvald explodes and tells Nora: “As for you and me, we must make no outward change in our way of life. . . . But the children cannot be left in your care. I dare not trust them to you” (Act 3. 576). What do you make of Torvald’s suggestion here? What does he really care about? (Please click Discussions to see questions #2 and 3)
2. After reading the second letter from Krogstad, Torvald becomes relieved and tells Nora: “I am saved! . . . I have forgiven you” (Act 3. 576). What is Torvald saved from? Did he “bear the whole burden” (Act 1, 558) after finding out Nora’s borrowing money from Krogstad? Is Nora saved by her husband? What do you make of Torvald’s changed attitude towards Nora? Does Torvald’s view of Nora as a liar and a criminal change after reading the second letter? Torvald says, “But no man sacrifices his honour, even for one he loves” (3. 580). What does he mean by “his honour”? Did Nora sacrifice her honor for the one she loves? Has Nora abandoned her duty as a wife (the wifely duty that she believes)? When Nora decides to leave Torvald, he blames her for “forsaking her holiest duties” as a wife and mother. Nora responds: “That I no longer believe” (Act 3, 579). Why does she no longer believe the socially prescribed gender roles? Has Torvald fulfilled his holy duty as a husband?
3. After reading the first letter from Krogstad, Torvald tells Nora that he cannot trust her and cannot leave the children in her care because she is a bad influence on her children. Does Torvald trust her after reading the second letter? Why does Torvald warn Nora that she should not “forsake her duties to her husband and children” (3.579) and that her decision to leave home is morally wrong? Did Torvald keep his duty as Nora’s husband? Why does Nora now feel unjust about her life and marriage? Nora tells Torvald that she must leave him to educate herself: “I must stand quite alone if I am ever to know myself and my surroundings; so I cannot stay with you” (Act 3.579). Why does Nora feel that she should fulfill her duty towards herself? Does she have to leave Torvald and the children to educate herself? Can Nora educate herself while staying home with Torvald, or should she educate herself (and learn who she is) without him to be a better mother for her children? Why is Nora saying “The way I am now I’m no use to them [her children]” (Act 3, 581)? What has prevented Nora from knowing who she is and developing her sense of individuality as a human being? Is Nora making an irrational decision of leaving Torvald and her children, or does she make the decision out of necessity?
