A Doll's House: Connection of Act 3

A Doll's House: Connections Within Act 3

Nora vs. Helmer

Summary

For most of the play we see Torvald treating Nora like his own doll and calling her several names. However, near the end of Act three there is a dramatic plot twist. After the party has ended Torvald tries to seduce Nora into sleeping with her but Nora tells him that she is not in the mood. Dr.Rank enters the scene super drunk and makes allusions that he is going to die soon and then leaves. Soon after, Torvald goes to open the mailbox and finds a couple letters, some were from Rank which had Black crosses on them. Nora explains that it is his way of announcing his death. Torvald griefs over friend Dr.Rank and tells Nora that if she was in any danger he would save her. When Nora heard what Torvald said about her saving her, she told him to open Krogstad’s letter thinking that he will understand and forgive her. Once Torvald opens and reads Krogstad's letter he gets furious at Nora. He gets so mad that he starts telling her that she is a terrible person and that she is a hypocrite, liar and a criminal. He also tells Nora that she is not allowed near the children because he does not trust her with anything anymore.

Summary cont..

Shortly after, another letter from Krogstad comes in and in that letter Krogstad explains that he will no longer blackmail them. Suddenly Torvald becomes very happy and forgives Nora. Krogstad panicked no because he cared about what would happen to Nora but what would happen to his reputation. Nora’s eyes opened once she saw Torvalds selfish reaction to Krogstad's letter. She expected torvald to sacrifice himself for her and take all the blame but instead he shows how he will always put himself first before others. Once Nora realizes that she was only a doll in his eyes and that they never had a real marriage she decides to leave him and start a new life. After her “serious conversation” that she states they never had with Torvald she realizes that she has spent her entire life being loved not for who she is but for the role she plays.

Discussion Questions

Cont...

At one point Torvald states that no man can sacrifice his honor for love, but Nora retorts that many women have done so. For her entire life she has been treated like a doll, first her father then Torvald. She also realizes that she was never happy with Torvald and how he treated her. Therefore, she tells him that after tonight he will be nothing but a stranger to her, but he begs her to stay. However, she refuses and returns her wedding ring and keys. She Tells him that she'd only come back if the most wonderful thing of all were to happen,that instead of just living together they had a true marriage. Shortly after she exits.

1. While reading this play, specifically Act 3, do you believe Nora was right for leaving Torvald and her family behind.

2. Why does Nora want Helmer to read the letter? Why doesn't she continue to keep a secret?

Media Component

Themes

Traditional gender roles

Reputation

• Nora opposing to the idea of committing to Torvald

• during this time period women are downgraded and seen as hopeless.

• within Act 3 we specifically observe Torvald blaming Nora for plagiarizing her father's signature in a form that he will end up looking bad.

• Nora can be described as trapped as she is unable to promote decisions for herself as the masculinity within the house takes over.

• quote... helps state Torvald’s reputation loss and why he is so upset with her.

Significance of Quotes

• indicates his lack of love for Nora as he labels himself higher than her

• By Nora being a woman, she has disrespected him and his role in society.

#1

“To take off my masquerade dress” (page 41)

• This quote illustrates Nora revealing her true self.

• referring to the idea of removing the large act that she uses to put up for him

#2

• She becomes powerful for a woman living in the 1800’s and is willing to leave her family behind in order to address women empowerment.

• “masquerade dress” analyzes the idea of masking behind someone you’re not, and in this case it is to please another person.

“Here I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I used to be papa’s doll-child” (page 42)

#3

• describes Nora’s marriage with Torvald and the house which they live in as a doll-house.

• referring to the idea of someone being controlled over and used as an object.

“That I no longer believe. I believe that before all else I am a human being, just as much as you are- or at least that I should try to become one. I know that most people agree with you, Torvald, and that they say so in books. But henceforth I can't be satisfied with what most people say, and what is in books. I must think things out for myself, and try to get clear about them.” (page 43)

• aids in identifying the transformation of Nora, primarily starting off as a controlled and powerless wife to standing up for her beliefs as being treated correctly.

• manipulation from the men in her life

• as she uses references to books, she is indicating the common image that both genders are places with

• Nora decides to change the rules and use her own ideas and focus on herself

• indicates independence for oneself as she is revealing that she will not be focusing on her husband and kids, but for herself

Analysis of Symbols

Nora's Masquerade dress

Represents Nora's secrecy and the death of the old character she used to be

The masquerade dress symbolized the pretenses that she puts on throughout the play

once she removes the dress , she reveals her true self and becomes a new person

Locked mailbox

Represents control, secrecy and power

Mailbox is Nora's life - Without the key she cannot have her freedom

Key is Torvald- Has power over the mailbox (Nora)

ALSO

-Mailbox represents secrecy

Nora's life and all her secrets inside the mailbox

- Key to unlock represents revealing her secrets

- Once Torvald opened the mailbox Nora's secrets revealed

Icy black water

"Oh that black, icy water! Oh that bottomless-! If it were only over!" (Ibsen,39)

- Represents several things

1.Society

2.Torvald

- Both pressure and force Nora to be this typical Housewife.

- Both isolate Nora into doing what she wants to do and instead control her

3.Nora's Feelings

- describes how Nora is drowning under her own feelings

- connect to her suicide