A Doll’s House 

Act I Discussion Questions

1. From the beginning of Act I, Torvald calls Nora several pet names. What do these names
suggest about Torvald’s perception of his wife and his marriage? Explain.

From my perspective the type of pet names he uses makes her seem like a child. It’s
pretty uncomfortable. It’s also disrespectful. He is depicting women like they are less than and
are incompitent. Also because the names are inconsistent it shows that there isn’t an emotional
connection there which could mean that their relationship isn’t super sincere and genuine. Also
because Torvald is the only one using nicknames the relationship is unequal.

2. Compare Nora’s and Kristine’s lives since marriage. Who is better off? Explain.

Kristine is now a widow who has been left with nothing. Not even children. When she
did marry it was not out of love it was necessity. Nora has three kids and a very well off
husband with a lot of money. Nora has been working a lot in the home and went to italy. Nora
is a lot better off financially and still has support from her husband. So I think she’s better off?

3. What might be the link between Nora’s “contraband” macaroons and her “huge desire to say
– to hell and be damned?” Explain.
She’s going against Helmer’s wishes by taking the macaroons, which in some sense
would be committing a “sin”. By doing this she’s knowingly sending herself to “hell”, but she
doesn’t care about the rules. She’s doing something wrong because it will bring her personal
pleasure. Which is why she wants to say “to hell and be damned”.

4. What crime has Nora committed? Why was this a problem?

She has taken money from Krogstad to pay for Helmer’s health trip to Italy by forging
her father’s signature on a document. She put the wrong date and confessed to a fraud. Now
she is in debt and being blackmailed by Krogstad.

5. Do Nora’s motives for committing the crime excuse her in some way? Explain.

“The law cares nothing about motives..foolish or not”(pg34). Her motives behind
committing the crime were good in heart and out of love. She just wanted to save her
husband’s life and possibly his pride. However, if she was exposed she would have to deal with
the consequences. The law doesn’t stop for one person doing something bad with a good heart.
They might alter the punishments, but the fact that she committed a crime sentences her to
consequences.
6. What does Nora’s tree decorating and chattering at the end of Act I reveal about her
character?

She’s trying to avoid the fact that she has committed something dreadful. This shows
that she’s nervous about her past and is trying to redirect the conversation. Her true self is very
internal, and she has a pretty shady past. By going to the christmas tree, she gives Torvald the
impression that her mind is elsewhere and she’s not taking the conversation personally.