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.

These names suggest that he perceives her as a child because he keeps calling her animal
names like songbird and spendthrift. These are normally names that you wouldn’t call anyone.
It shows that Torvald doesn’t respect her because he calls her all these names that usually don’t
have much respect. These names also don’t have much meaning other than endearment but at
the same time, it’s disrespectful and doesn’t show much respect towards Nora.

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

Nora married well and said she’s happy. While Krisitine married someone who was bad and
doesn’t have much money. While on the surface Nora may seem to have the better life because
she has more money and is able to afford nicer things, Kristine is more independent. Kristine is
more independent because she doesn’t have a husband who is extremely controlling. Overall
she is more independent because she has to make her own money and doesn’t have anyone
controlling her. Nora, on the other hand, is really dependent on Torvald. She has to always ask
him for money and he also has set many rules for her.

3. What might be the link between Nora’s “contraband” macaroons and her “huge desire to say
– to hell and be damned?” Explain.

When Kristine brings her sweets such as macaroons, she still eats them. Nora even makes it
apparent that Torvald doesn’t allow her to eat sweets. Nora knows that Torvald sets these rules
such as not eating sweets or swearing. Her going against these commands show that she
doesn’t care much about Torvald’s commands. Although when Nora is around Torvald, she
doesn’t obey his commands. Nora only cares about what he says around him because in the
end, Nora is still pretty dependent on Torvald.

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

The crime Nora commited was that she forged her dead father’s signature when borrowing
money from Krogstad. He didn’t notice this initially but it was brought up when Krogstad found
out that he was about to lose his position at the bank. He used that crime that Nora commited
to black mail her to convince her husband to let Krogstad keep his position at the bank. Nora
doesn’t want her husband to find this out.

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

I think her motives somewhat excuse her actions but at the same time maybe she didn’t go to
Italy all because her husband was sick. It seems as though she may have also gone for her
enjoyment.

6. What does Nora’s tree decorating and chattering at the end of Act I reveal about her
character?
It shows that there are many things that Nora is hiding. She also seems very nervous and afraid
for others to find out especially her husband because she is so dependent on him and that
would affect their relationship.