Page 112 Nora’s intentions are always carrying an underlying tone that dissuade her true

intentions due to her irreproachable nature. This is seen with the denotation
and connotation of her actions rather than her words. On page 112, Nora
pleads with Torvald, stating that he, “could give [Nora] money” (112).
Although this is the beginning of the play and any pragmatic viewer would
assume Nora to be a gold digger, the hidden meaning is far from the truth. The
author Henrik Ibsen uses foreshadowing in order to lure the audience onto
supposing a different narrative. This is later confirmed as Nora announces, “if
you only knew what a lot of expenses we larks and squirrels have, Torvald”
(112). The denotation of these actions suggest that Nora is a money centered
“spendthrift” however the connotation, unraveled later in the play, suggest that
Nora is saving to pay off her debt that saved Torvald’s life. Torvald also
referred to Nora as his little squirrel, Nora twists this definition to apply to all
wives. Her stating of the debts that the larks and squirrels have is a reference
to the unknown and often unpaid work that wives have to deal with. Ibsen,
criticizing gender roles at the time, states a clear stance on how husbands
often undervalue the labor their spouses exert without recognition.

Page 163 On page 163, Nora is dancing with the help of her husband and Dr. Rank. She
is doing so poorly in order to dissuade her husband from opening a letter from
Krogstad revealing her secrets that may lead her to her own downfall. As she
is dancing intensely, Torvald comments on how, “you’re dancing as if your
life depends on it”, and Nora replies “And so it does” (163). This again returns
to the denotation and connotation but in her words. Her husband assumes that
she is dancing because she wishes to impress him. However, the connotations
of her words suggest she feels so drastically about the situation she is given,
her dancing is prolonging her life. Her life is not treated although she may
state such, her life is a hyperbole as it means her figurative one and not
physical. She will lose everything she has worked so hard to maintain.
Believing that she will lose her husband because of the fact that she saved
him. This explores another topic of irony seen. This irony from HTRLLAP is
a literary technique that in this case highlights the struggle of women.
Showcasing that whatever you do, with whatever intention, can lead to a bad
result. Another case of irony is the one of Torvald. Torvald when he states that
Nora is dancing with her life on the line is somewhat dramatic irony. Where
Torvald playfully states an observation but the audience and Nora with more
information see the tragic side. His comment highlights the unknowingness of
husbands when it comes to their wives. Treating them as objects that have no
other life other than revolving their partner. This unknowingness will
eventually turn from ignorance to awareness later, but at this time, the irony
used calls attention to gender roles and the lack of spousal understanding.