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Some individuals do actions that know no boundaries for people that they love. However, in the play A Doll’s House, unchecked selflessness has caused great tribulations to such people no matter their initial good intentions.
Nora is an excessively selfless character. Her dedication to her husband is unequalled. When her husband gets sick due to overworking, she borrows two fifty pounds from Krogstad to fund his trip to Italy for his healing. This is despite the fact that she could have easily borrowed from her father the money. She keeps this as a secret for many years for she does not want to injure his manhood. She has even planned to kill herself to prevent her husband from carrying her guilt. Unfortunately, Helmer cannot do such a thing for her, cannot sacrifice his honour for the one he loves. This is a great and painful lesson to Nora that her selflessness is her own undoing
Christine sacrificed her love for Krogstad to marry a man who was not of her choice and woman she did not leave. She instead marries a man who was well up financially so that she can take care of her bedridden mother and two younger brothers. This is a great selflessness on her part. Sacrificing her love life for another person even if it is a relative is not an easy thing. This later comes to heavily bear on her because the husband soon dies and leaves her childless and with nothing. Even the mother she was sacrificing for dies and the brothers grow up. This has made her a dejected widower.
Krogstad selflessness has cost him greatly. He confesses having committed an indiscretion, when he forged a name, a great risk to save his wife’s life. This action has ruined his moral reputation completely. He lives to regret this for after his action; every way was closed for him. His present tribulations can be attributed to this past action of his selflessness.
Again, Christine’s sacrifice and selflessness is witnessed in the way she helps Nora, her friend after she faces harassment from Krogstad. She gets out of her to do all she can to prevent the Helmers facing an impending repercussion from the vengeful blackmailing Krogstad. It is a great risk for her to trade her personal life for the sake of Nora her friend. Accepting Krogstad and being ready to be associated with such a character, whose name is spoiled and tainted beyond repair means that her reputation may also be ruined. She will also have to take care of Krogstad’s children which definitely will be a great financial burden to her. She seems not to consider all these possible scenarios as she pursues the goal of saving her friend.
Helping others is a virtue that all should strive to posses. However, one should not go overboard in doing so because it may be the cause of his or her own destruction.
marto answered the question on April 16, 2019 at 06:49
- Identify and explain four issues that happen in the play, A Doll’s House, against the expectations of the reader(Solved)
Identify and explain four issues that happen in the play, A Doll’s House, against the expectations of the reader
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- A marriage founded on falsehood and secrets is bound to fall apart. To what extent do you agree with the statement? Draw your illustrations from...(Solved)
A marriage founded on falsehood and secrets is bound to fall apart. To what extent do you agree with the statement? Draw your illustrations from the play A Doll’s House
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- The materialistic nature of Mrs. Linde and Nora leads to their unfulfilling lives.' Write a composition in support of this truth(Solved)
The materialistic nature of Mrs. Linde and Nora leads to their unfulfilling lives.' Write a composition in support of this truth
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Nora: I don’t believe that any longer. I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are – or at all events, that I must try and became one. I know quite well, Torvald that most people would think you right, and that views of that kind are to be found in books; but I can no longer content myself with what most people say, or with what is found in books. I must think over things for myself and get to understand them
HELMER: Can you not understand your place in your own home? Have you not a reliable guide in such matters as that? - have you no religion?
Nora: I am afraid, Torvald, I do not exactly know what religion is.
HELMER: What are you saying?
Nora: I know nothing but what the clergyman said, when I went to be confirmed. He told us that religion was this and that, and the other. When I am away from all this, and I am alone, I will look into that matter too. I will see if what the clergyman said is true, or at all events if it is true for me.
Helmer: This is unheard of in a girl of your age! But if religion cannot lead you alright, let me try and awaken your conscience. I suppose you have some moral sense? Or –answer me- am I to think you have none?
Nora: I assure you, Torvald that is not an easy question to answer. I really don’t know. The thing perplexes me all together. I only know that you and I look at it in a quite different light. I am learning, too, that the law is quite another thing from what I suppose; but I find it quite impossible to convince myself that the law is right. According to it a woman has no right to spare her old dying father, or to save her husband’s life. I can’t believe that.
Helmer: You talk like a child. You don’t understand the conditions of the world in which you live.
Nora: No, I don’t. But now I am going to try. I am going to see if I can make out who is right, the world or I.
Questions
1. Place this extract in its immediate context. (6 marks)
2. Discuss any two character traits of Helmer in this extract. (4 marks)
3. Give evidence that Nora is an assertive character (4 marks)
4. From elsewhere in the play how is Nora portrayed in a different light? (2 marks)
5. I do not exactly know what religion is.(Add a question tag) (1 mark)
6. In which way does Nora conflict with the law? (3 marks)
7. Discuss one major issue of concern addressed in this context (3 marks)
8. What is the mood in this context? Explain. (3 marks)
9. What is the meaning of the following words? (4 marks)
i) Religion
ii) Clergyman
iii) Conscience
iv) Perplexes
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the exatract below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Mrs. Linde: Is Doctor Rank a man of means?
Nora: Yes, he is.
Mrs. Linde: And has no one to provide for?
Nora: No, no one; but-
Mrs. Linde: And comes here every day?
Nora: Yes, I told you so.
Mrs. Linde: But how can this well –bred man be so tactless?
Nora: I don’t understand you at all
Mrs. Linde: Don’t prevaricate, Nora. Do you suppose I don’t guess who lent you the two hundred and Fifty pounds?
Nora: Are you out of your senses? How can you think of such a thing! A friend of ours who comes here every day! Do you realize what a horribly painful position that would be?
Mrs. Linde: Then it really isn’t he?
Nora: No, certainly not. It would never have entered into my head for a moment. Besides, he had no money to lend then; he came into his money afterwards.
Mrs. Linde: Well, I think that was lucky for you, my dear Nora.
Nora: No, it would never have come into my head to ask Doctor Rank. Although I am quite sure that if I had asked him-
Mrs. Linde: But of course you won’t.
Nora: Of course not. I have no reason to think it could possibly be necessary. But I am quite sure that if I told Doctor Rank
Mrs. Linde: Behind your husband’s back?
Nora: I must make an end of it with the other one, and that will be behind his back too. I must make an end of it with him.
Mrs. Linde: Yes, that is what I told you yesterday, but –
Nora: (walking up and down) A man can put a thing like that straight much easier than a woman –
Mrs. Linde: One’s husband, yes.
Nora: Nonsense! (Standing still) When you pay off a debt you get your bond back, don’t you?
Mrs. Linde: Yes, as a matter of course.
Nora: And can tear it into a hundred thousand pieces, and burn it up- the nasty dirty paper!
Mrs. Linde: (looks hard at her, lays down her sewing and gets up slowly) Nora, you are concealing something from me
Nora: Do I look as if I were?
Mrs. Linde: Something has happened to you since yesterday morning. Nora, what is it?
Questions
1. What happens immediately after this excerpt? (3 marks)
2. Discuss any two issues brought out in this excerpt (4 marks)
3. How is Mrs. Linde depicted in this extract? (4 marks)
4. In which ways does the playwright use dramatic irony in this excerpt? (4 marks)
5. Because you do as your husband wishes. Add a question tag (1 mark)
6. How effective is the use of humor in this extract? (2 marks)
7. From this excerpt, Helmer is hardworking. How is this character trait brought out elsewhere in the play and how does it complicate the drama (3 marks)
8. Give the meaning of the following (4 marks)
i) A man of means
ii) Prevaricate
iii) Horribly
iv) Concealing
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Nora:But it was absolutely necessary that he should not know! My goodness can’t you understand that? It was necessary he should have no idea what a dangerous condition he was in. It was to me that the doctors came and said that his life was in danger, and that the only thing to save him was to live in the south. Do you suppose I didn’t try, first of all, to get what I wanted as if it were for myself? I told him how much I should love to travel abroad like other young wives; I tried tears and entreaties with him; I told him that he ought to remember the condition
I was in, and that he ought to be kind and indulgent to me; I even hinted that he might raise a loan. That nearly made him angry, Christine. He said I was thoughtless, and that it was his duty as my husband not to indulge me in my whims and caprices– as I believe he called them. Very well, I thought, you must be saved – and that was how I came to devise a way out of the difficulty –
Mrs. Linde: And did your husband never get to know from your father that the money had come from him?
Nora: No, never. Papa died just at that time. I had meant to let him into the secret and beg him never to reveal it. But he was so ill then- alas, there never was any need to tell him
Mrs. Linde: Good heavens, no! How could you think so? A man who has such strong opinion about these things! And besides, how painful and humiliating it would be for Torvald, with his manly independence, to know that he owed me anything! It
would upset our mutual relations altogether; our beautiful happy home would no longer be what it is now
Mrs. Linde: Do you mean never to tell him about it?
Nora: (meditatively and with a half-smile) Yes – someday perhaps, after many years, when I am no longer as nice-looking as I am now. Don’t laugh at me! I mean,of course , when Torvald is no longer as devoted to me as he is now; when my dancing and dressing-up and reciting have paled on him ; then it may be a good thing to have something in reserve – (breaking off) What nonsense ! That time will never come. Now what do you think of my great secret, Christine? Do you still think I am of no use? I can tell you, too, that this affair has caused me a lot of worry. It has been by no means easy for me to meet my engagements punctually. I may tell you that there is something that is called, in business, quarterly interest and another thing called payment in installments and it is always so dreadfully difficult to manage them. I have had to save a little here and there
where I could, you understand. I have not been able to put a side much from housekeeping money for Torvald must have a good table. I could not let my children be shabbily dressed; I have felt obliged to use up all he gave me for them, the sweet little darlings
Questions
1. Briefly describe what happens before the events in this extract. (3 marks)
2. State and explain any two aspects of style used in this extract. (4 marks)
3. How is Mrs. Linde depicted in this extract? (4 marks)
4. What is the attitude of Mrs. Linde towards Nora? Explain (3 marks)
5. Explain how the 'imprudence' of Nora later complicates the events of the play. (2 marks)
6. Who is a shadow character in a play? In this extract identify one shadow character. What
is his/ her significance in the play? (3 marks)
7. Add a question tag:
A wife cannot borrow money without her husband’s consent. (1mark)
8. Explain the meaning of the following words (4 marks)
i) Indulgent
ii) Thoughtless
iii) Caprices
iv) Devoted
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Answer the following questions from the extract given below.(Solved)
Krogstad:Are you sure of that?
Mrs. Linde: Quite sure, but-
Krogstad:(with a searching look at her)Is that what it all means?-that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly. Is that it?
Mrs Linde: Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake doesn’t do it a second time.
Krogstad:I will ask for my letter back.
Mrslinde: No, no.
Krogstad: Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back-that it only concerns my dismissal-that he is not to read it-
Mrs. Linde: No Nils, you must not recall your letter.
Krogstad: But, tell me wasn’t it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet you here?
Mrs Linde: In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on
Krogstad: Very well, if you take the responsibility. But there is one thing I can do in any case and I shall do it at once.
Mrs Linde:(listening)You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are not safe a moment longer.
Krogstad:I will wait for you below.
Mrs Linde:Yes, do. You must see me back to my door-
Krogstad:I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life!
Questions
1. Explain what has happened before this excerpt. (4 marks)
2. Why does Krogstad say he would ask for his letter back? Explain (3 marks)
3. 'Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake doesn’t do it a second time.'
Briefly explain what makes Mrs. Linde saythis? (3 marks)
4. Identify one character trait of Mrs. Linde in this extract (2 marks)
5. What is so surprising in this extract? Explain. ( 2 marks)
6. 'But there is one thing I can do in any case and I shall do it at once.' What is it that Krogstad does and how does it affect the rest of the play? (4 marks)
7. 'I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life!' Rewrite beginning Never: (1 mark)
8. What makes Krogstad say that he has never had such good fortune in his life? (2 marks)
9. Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
i) At any cost
ii) Recall
iii) Elapsed
iv) Incredible things
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
Nora:Oh, yes, that one; but this is another. I ordered it. Torvald mustn’t know about it.
Rank:Oho! Then that was the great secret.
Nora:Of course. Just go in to him; he is sitting in the inner room. Keep him as long as-
Rank:Make your mind easy; I won’t let him escape. (Goes into the HELMER’S room)
Nora:(to the MAID)And he is standing waiting in the kitchen?
Maid:Yes; he came up the back stairs.
Nora:But didn’t you tell him no one was in?
Maid:Yes, but it was no good.
Nora:He won’t go away?
Maid:No; he says he won’t until he has seen you, ma’am.
Nora: Well, let him come in-but quietly. Helen, you mustn’t say anything about it to anyone. It is a surprise to my husband.
Maid: Yes, ma’am, I quite understand. (Exit.)
Nora: This dreadful thing is going to happen! It will happen in spite of me! No, no, no, it can’t happen-it shan’t happen!
Questions.
1. Place this excerpt in its immediate context. (4 marks)
2. What does 'it' refer to and what does it reveal about the character of Nora? (3 marks)
3. Identify and explain one type of irony in this excerpt. (2 marks)
4. Who is being referred to as he and why has he come? (3 marks)
5. Torvald mustn’t know about it. Add a question tag (1 mark)
6. Describe one theme raised in this extract. (2 marks)
7. What dreadful thing does Nora fear might happen? Explain your answer. (4 marks)
8. Describe the character of the maid (2 marks)
9. Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
i) Make your mind easy
ii) I won’t let him escape.
iii) It was no good
iv) Dreadful
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
- Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.(Solved)
SAMPLE EXTRACTS
Sample extract 1
Nora:I didn’t find it dull.
Helmer:(smilling)But there was precious little result, Nora.
Nora: Oh, you shouldn’t tease me about that again. How could I help the cat’s going in and tearing everything to pieces?
Helmer:Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.
Nora:Yes, it is really wonderful.
Helmer: This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands-
Nora: (clapping her hands) No, Tovald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! (taking his arm) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over-(A bell rings in the hall.) There’s the bell. (She tidies the room a little.) There’s someone at the door. What a nuisance!
Helmer: If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.
Maid: (in the doorway) A lady to see you, ma’am,--a stranger.
Nora: Ask her to come in.
Maid: (to Helmer)The doctor came at the same time, sir.
Helmer: Did he go straight into my room?
Maid: Yes, sir.
Questions
1. What does Nora refer to in her opening words in this extract? (2 marks)
2. What has happened that has made the couple happy? (2 marks)
3. Discuss two themes evident in this extract. (4 marks)
4. “There’s someone at the door.” Add a question tag (1 mark)
5. A lady has come to see Nora as reported by the maid. Who is this lady and how does her coming affect the Helmers from the rest of the play. Write your answer in note form. (6 marks)
6. Discuss one aspect of style in this extract. (2 marks)
7. Briefly explain what happens after this extract. (4 marks)
8 Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
i) Tease
ii) Dull
iii) Nuisance
iv) A caller
Date posted: April 16, 2019. Answers (1)
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