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NORA.Oh, well, don’t be alarmed! You couldn’t know that Torvald hadforbidden them. I must tell you that he is afraid they will spoil my teeth.But, bah! —once in a way—That’s so, isn’t it, DoctorRank? [Puts a macaroon into his mouth.] You must have onetoo, Christine. And I shall have one, just a little one—or at most two.[Walking about.] I am tremendously happy.
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I have three lovelychildren. You can’t see them just now, for they are out with their nurse.But now you must tell me all about it. HELMER.You are an odd little soul.
A DOLL’S HOUSE
Torvald, Mrs. Linde, and Dr. Rank exit, and Nora plays happily with her children. Krogstad enters, and Nora tells the children to go to their nursemaid and not tell anyone about Krogstad’s visit. It is revealed that Krogstad is the person who Nora borrowed money from. He explains that he is being fired by Torvald, and that Nora must stop this happening or else Krogstad will tell everyone her secret. He adds that he has evidence that Nora forged her father’s signature in an IOU.
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Seeing them, she collapses, and as the curtain is brought down, it is implied that she stays. Nora leaves her keys and wedding ring; Torvald breaks down and begins to cry, baffled by what has happened. You don’t understand me, and I have never understoodyou either—before tonight.
The maidsknow all about everything in the house—better than I do. Tomorrow, afterI have left her, Christine will come here and pack up my own things that Ibrought with me from home. I will have them sent after me.
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HELMER.[in a fretful whisper]. [Unlocks the door.] Come, that’s kind of you not to passby our door. On the contrary, I feel extraordinarily lively. —youreally look both tired and sleepy.
She explains that they were very poor and both had to work long hours. Torvald became sick, she adds, and the couple had to travel to Italy so that Torvald could recover. A maid enters, delivering a letter from Krogstad to Nora, which Torvald demands to read himself. Torvald then exults that he is saved, as Krogstad has returned the incriminating bond, which Torvald immediately burns along with Krogstad's letters.
You see, he had to make money every way hecould, and he worked early and late; but he couldn’t stand it, and felldreadfully ill, and the doctors said it was necessary for him to go south. NORA.To have some fun at Christmas-time, of course. We will havesuch fun together! You are not cold, I hope.[Helps her.] Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy. No, takethis armchair; I will sit here in the rocking-chair.
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It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. Theworst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to workfor, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for chances. One must live,and so one becomes selfish. When you told me of the happy turn your fortuneshave taken—you will hardly believe it—I was delighted not so muchon your account as on my own.
Theatre Review: 'A Doll's House' at Everyman Theatre - MD Theatre Guide
Theatre Review: 'A Doll's House' at Everyman Theatre.
Posted: Mon, 11 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Krogstad leaves, and when Torvald returns, Nora tries to convince him not to fire Krogstad, but Torvald will hear nothing of it. He declares Krogstad an immoral man and states that he feels physically ill in the presence of such people. Torvald reads the letter and is outraged. He calls Nora a hypocrite and a liar and complains that she has ruined his happiness. He declares that she will not be allowed to raise their children. Helene then brings in a letter.
She reveals that she had expected that he would want to sacrifice his reputation for hers and that she had planned to kill herself to prevent him from doing so. She now realizes that Torvald is not at all the kind of person she had believed him to be and that their marriage has been based on mutual fantasies and misunderstandings. Nora craves freedom and happiness, but up until the very end of the play, her definitions of these things are skewed by the conventional society she grew up in.
Light footsteps are heard on thestairs. NORA.When I was at home, of course I loved papa best. But I always thought ittremendous fun if I could steal down into the maids’ room, because theynever moralised at all, and talked to each other about such entertainingthings.
Bless my soul, how unreasonable youare! [Sits down on the sofa.] Be nice now, Doctor Rank, and tomorrow youwill see how beautifully I shall dance, and you can imagine I am doing it allfor you—and for Torvald too, of course. [Takes various things out ofthe box.] Doctor Rank, come and sit down here, and I will show yousomething. HELMER.Ah, I understand; it is recollections of the past that scare you.
Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me toprevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; hewould never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me. HELMER.And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. It wasone of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife.
RANK.I thought I heard your voice, and felt as if I should like to look in. [Witha swift glance round.] Ah, yes! —these dear familiar rooms. You arevery happy and cosy in here, you two.
She takes his ring and gives him hers, before going to the door and leaving her husband – slamming the door behind her. Nora refuses, and Torvald reads the letter from Krogstad anyway. I mean that I was simply transferred from papa’shands into yours.
