Title: The Complex Dynamics of Relationships and Social Class in Act 1 of A Doll’s House

After reading Act 1, answer two of the questions below:
Answer the following questions, supporting your answers with SPECIFIC EVIDENCE from the
text itself in every case.
1. What are your first impressions of the relationship between the Helmers? Do Nora and Torvald
seem to share an equal partnership in their marriage?
2. Compare Nora to her friend, Mrs. Linde. Both have had difficulties in their lives in their own
ways—how has each woman’s social class influenced how she responded to
difficulty?
3. There is considerable discussion of finances in Act I. How do Nora and Torvald differ in their
attitudes toward money?
4. At the end of Act I, Torvald makes a remark which, to us who know more of his situation than he
does, carries tremendous dramatic irony (when the words and actions of a character have a
different meaning for the audience than they do for the character). He says an “atmosphere
of lies infects the whole life of a home.” What “lies” are we of that Nora has felt obliged to
tell? How much does she recognize the implication of his statement when she adds to herself,
“Poison my home? … That’s not true. Never. Never in all the world.” Although we are unaware
of any lies Torvald has told, is there any sense in which he may have “infected” his
relationship with Nora?
5. Dr. Rank introduces the concept of “moral disease,” which Torvald also remarks on to Nora at the
end of Act I. He and Torvald are referring to Krogstad, but Mrs. Linde prepares us for
another way to look at Krogstad as a man who is “changed,” a “widower… with many children.”
What possibility do you see that Christine and Krogstad may be able to reestablish a friendship?