Act 3

Krogstad had been in love with Mrs. Linde. At the beginning of this act they agree to marry and Krogstad offers to retrieve his letter from Torvald. However, Mrs. Linde disagrees and thinks that it is time that Nora is forced to confront the dishonesty in her marriage. After the party, the Helmers return home and Torvald reads the letter from Krogstad. While Torvald reads in his study, Nora pictures herself as dead, having committed suicide by drowning in the icy river. Torvald interrupts her fantasy by demanding that she explain her deception. However, he refuses to listen and is only concerned with the damage to his own reputation. Torvald’s focus on his own life and his lack of appreciation for the suffering undergone by Nora serve to open her eyes to her husband’s faults. She had been expecting Torvald to rescue her and protect her, and instead he only condemns her and insists that she is not a fit mother to their children. At that moment another letter arrives from Krogstad telling the Helmers that he will not take legal action against Nora. Torvald is immediately appeased and is willing to forget the entire episode. But having seen her husband revealed as a self-centered, selfish, hypocrite, Nora tells him that she can no longer live as a doll and expresses her intention to leave the house immediately. Torvald begs her to stay, but the play ends with Nora leaving the house, her husband, and her children.

Act 2

Mrs. Linde stops by to help Nora prepare for a costume ball. Nora tells Mrs. Linde that Krogstad is blackmailing her about the loan they talked about earlier in the story. After Nora again begs Torvald not to fire Krogstad, her husband sends Krogstad an immediate notice of his dismissal. Nora is desperate and decides to ask help of Dr. Rank. Before she can ask him for his help, Dr. Rank makes it obvious that he is in love with her and Nora determines that because of this it would be unwise to ask his help. Krogstad visits Nora once again and this time leaves a letter for Torvald in which Nora’s dishonesty is revealed. To divert Torvald’s attention from the mailbox, Nora elicits his help with her practice of the dance she is to perform, the tarantella. Finally, Nora asks Torvald to promise that he will not read the mail until after the party.

Act 1 Character List and Summary

Character List-

Nora- The wife of Torvald Helmer. Nora initially seems like a playful child who lacks knowledge of the world outside her home.

Torvald Helmer-Nora's husband. Torvald delights in his new position at the bank, just as he delights in his position of authority as a husband. He treats Nora like a child, in a manner that is both kind and patronizing. He does not view Nora as an equal but rather as a plaything or doll to be teased and admired. ****This also reflects back on the title of the story ("A Doll's House").

Krogstad-A lawyer who went to school with Torvald and holds a subordinate position at Torvald's bank. His willingness to allow Nora to suffer is despicable, but his claims to feel sympathy for her and the hard circumstances of his own life compel us to sympathize with him to some degree.

Mrs. Linde-Nora's childhood friend. Kristine Linde is a practical, down-to-earth woman, and her sensible worldview highlights Nora's somewhat childlike outlook on life.

Dr. Rank-Torvald's best friend. Dr. Rank stands out as the one character in the play who is by and large unconcerned with what others think of him. He is also notable for his stoic acceptance of his fate. Unlike Torvald and Nora, Dr. Rank admits to the diseased nature of his life.


It is Christmas Eve. Nora Helmer enters the house with packages and a Christmas tree. She pays the porter double what she owes him and eats some macaroons. Her husband, Torvald Helmer, comes out of his study and addresses Nora with tenderness and authority, calling her his “skylark” and his “squirrel.” Nora tells Torvald that she wants to show him what she has bought, and Torvald teases her for being a spendthrift. Nora replies that she and Torvald can afford to be extravagant, since Torvald's new position at the bank means he will earn a large salary. Torvald replies that he will not take over that position until after the new year begins. When Nora argues that they can spend on credit until Torvald is paid, Torvald scolds her, reminding her that if something were to happen to make them unable to pay off their loan, they would be in trouble. He concludes by saying that he hates debts because “a home that depends on loans and debts is not beautiful because it is not free.” Nora says, “Everything as you wish, Torvald.”

First Assignment- Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen the author of "A Doll's House" was born on March 20, 1828 in Skien, Norway. He wrote many plays such as "Peer Gynt" in 1867, and "When We Dead Awaken" in 1899. His first ever play performed was "Catiline" in 1850. he was best known as the "Norweigen Father of Modern Drama." He died on May 23, 1906.

"A Doll's House" the title of the story has a good meaning to it. Nora changes form happy to sad throughout the play and is moving out of having a perfect life. This can relate to how it is to move out of a Doll House. From the title of the play you would think the book is about someone or something that is treated as Doll.