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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What reason does Nora give for wanting Krogstad to keep his job?

2. Why does Mrs. Linde come by Nora's house?

3. What does Nora think Krogstad is threatening her with?

4. What is Nora going to the costume ball as?

5. What is Nora's relationship with her children's nurse?

Short Essay Questions

1. What example does Torvald give Nora, to try and show her why borrowing is bad?

2. What is Nora's attitude toward Torvald's rules?

3. What does Torvald say an atmosphere of lies does?

4. Why is Torvald reluctant to give Nora money for Christmas?

5. What do Torvald's pet names for Nora say about his attitude towards her?

6. How does Mrs. Linde feel, now that no one's depending on her financially anymore?

7. What is the significance of Nora mentioning the first of the month to Krogstad?

8. What is Krogstad's response when Nora tells him she can't help him?

9. What was Nora's attitude toward Krogstad when she first borrowed money from him?

10. What is Mrs. Linde's reaction to Krogstad's entrance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the play's treatment of lies and deception.

1) Nora lies to Torvald about macaroons, about working to pay off a loan, and about borrowing money without his consent. How does Nora view her own deception? Why does she lie?

2) How does Torvald view lying? How does he react to Nora's lies when he discovers them? How does he react to Krogstad's deceitful behavior?

3) How do the characters lie to and deceive themselves? Is the atmosphere of deceit in the Helmer household unhealthy?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the idea of protecting women and sheltering them from life.

1) How does Torvald's idea of sheltering Nora contribute to her remaining child-like and ultimately believing that she must leave him?

2) How does Nora's lack of knowledge of the world lead her into her legal problems?

3) Are women in the play successfully sheltered from "unsavory" aspects of life? Examine both Nora and Mrs. Linde's experiences.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the definition of marriage in the play.

1) What is Nora's idea of marriage? How does her idea of marriage change throughout the play, and what does she mean by the true wedlock she wishes for at the end of the play?

2) What is Mrs. Linde's idea of marriage? What did her former marriage mean to her, and how is it different from her proposed union with Krogstad?

3) What is Torvald's idea of marriage? How does he define his relationship with Nora?

(see the answer keys)

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