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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. Why doesn't Doctor Rank want Torvald in his sickroom?

2. What does Doctor Rank say he's gained from his "scientific investigation"?

3. What does Nora tell Torvald about the cards from Doctor Rank?

4. What final doubt does Krogstad have about Mrs. Linde?

5. What does Helmer find in the lock of the mailbox?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why can't Nora ask Doctor Rank for help, after he tells her his feelings?

2. How does Torvald respond to Nora's suggestion that she will soon be "out of the way"?

3. Describe Torvald's reaction to the news of Doctor Rank's impending death.

4. What comparison does Nora seem to be making between her father and Torvald?

5. What does Krogstad want most?

6. What does Torvald play on the piano?

7. What fantasy does Torvald say he has about his wife when he's bringing her home from a party?

8. What does Nora tell Torvald she needs his help to do, in order to keep him distracted?

9. What excuse does Nora make, so she doesn't have to explain the favor she wanted?

10. How does Krogstad respond to Mrs. Linde's offer to be with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how the author builds tension in the play.

1) How does the author use foreshadowing to hint at events to come in the play?

2) How do the lies and deceptions in the play contribute to its tension?

3) What is the audience afraid will happen in the play?

4) How does the author use Krogstad's letter in the letterbox to generate tension in the last act of the play, and what other devices does the author use in the play to create tension?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the self-awareness of the characters.

1) Nora says that she thought she loved Torvald, but she did not. She also says that she thought she knew who Torvald was, but she did not. Why was Nora deceived about her own knowledge and feelings? How much is Nora aware of the true nature of her marriage throughout the play?

2) How much is Torvald aware of his own reasons for making decisions and his own morality? Why does he have a severe reaction to Krogstad's letter, and then explain it away as a fit of anger? What aspects of his own character does Torvald understand or not understand?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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