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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 are Krogstad and Nora talking about, that both considered but neither had the courage for?

2. What does Nora say Doctor Rank can pretend about her dancing?

3. What does Doctor Rank offer to do?

4. What stops Torvald from coming into the room?

5. Why did Nora like talking to the maids when she lived at her father's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Nora confess what's happened to Mrs. Linde?

2. What does Krogstad want most?

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

4. What does Torvald want Nora to do, to "hush up' the incident?

5. Describe Rank's ideas of costumes for himself and Nora at the next fancy dress ball.

6. Why does Krogstad say it would be useless for Nora to kill herself?

7. Describe how Nora dances the Tarantella and Torvald's reaction.

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

9. What is the significance of Nora calling for the lamp?

10. Describe Torvald's reaction to Nora's wrongdoing.

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 theme of parents' influence on children in the play.

1) How was Nora influenced by her father? Was his influence a good or bad one? Why is Nora so often compared to her father?

2) Why is Torvald concerned about Krogstad's children? Why does he threaten to take the children away from Nora's influence?

3) What are Nora's beliefs about parents' influence on children at the end of the play?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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