Dear all,
For Tuesday 28th January, read or re-read Act 1 and post an journal entry on the blog. You will also need to comment on one other post.
Thank you all.
Mrs Gougeon
For Tuesday 28th January, read or re-read Act 1 and post an journal entry on the blog. You will also need to comment on one other post.
Thank you all.
Mrs Gougeon
page 148 and 149
ReplyDelete"Helmer: Still, we mustn't waste money, you know."
"Helmer: ....You and I have managed to keep clear up till now, and we shall still do so for the little time that is left"
(Nora sulks)
(Helmer get's his wallet out)
"Nora: Money!"
I chose this passage as money plays a big role as well as the characters. Money seems to revolve around this passage a lot in a strange way. Helmer contradicts himself by saying “still, we mustn't waste money, you know.” then automatically getting out his wallet once he see’s his “little song-bird” sulking, Nora. Nora’s reaction to Helmer getting out his wallet is amusing, as it seems in a click of a finger once money is mentioned her sulk is swiped of her face. Both Helmer and Nora’s character development has been shown as Helmer is seen to be contradicting trying to make his wife happy where as Nora is seen as childish for sulking over money. Helmer’s use of names such as “little song bird and squirrel” for Nora seems as if he treats her like a child which to me comes across as fake and a suck up.
Pg 165 -166
ReplyDeleteNora: What do I care for your dreary old community? I was laughing at something quite different - something frightfully funny. Tell me, Dr Rank, do all the people who work at the Bank depend on Torvald now?
Rank: Is that what you found so 'frightfully funny'?
Nora [smiling and humming] : Ah, that's my business - that's my business! [pacing around the room] Yes, it really is frightfully funny to think that we - that Torvald has all that power over so many people. [Taking a bag from her pocket] Won't you have a macaroon, Dr Rank?
This passage shows how Nora views her husband's business and power as her own. The stage direction, [smiling and humming], tells us how happy being powerful along with her husband in the business has made Nora feel. The alliteration, "frightfully funny" suggests that being so powerful can be both a scary and happy thing for Nora because she can have all the money Torvald is earning but at the same time, all the wealth could be gone if something bad happens. The stage direction, [pacing around the room] , portrays Nora's joy at the thought of her husband's business being her's. This shows a link between happiness and wealth in the play.
Page 179
ReplyDeleteHelmer: But Krogstad did nothing of the sort – he tried to wriggle out of it with tricks and subterfuges. That’s what has corrupted him.
Nora: But do you think that would…?
Helmer: Just think how a guilty man like that must have to lie and cheat and play the hypocrite with everyone. How he must wear a mask even with those nearest and dearest to him - yes, even with his own wife and children. Yes, even with his children - that’s the most dreadful thing, Nora.
Nora: Why?
Helmer: Because an atmosphere of lies like that infects and poisons the whole life of a home. In a house like that, every breath that the children take is filled with germs of evil.
This extract is right after Krogstad had blackmailed Nora to persuade Helmer not to fire him. Helmer now talks to Nora on the backstory of Krogstad. Helmer doesn’t know that Nora has actually been lying behind his back.
The extract is effective at driving home a point, that if Nora would be caught, she would end up like Krogstad in Helmer’s eyes. It is also an example of dramatic ironic and foreshadowing. This is ionic since the audience/reader knows about Nora’s underhanded behaviour; Helmer is unaware of this which makes him look foolish when explaining Krogstad. The extract also foreshadows the decay of their relationship, with the words “infects and poisons the whole life of a home” showing their life to slowly waste away like bacteria eating flesh.
Page 24
ReplyDeleteHelmer: is my skylark twittering out there?
Nora: (opening some parcels). It is!
Helmer: Is that my squirrel rustling?
Nora: Yes!
Helmer: When did my squirrel come home?
Nora: Just now. Come out here, Torvald and see what I’ve bought
Helmer: You musnt disturb me. Bought did you say? All that? Has my little squanderbird been overspending again?
Nora: Oh Torvald surely we can just let ourselves go a little this year! It’s the first Christmas we don’t have to scrape.
Helmer: Well you know we can’t afford to be extravagant now
Nora: Oh yes, Torvald, we can be a little extravagant now. Can’t we? Just a tiny bit? You’ve got a big salary now and you’re going to make lots and lots of money.
Helmer: Next year, yes. But my new salary doesn’t start till April.
The section I picked is about Torvald and Nora discussing presents Nora had bought as well as money. I picked this section as although their conversation is about money and presents this section also includes the theme of gender. When Torvald asks if Nora is home he refers to her by calling her “skylark” and “squirrel”. When he enters the room Nora hides the macaroons quickly. Torvald explains that until he receives his first paycheck from his new salary they cannot afford to be spending so much money. Throughout this section the use of language is used to display the theme of gender. Torvald refers to Nora as “skylark” “squirrel” and “squanderbird” by using these words he is almost referring to her the same way a parent would speak to a child or an animal and through this belittling her. This idea is seen when Helmer enters the room and Nora hides the macaroons. The way she reacts is similar to the way a young child would react when doing something wrong and trying to hide it from their parents. He belittles her further by the way he speaks to her about money. Although his character does not seem very angry he explains why they cannot afford to be spending such a large amount of money in a very calm way and almost simplistic way, the way a parent would explain “complex” situations to a child. Through the light telling off he is emphasizing the lack of knowledge/intelligence Nora has. In this situation we can see that the male gender role is very much in charge and as seen as more dominant and knowledgeable. However the female character is seen as weaker and much more childlike, as well as stupid.
Pg.30
ReplyDeleteNora: No, you start. I’m not going to be selfish today, I’m just going to think about you. Oh but there’s one thing I must tell you. Have you heard of the wonderful luck we’ve had?
In Act 1 of the Doll’s House, the audience learns a lot about Nora Helmer’s character. She comes across as selfish, self-involved, a liar and caught up in herself and her lies. In this line that she says, she comes across as extremely selfish. Here, Nora is catching up with a friend, Mrs Linde, who she has not seen in years and yet she still manages to go on and on about herself and her life. While, it seems she realises she is being too self-involved, Nora seems to think that her story takes precedent over Mrs Linde’s story. Throughout the first Act, Nora is so wrapped up in her own life and her lies that she even lies for absolutely no purpose. This is when she asks her husband to give Mrs Linde a job. Nora tells her husband that Mrs Linde was there because she saw a newspaper article is Helmer and therefore wanted a job but really it was Nora who told Mrs Linde about Helmer’s new job.
(Page 177)
ReplyDeleteHELMER: Didn’t you say that no one had been here? [Shaking a finger at her] My little songbird mustn’t ever do that again. A songbird must have a clear voice to sing with – no false notes. [Putting his arm around her] That’s true, isn’t it? Yes, I knew it was. [Letting her go] Now we won’t say any more about it. [Sitting by the stove] Ah, this is nice and comfortable! [He glances through his papers.]
This passage takes place when Helmer confronts his wife, Nora, for lying to him. The focus of his passage is the character development of Helmer. Firstly, Helmer calls his wife as a “songbird” which portrays his superiority over his wife, treating her like a pet or a child – his belonging. This is also highlighted by the stage direction. [Shaking a finger at her] suggests Helmer’s lack of respect for his wife and his demanding and instructive control over her actions. He seems to believe that it’s a norm for a husband to have authority over his wife
(page 162-163)
ReplyDeleteNORA: Oh, good heavens. don't you see?...the silly old gentleman can stay where he is for all i care...No more worries! To be able to have no more worries at all! To be able to romp with the children, and to have all the lovely up-to-date things about the house that Torvald likes so much..."
Here, Nora describes her anticipated freedom. the fact that she doesn’t know how much she has paid off, as well as her dream about the rich old gentleman, shows that she is not dealing with the debt in an entirely responsible way. These descriptions are what she hopes her life will soon be like which at this point, what she wants most is to carry out her duties as a wife and be a mother without worry. Moreover, Nora trusts and respects Torvald. She always wants to please him so everything she does is for Torvald. She seems to always have a need to please him in some manner. Additionally, it seems as if Torvald is more like a father rather than a husband to Nora and treats her like a child. I believe this quote says a lot about Nora’s personality. It also helps readers read in between the lines and understand her thoughts or actions.
Mrs Linde [subdued and rather hesitant]: How do you do, Nora?
ReplyDeleteNora: [doubtfully]: How do you...
Mrs Linde: You don't remember me.
Nora: No, I'm afraid I- wait a minute... surely its [impulsively] Kristina! Is it really you? [page 153]
In the following passage, Nora is greeted by a friend she hasn’t seen in nearly ten years. I chose the following passage due to the similar portrayals of the woman. Firstly, Mrs Linde is timid and seems suppressed which appears to be part of her characteristics. Nora on the other hand is unaware of who she is talking to and as a result appears to be timid. This is achieved by the author through the use of stage directions. Upon realizing who Mrs.Linde is she immediately regains her composure and resumes speaking normally. I believe the author’s intent here is to establish the position of a stereotypical woman of the time period, quiet and suppressed. Although Nora assumes this role, it is short-lived and she regains her more vocal self. This is achieved by the author through the use of short sentences and syntax which indicate the hesitation being experienced by the characters. This leads me to believe that the focus of the passage is character development and perhaps the foreshadowing of Nora’s desire to liberate herself from society’s expectations.
Nora: Oh yes,of course I will. But now come and see all the things I've bought......
ReplyDeleteNora: ...and then one of these days I'll buy something with it.
(page 149-150)
In the following passage, Christmas represents family and Nora's happiness shows she enjoys performing the role of a wife and a mother. Her choice of toys and gifts suggests that she buys into the traditional gender roles that is girls must be a nurturing wife and mother (by buying a doll for her daughter) and the boys strong and powerful (by buying a sword and horses for the boys). At the same time, Nora admitted that she didn't get herself anything and her request for money to buy something for herself suggests that she does want the ability to make decisions for herself. Torvald then calls her a "Little Prodigal". Torvald calling his wife as "little" may suggest that she acts like a child as described earlier in the script and "prodigal" means spending money recklessly. This suggests that Torvald thinks she's irresponsible with money and with him not entrusting Nora with money for her own present demonstrates the imbalance of power in their marriage.
Mrs Linde: And you've never told your husband?
ReplyDeleteNora: Good heavens no how could I? [...] Besides Torvald has his pride - most men have - he'd be terribly hurt and humiliated if thought he owed anything to me. It'd spoil everything between us, and our lovely happy home would never be the same again.
In this passage Nora is attemptiong to justify why she hasn't told Torvald about the fact that she has obtained a significant amount of money and how she acquired it. Through the diction used we can see that this is a ruse as exaggeration is used frequently. "Terribly hurt and humiliated" denotes that this gesture would crush Torvald emotionally and would put in a crippled emotional state. However we know this is not true because whilst he may be slightly dismayed, Torvald (as we can see thus far at least) is not that prideful. This means that Nora is exaggerating. This exaggeration proves she is lying because she is taking the truth out of proportion in order to manipulate Mrs Linde into supporting her decision.
( Page 148 )
ReplyDeleteHelmer [from his study]: Is that my little skylark, twittering out there?
Nora [busy opening the parcels]: It is.
Helmer: Scampering about like a little squirrel?
Nora: Yes.
Helmer: When did the squirrel get home?
Nora: Just this minute. [She slips the bag of macaroons in her pocket and wipes her mouth.] Come in here, Trovald, and you can see what I’ve bought.
This is a short passage from Act 1 of Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House" and it takes place right in the beginning of the play. This passage gives us a small glimpse of Helmer and Nora's relationship and their personalities before the actual story begins. Helmer treats his wife like a child, as seen when he calls her his "little skylark" and "little squirrel." Although to some people this can be seen as an act of love and kindness from a husband to his wife, it can also be seen as very degrading as the use of the word "little" suggests that Helmer sees himself above her, and finds her silly and not very smart. Nora hides the bag of macaroons from Helmer and this displays the fact that their relationship lacks trust, and that Nora is a very deceptive and mischievous person.
Page 179 “nearly all young men who go to the bad have had lying mothers.” – Helmer
ReplyDeleteI chose this passage, as it can be quite ironic as to how his own wife Nora lies a lot. Helmer tells Nora that almost all young children who have had lying mothers go to the bad. Even though this statement was made towards Krogstad, Helmer implies that it’s the mothers that have the biggest influence on their children not the fathers; this goes to show the expectations of the stereotypical women in that era. In addition, he implies that Krogstad’s mother must have been a liar for him to be a “moral out cast” when really he is talking about his own children becoming one as his wife lies about several things yet he seems to be oblivious to the situation.
Helmer (following her). Come, come, my little skylark must not
ReplyDeletedroop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of
temper? (Taking out his purse.) Nora, what do you think I have
got here?
Nora (turning round quickly). Money!
This passage stood out to me the most as I read act 1 and thats why I chose it. This passage, I believe shows the attitude of the higher class women during that period of time. Although now in modern times may seem very negative towards women, during those times it seemed very acceptable. It shows the attitude and their way of thinking, its to be "money is a source of all happiness" way of thinking. Therefore we already now that she is a very high class women and that she is married to a very wealthy man.
Helmer: He forged a signature. Have you any idea...
ReplyDelete-
Helmer:... that's the most dreadful thing, Nora. (Page. 179)
I chose this passage as dramatic irony is created in the play and as the reader or audience, we know more than certain characters in the play (Helmer). Helmer describes the 'most dreadful thing' of Krogstad to seemingly match the characteristics of Nora, though Helmer has no idea with what Nora has done. This creates tension in the play as it builds curiosity in the audience or reader. Through foreshadowing, it allows the audience to interpret what might happen to the characters as the play progresses.
Towards the end of the page, Helmer describes the acts of a 'bad' young man, to be the fault of a lying mother. I put 'bad' in quotation marks as Nora's wrong doings had good intentions and served a just purpose. Helmer describes the wrong doings of Krogstad, to affect the children and infects/poisons them. This has a big impact on Nora; as we can see on page.180, where she questions what Helmer had said and denies it. "Corrupt my little children - poison my home? [She pauses, then throws up her head.] That's not true! It could never, never be true."
Page 178
ReplyDeleteNora [still leaning over the chair-back, and gently stroking his hair]: If you hadn't been so busy, Torvald, I'd have asked you a terribly great favour....
Helmer: Well, what is it? Telll me.
Nora: No one has such good taste as you have, and I do so want to look nice at the fancy- dress party. Torvald, couldn't you take me in hand and decide what I'm to go as - what my costume's to be?
Helmer: Aha! So my little obstinate one's out of her depth, and wants someone to rescue her?
Nora: Yes, Torvald, I can't do anything without you to help me.
-
This passage shows the readers the way Nora acts around Helmer and the things she says when she wants something from him. "[Still leaning over the chair-back, and gently stroking his hair]" , this stage direction indicates how Nora is being so gentle and comforting to Helmer, to persuade him to do something for her. "Well, what is t? Tell me." Helmer's reply, in contrast with Nora's gentleness, seems rather impatient and more straightforward, this is implied in the short length of the sentence, which suggests that Helmer knows Nora only acts this way when she wants something from him. "No one has such good taste as you have...", Nora compliments Helmer to persuade him. "Aha! So my little obstinate one's out of her depth..", here, Helmer refers to Nora as "little obstinate one", this suggests further that Helmer is aware of Nora's sneaky behaviour, and also that she won't stop until she gets what she wants. Nora then exaggerates, "Yes, Torvald, i can't do anything without you to help me." This allows the readers to see Nora's different behaviour from when she's around Helmer and when she's alone because the readers know Nora has done something on her own, without her husband's help.
Page 158
ReplyDeleteMrs Linde: it is kind of you, Nora, to want to do this for me … especially when you know so little about the troubles and hardships of life.
Nora: I? So little?
Mrs Linde [Smiling] : Well, good heavens a little bit of sewing and that sort of thing! You’re only a baby, Nora!
This passage stood out to me because at first, I thought that only males were condescending towards the females in their society, but from this I can see that even the woman can be condescending towards each other just depending on their status. It shows that there wasn’t just prejudice against different genders but also to their same genders. Though we can sense that Mrs Linde might be quite jealous of Nora because of the benefits he gets from his husband. It kind of foreshadows that a bad event might occur to nora as well as she is seen as inexperienced.