English Literature

1. The same scene is applied in all of the Acts in Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. The room is described as to having a lot of furnitureeven though it is described as to not being extravagant it still has plenty of stuff in it than an average family. A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly (Opening Act I). This is understatement because the room is described as too having a lot of furniture in it. Having too much furniture symbolizes the marriage that Nora and Torvald Helemer had. They were together for quite some time then but their relationship is really not that good as evidenced by role of Nora in their house, the insults that Torvald hurled at her, and the walkout of Nora.
2. Ibsen probably chose Christmas time as the setting of the play because Christmas is a family occasionfamilies are supposed to be complete during Christmas time, a family breaking up during Christmas would be more dramatic than a family breaking up at any other time.
3. A lie is what started the conflict in the play. The theme of lying is foreshadowed in the opening scene of the play when Nora hides the macaroons in her pocket to avoid being scolded by her husband. Just now Puts the bag of macaroon into her pocket and wipes her mouth. The ultimate lie that Nora committed is not telling Torvald, that she took out a loan just so they could afford Torvalds treatment in Italy. The moral ambiguity about this lie is that if Nora had not borrowed money, Torvald could have possibly died.
4. Kristine Linde or Mrs. Linde appears to be the bestfriend of Nora in the play despite not seeing each other for years. Nora reveals her secrets to Mrs. Linde, even her most kept secret of taking the loan from Krogstad. Apparently, Mrs. Linde and Krogstad, whom Nora borrowed money from,  used to be together but Mrs, Linde left Krogstad for a wealthier man. The rekindled love of Mrs. Linde and Krogstad, saved the life of Nora but not because her secret was revealed but because the truth set her free.
5. One of the obvious gap in knowledge between the characters and the audience is the personality of Krogstad. Krogstad is first described as someone who could pass as Iago in Hamlets Othello, he first blackmails Nora to influence her husband not to fire him and then it changed into being rehired to a higher position. But then when he was reunited with Kristine, he suddenly changed into an honorable man who is willing to take back the letter he has sent Torvald that reveals the secret of Nora.
6. Dr. Rank is the best friend of Torvald and is admittedly in-love with Nora. His role in the play however is not to complicate the relationship of Torvald and Nora. Even if Dr. Rank did intervene with the marriage of Nora and Torvald, their relationship was beyond saving by the time Dr. Rank revealed his love for Nora. Dr. Ranks role is to merely present the concept of acceptance because Dr. Rank already accepted his fate that he would die soon because of his illness.
7. The Nurse, Anne, is a mother herself and entertains the questions of Nora on the thought of a mother going away and leaving her children for good. Nora wonders how Anne could be willing to let others take care of her own children and yet take care of others people children herself. Nora thought that Annes daughter has forgotten her, she may be right because Anne said that her daughter wrote her during her confirmation and when she was married. By her story, it appears that she has also suffered from her relationships. Anne seems to have been a victim of male oppression because she mentions that that wicked man didnt do a single thing for me.  Nora was probably not oppressed the same way but she was oppressed nonetheless. Kristine sort of also suffered the same fate because all her life she has taken care of her family and never really enjoyed her life.
8. Helmers character, just like Noras character is a comparable study to the bad effects on men. Helmers character stereotypes men as oppressors of women, especially how Helmer treats Nora in the play. Mens image in general would look bad because of this stereotypical portrayal of men.
9. Kristine Linde and Krogstad used to be in love. In fact, if Kristine had not chosen practicality over love, the two might have ended up getting married or if Krogstad only had a more high-paying job. Their relationship is intended as a contrast of Nora and Helmers relationship. Kristine and Krogstads relationship is rekindled while Nora and Helmer end.
10. A credible sequel to this play would have to feature the life Nora as a successful and happy woman or else she would look like she made the wrong decision of walking away from a comfortable life.