A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen | Act 3, Section 2 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In act 3 of "The Dollhouse," Torvald experiences a rollercoaster of emotions, from romance to hatred, ultimately leading to a revelation about his true character.

Key Insights

• 😀 Torvald's moralizing and demands for loyalty backfire when he is faced with the pressure and renounces Nora.
• ❓ The concept of understanding is explored through Nora and Torvald's misunderstanding of each other, highlighting the importance of true understanding in a relationship.
• 👨 Torvald's resentment towards Nora's father and his unwillingness to sacrifice for her reveal his true character.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How does Torvald react when Dr. Rank reveals he is dying?

Torvald becomes distraught and angry, directing his frustration towards Nora and showing no compassion for her.

Q: What prompts Torvald's forgiveness towards Nora?

After reading a letter from Crogsdad that forgives Nora and promises not to expose her, Torvald instantly forgives her, relieved that his fears of personal ruin have been removed.

Q: How does Torvald's response to Nora's sexual advances reveal his true character?

Torvald's fantasies show that he is motivated by a desire to be both sneaky and dominating. When Nora refuses his advances, he scolds her and questions her loyalty as his wife.

Q: What does Torvald's response to the letters reveal about his character?

Torvald's initial response of renunciation is driven by fears of personal ruin, while his second response of forgiveness only comes after those fears have been removed. This demonstrates that his promises of loyalty and sacrifice were empty words when put to the test.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Torvald acts romantically towards Nora, but their moment is interrupted by Dr. Rank's revelation about his impending death.

• Torvald reads Crogsdad's letter and becomes enraged, calling Nora a miserable creature.

• However, Torvald forgives Nora when he reads another letter that forgives her, highlighting the hypocrisy of his moralizing.