Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
Krogstad: Are you sure of that?
Mrs. Linde: Quite sure, but-
Krogstad: (with a searching look at her)Is that what it all means?-that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly. Is that it?
Mrs Linde: Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake doesn’t do it a second time.
Krogstad: I will ask for my letter back.
Mrslinde: No, no.
Krogstad: Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back-that it only concerns my dismissal-that he is not to read it-
Mrs. Linde: No Nils, you must not recall your letter.
Krogstad: But, tell me wasn’t it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet you here?
Mrs Linde: In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on.
Krogstad: Very well, if you take the responsibility. But there is one thing I can do in any case and I shall do it at once.
Mrs Linde: (listening)You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are not safe a moment longer.
Krogstad: I will wait for you below.
Mrs Linde: Yes, do. You must see me back to my door-
Krogstad: I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life!
Questions
- Explain what has happened before this excerpt. (4 marks)
- Why does Krogstad say he would ask for his letter back? Explain (3 marks)
- “Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake doesn’t do it a second time.”
Briefly explain what makes Mrs. Linde saythis? (3 marks)
- Identify one character trait of Mrs. Linde in this extract (2 marks)
- What is so surprising in this extract? Explain. ( 2 marks)
- “But there is one thing I can do in any case and I shall do it at once.” What is it that Krogstad does and how does it affect the rest of the play? (4 marks)
- “I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life!” Rewrite beginning Never: (1 mark)
- What makes Krogstad say that he has never had such good fortune in his life? (2 marks)
- Explain the meaning of the following words and phrases as used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
i) At any cost
ii) Recall
iii) Elapsed
iv) Incredible things