Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow.
Nora: I didn’t find it dull.
Helmer: (smilling)But there was precious little result, Nora.
Nora: Oh, you shouldn’t tease me about that again. How could I help the cat’s going in and tearing everything to pieces?
Helmer: Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.
Nora: Yes, it is really wonderful.
Helmer: This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands-
Nora: (clapping her hands) No, Tovald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! (taking his arm) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over-(A bell rings in the hall.) There’s the bell. (She tidies the room a little.) There’s someone at the door. What a nuisance!
Helmer: If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.
Maid: (in the doorway) A lady to see you, ma’am,--a stranger.
Nora: Ask her to come in.
Maid: (to Helmer)The doctor came at the same time, sir.
Helmer: Did he go straight into my room?
Maid: Yes, sir.
Questions
- What does Nora refer to in her opening words in this extract? (2 marks)
- What has happened that has made the couple happy? (2 marks)
- Discuss two themes evident in this extract. (4 marks)
- “There’s someone at the door.” Add a question tag (1 mark)
- A lady has come to see Nora as reported by the maid. Who is this lady and how does her coming affect the Helmers from the rest of the play. Write your answer in note form. (6 marks)
- Discuss one aspect of style in this extract. (2 marks)
- Briefly explain what happens after this extract. (4 marks)
8 Explain the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt. (4 marks)
i ) Tease
ii) Dull
iii) Nuisance
iv) A caller