A Quote Bank for Henrik Ibsen's 'A Dolls House'. OCR A Level English LIterature. Written and used by a student who went on to Study english Literature at degree level. Quotes followed by where they were in play, who they were said by as well as a concise but detailed explanation/link to text. Clea...
Henrik Ibsen - A Dolls House - Quote Bank - A Level English Lit OCR
Quote Info
‘To be free, absolutely free. To spend time - Act One, said by Nora
playing with the children. To have a clean, - Ironic that the very things she
beautiful house, the way Torvald likes it.’ describes as being ‘free’ to do are the
same that arguably confine her
- Interesting that the dialogue ends with
how Torvald likes it- her freedom
depends on Torvald’s opinions,
therefore is it truly freedom?
‘skyark’ - Nickname for Nora, by Torvald
- Continuously throughout the play
- Infantilises her, shows that he sees
her as immature/ highlights the
dynamic of relationships at the time
‘Has my little spendthrift been wasting - Act 1, Torvald to Nora
money again?’ - Use of ‘my’ ‘little’ ‘spendthrift’ and
‘wasting’ all further highlight
patronising nature of Torvald’s
conversations with Nora
- Nora is constantly treated as childish
and lacking in intellect by her
husband- could also question whether
she deliberately plays into this role of
submissive, childlike persona.
‘An atmosphere of lies infects and - Act 1, Torvald to Nora
poisons the whole life of a home’ - Foreshadowing the break up of their
own home at the end of the play
- Can be seen to show Torvald’s
awareness at Nora’s acting/secrecy,
even if he is not entirely sure what is
being hidden
- Tone of the sentence also links back to
the ‘fatherly’ approach he has when
speaking to Nora
‘There can be no freedom or beauty about - Act 1, Torvald to Nora
a home life that depends on borrowing - again , ironic & foreshadowing their
and debt’ downfall since he is unaware that this
is what his very own home is surviving
off of.
‘ I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No - Act 1, Mrs Linde
one to live for anymore’ - She feels a deep rooted desire to be
part of society as she knows it
- Accepts her role as woman, feels that
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