DH3.Questions+26-30

26. What is Nora saying when she introduces the image of herself as a doll? Nora is saying that Torvald has been controlling her, explaining that she had to conform to his opinions and tastes or put on a facade of agreeing with him on everything. Another characteristic she brings up with the image of a doll is the fact that she has lived with Torvald "like a pauper" (226), simply getting allowance from him without doing anything meaningful besides "performing tricks" (226) for Torvald's amusement.

27. What is Helmer’s reaction to Nora’s statement that he treats her as a doll? When Nora points out that Helmer has been treating her as a doll, Helmer does not seem to be keenly aware of the self-discovery and transformation that Nora has gone through after this incident. He telles her that what she has said is clearly "exaggerated " and "overstated" and also warns her that there will be no "play-times," but "lesson-time (226)."

28. What does this show about Helmer’s understanding of Nora? By saying that 'play-time's over, now comes lesson-time' (227), Helmer clearly continues to treat Nora like a child and toy. He believes that just because he said 'things will be different' (227) Nora would agree and willingly be taught by him. Helmer believes that he is still in control of Nora and that Nora would still be submissive towards him, showing his lack of understanding of Nora. Nora has undergone a transformation, yet Helmer continues to treat her lightly and not take her seriously. He clearly does not understand his wife enough to comprehend the intensity of her words.

29. What is Helmer’s reaction to Nora’s decision to leave him? When Nora tells Torvald that she is leaving him (227), Torvald says that he forbid's her: "I wont let you - I forbid it." This shows that he still thinks that he is in control of her and is still treating her as if she was a puppet. After that he calls her a 'creature': "Oh, you blind, inexperienced creature... (227)", which contrasts with the rest of the novel, as Torvald isn't calling her the cute pet names.

30. What is the significance of the following speech by Nora? “I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are—or at all events, that I must try and become one. I know quite well, Torvald, that most people would think you right, and that views of that kind are to be found in books; but I can no longer content myself with what most people say, or with what is found in books. I must think over things for myself and get to understand them”.

This speech follows Torvald's statement that Nora's priorities ought to be her children and husband. Nora refutes this claim and asserts that she is going to prioritize her own understanding of the world before the wants of her husband relative to societal expectations. This speech is significant because not only does Nora disagree with Torvald, but she disagrees with most of the society. She refuses to accept authority as a final decision maker on her behalf. Nora states that she wants to take things into her own hands and thereby establishes her will for independence.

DH3.Questions 31-34