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A DOLL’S HOUSE SAMPLE EXCERPT QUESTIONS NUMBER 16  

Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow (A

Doll’s House)   

Krogstad: (Controlling himself) Listen to me, Mrs. Helmer. If necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I were fighting for my life.  

Nora: So it seems  

Krogstad: It is not only for the sake of the money; indeed, that weighs least with me in the matter. There is another reason-well, I may we well tell you. My position is this. I daresay you know, like everybody else, that once, many years ago, I was guilty of an indiscretion.  

Nora:  I think I have heard something of the kind. 

Krogstad: The matter never came into  court; but every way seemed to be closed to me after that. So I took to the business that you know of. I had to do something; and, honestly, I don’t think I’ve been one of the worst. But now I must cut myself free from all that. My sons are growing up; for their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in the town. This post in the Bank was like the first step up for me – and now your husband is going to kick me downstairs again into the mud. Nora: But you must believe me, Mr. Krogstad; it is not in my power to help you at all. 

Krogstad: Then it is because you haven’t the will; but I have means to compel you. 

Nora:  You don’t mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you money? Krogstad: Hm! – suppose I were to tell him? 

Nora: I would be perfectly infamous of you. (Sobbing) To think of his learning my secret, which has been my joy and pride, in such an ugly, clumsy way – that he should learn it from you! And it would out me in a horribly disagreeable position- Krogstad: Only disagreeable? 

Nora:  (Impetuously) well, do it, then! – and it will be the worse for you. My husband will see for himself what a blackguard you are, and you certainly won’t keep your post them. Krogstad: I asked you if it was only a disagreeable scene at home that you were afraid of? 

Nora:If my husband does get to know of it, of course he will at once pay you what is still owing, and we shall have nothing more to do with you. 

Krogstad: (Coming a step nearer) Listen to me, Mrs Helmwe. Either you have a very bad memory or you know very little of business. I shall be obliged to remind you of a few details. 

Questions  

  1. What happens just before this excerpt? (2mks) 
  2. Identify and illustrate any two themes evident in the excerpt.

(4mks) 

  • Using about fifty words, summarize why Krogstad is prepared to fight for the small post in the bank      (5mks) 
  • Identify and illustrate any two character traits of;(4mks) 

i) Krogstad ii) Nora 

  • Identify and illustrate any two stylistic devices used in the excerpt. (4mks) 
  • Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the extract (2mks) 
    • Compel
    • Blackguard  

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  • “I shall be obliged to remind you of a few details”. Which are those details? (4mks) 

A DOLL’S HOUSE SAMPLE EXCERPT QUESTIONS NUMBER 17 

Read the excerpt below and then answer the questions that follow.                       

Krogstad: Are you aware that is a dangerous confession? 

Nora: In what way?  You shall have your money soon. 

Krogstad: Let me ask you a question: Why did you not send the paper to your father? 

Nora: It was impossible: papa was so ill.  If I had asked him for his signature, I should have had to tell him what the money was to be used for:  and when he was so ill himself, I couldn’t tell him that my husband’s life was in danger – it was impossible.  Krogstad: It would have been better for you if you had given up your trip abroad. 

Nora: No, that was impossible.  That trip was to save my husband’s life.  I couldn’t give that up.   

Krogstad: But did it never occur to you that you were committing a fraud on me? 

Nora: I couldn’t take that into account: I didn’t trouble myself about you at all.  I couldn’t bear you, because you put so many heartless difficulties in my way, although you knew what a dangerous condition my husband was in. 

Krogstad: Mrs. Helmer, you evidently do not realize clearly what it is that you have been guilty of.  But I can assure you that my one false step, which lost me all my reputation, was nothing more or nothing worse than what you have done. 

Nora: You?  Do you ask me to believe that you were brace enough to run a risk to save your wife’s life? 

Krogstad: Foolish or not, it is the law by which you will be judged, if I produce this paper in court. 

Nora: I don’t believe it.  Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her dying father anxiety and care?  Is a wife not to be allowed to save her husband’s life?  I don’t know much about law: but I am certain that there must be laws permitting such things as that. 

Have you no knowledge of such laws – you who are a lawyer?  You must be very poor Mr. Krogstad. 

Krogstad: Maybe.  But matters of business – such business as you and I have had together – do you think I don’t understand that?  Very well.  Do as you please.  But let me tell you this – if I lose my position a second time, you shall lose yours with me.  (He bows and goes out through the hall) Nora (appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her head) Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that! – I am not so silly as he thinks.  (begins to busy herself putting the children’s things in order)  And yet-? No it’s impossible! I did it for love’s sake.  Questions:  

  1. Briefly describe the dangerous confession Nora admits to in the onset of the excerpt. (3 marks) 
  2. Explain why Nora did not send the paper to her father for signing.  (3 marks) 
  3. Explain two themes evident in the excerpt above.   4 marks) 
  4. Contrast Krogstad’s and Nora’s views on the law   (2 marks) 
  5. How is Krogstad portrayed in the excerpt                  (2 marks) 
  6. The law cares nothing about motives.  (Add a question tag)  

                    1 mark) 

  • Krogstad informs Nora that “one false step, lost him all reputation.”  Briefly explain how.     
  • “………. If I lose my position a second time, you shall lose yours with me.”  From elsewhere in the play, show the truth of this statement        (2 marks) 
  • What is the general tone in this excerpt?  Explain your answer.

 (3 marks) 

  • Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the excerpt.      (2 marks)
  • defiantly  
  • false step 

EXCERPT  18   

Read the following excerpt from A Doll’s House and answer the questions that follow.   

Nora: What a relief you must feel if  

Mrs Linde: No, indeed; I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No one to live for anymore. (gets up restlessly) was why I could not stand the life in my little backwater any longer. I hope it may be easier here to find something which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luck to get some regular work — office work of some – kind.  

Nora: But, Christine, chat is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out now. You had better go away to some water-place.  

Mrs Linde: (Walking to the window) I have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora.  

Nora: (Rising) Oh, don’t be angry with me!  

Mrs Linde: (Going up to her) It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. the worst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to work for, and yet  obliged to be always on ‘the lookout for chances One music live, and so one become selfish. When you cold me of the happy turn your fortunes have taken YO u will hardly believe it — I was delighted not much on your account as on my own.  

Nora: How do you mean? — Oh, I understand. You mean that perhaps Torvald could get you something to do.  

Mrs Linde: Yes, that what I was thinking of.  

Nora: He must, Christine. Just leave it to me; I will broach the subject very cleverly — I think of something that will please him very much. It will make me so happy to be of some use to you.  

Mrs Linde: how kind you are, Nora, to be so anxious to help me! It is doubly kind of, for you know so little of the burdens and troubles of life.  

Nora: I know so little of them?  

Mrs Linde: (Tosses her head and crosses the stage) You ought not to be so superior.  

Mrs Linde: No?   

Nora: You are just like the others. They all think that I am incapable of anything really serious.  

Questions  

  1. Why does Mrs Linde say that her life is empty? (3 marks)   
  2. “I have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora.”  

i) Which journey is being referred to here? (2 marks)   ii) Explain the irony of this statement. (3 marks)   iii) What tone does Mrs Linde use when she says this?

(2marks) 

  • Describe the character traits of Mrs Linde. (4 marks) 
  • You ought not to be so superior. (Add a question) (1 marks)   
  • Explain the happy turn of fortunes for Nora mentioned in this excerpt. (2 marks)    
  • Nora offers to help Mrs Linde. Does she? Explain your answer. (3 marks)   
  • “You are just like the others.” Who is Nora referring to and why? (3 marks)   
  • Give the meaning of the following expressions as used in the passage: (2 marks)   
  • Backwater  ii) Broach the subject  

A DOLL’S HOUSE SAMPLE EXCERPT QUESTIONS NUMBER 19   

Read the following excerpt from ‘A Doll’s House’ and answer the questions that follow.  Krogstad: (changing his tone) Mrs Helmer, you will be so good as to use your influence on my behalf Nora: What? What do you mean?  

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Krogstad: You will be so kind as to see that I am allowed to keep my subordinate position in the Bank  

Nora: What do you mean by that? Who proposes to take your post away from you?  

Krogstad: Oh, there no necessity to keep up the pretense of ignorance. I can quite understand that your friend is not very anxious to expose herself to the chance of rubbing shoulders with me; and I quite understand, to whom I have to thank for being turned off. 

Nora: But I assure — 

Krogstad: Very likely; but to come to the point, the time has come when I should advise you to use your influence to prevent that. 

Nora: But, Mr. Krogstad, I have no influence. 

Krogstad: Haven’t you? I thought you said yourself just now — 

Nora: Naturally I did not mean you to put that construction on it. Il WIIat should make you think I have influence of that kind with my husband? 

Krogstad: Oh, I have known your husband from our student days. I don’t suppose he is more unassailable than other husbands. 

Nora: If you speak slighting of my husband, I shall turn you out of the house. 

Krogstad: You are bold, Mrs Helmer.           

Nora: I am not afraid of you any longer. As soon as the New Year comes, I shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing. 

Krogstad: (controlling himself) Listen to me, Mrs Helmer. If necessary, I am prepared to fight for my small post in the Bank as if I were fight for my life. 

Nora: So it seems.  

Questions  

  • Briefly describe what happens before this excerpt. 4mks  
  • Why is it important that Krogstad keeps his subordinate position in the bank? 3mks 
  • Describe the character of Krogstad as revealed in this excerpt. 4mks 
  • What friend is Krogstad talking about and how does he know her? 3mks 
  • From elsewhere in the play, what are the actual reasons for his dismissal? 3mks 
  • Comment on the use of dash in this excerpt.  1mk 
  • I shall in a very short time be free of the whole thing”. What is being referred to and what else is revealed about it after this excerpt? 4mks 
  • Give the meaning of the following expressions as used in this excerpt: 3mks 

i) Subordinate   ii) Put that construction on it   iii) Unassailable  

EXCERPTS FROM A DOLL’S HOUSE KCSE REVISION QUESTIONS NUMBER 20 

 Read the following excerpt from A Doll’s House and answer the questions that follow.  Nora: Call her back, Torvald! There is still time. Oh Torvald, call her back! Do it for my sake for your own sake for the children’s sake! Do you hear me, Torvald? call her back! You know what that letter can bring upon us. 

Helmer: It’s too late. 

Nora: Yes, it’s too late. 

Helmer: My dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in, although really it is an insult to me. It is, indeed. Isn’t it an insult to think that I should be afraid of a starving quill-driver’s vengeance? But I forgive you nevertheless, because it is such eloquent witness to your great love for me. (Takes her in his arms.) And that is as it should be, my own darling Nora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall 

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have both courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself. 

Nora: (in a horror-stricken voice) What do you mean by that?  

Helmer: Everything, I say — 

Nora: (recovering herself) You will never have to do that. 

Helmer: That’s right. Well, we will share it, Nora, as man and wife should. That is how it shall be. (caressing her) Are you content now? %ere! There! -— not these frightened dove’s eyes! The whole thing is only the wildest fancy! Now, you must go and play through the Tarantella and practice with tambourine. I shall go into the inner office and shut the door, and I shall hear nothing; you can make as much noise as you please. (turns back at the door) and when Rank comes, tell him where he will find. (nods to her, takes his papers and goes into his room, and shuts the door after him) 

Nora: (bewildered with anxiety, stands as if rooted to the spot, and whispers) He was capable of doing it. He will do it. He will do it in spite of everything. — No, not that! Never, never! Anything rather than that I — Oh, for some help, some way out of it! (7he door-bell rings.) Doctor Rank! Anything rather than that — anything, whatever it is! (She puts her hands over her face, pulls herself together, goes to the door and opens it. RANK is standing without, hanging up his coat. During the following dialogue it begins to grow dark.) Good day, Doctor Rank. I knew your ring. But you mustn’t go in to Torvald now; I think he is busy with something.  

Questions  

  1. Briefly explain what happens before the events in this excerpt. 3mks 
  2. Why is Nora anxious about the letter? 3mks 
  3. What does Helmer attribute Nora’s anxiety to? 3mks  
  4. Explain the reaction of Krocstad when he receives the letter.

4mks 

  • Describe the character traits of Helmer. 4mks 
  • Identify and explain the mood of this excerpt? 3mks 
  • Why do you think she lies to Doctor Rank that he cannot see

Helmer? 1mk 

  • How does Doctor Rank further complicate Nora’s life after

‘this excerpt?2mks  

  1. Give the meaning of the following expressions as used in the excerpt: 2mks 

i) Quill-driver  ii)Bewildered  

EXCERPT 26-30 Questions and Answers

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