Question

Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House. Nora: What are you going to do? Helmer: [looking among his papers] Settle it. [Enter MAID.] Look here; take this letter and go downstairs with it at once. Find a messenger and tell him to deliver it, and be quick. The address is on it, and here is the money. Maid: Very well, sir. [Exit with the letter.] Helmer: [putting his papers together] Now then, little Miss Obstinate. Nora: [breathlessly]. Torvald—what was that letter? Helmer: Krogstad's dismissal. 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 don't 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 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? There! 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 practise with your 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 me. [Nods to her, takes his papers and goes into his room, and shuts the door after him.] How does the interaction between Helmer and Nora advance the plot?

Answer 1

C

Step-by-step explanation:

Just did it

Answer 2

The interaction between Helmer and Nora advances the plot because Helmer thinks that Nora is afraid his reputation will suffer, heightening the suspense about her real secret.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is incomplete since it does not offer the options to answer, here are the options:

A) Helmer decides he might need to use strength against Krogstad to make him leave his position at the bank.

B) Helmer realizes that Nora is right about Krogstad, which will keep her secret safe from him later in the play.

C) Helmer thinks that Nora is afraid his reputation will suffer, heightening the suspense about her real secret.

D) Helmer agrees with Nora that it is too late and that he has made a mistake with Krogstad, which creates conflict.

This scene from the play " A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen and Thomas Ostermeier shows how Helmer as a chivalrous and venerable man does what he considers is necessary to protect Nora and he assumes due to her horror at knowing the content of the letter that she is afraid of what may come.