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1. (a) Describe the relationship between Nora Helmer and Christine Linde - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2017
Question 1
1. (a) Describe the relationship between Nora Helmer and Christine Linde. Support your answer with reference to the text. (b) Explain why you do or do not admire No... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:1. (a) Describe the relationship between Nora Helmer and Christine Linde - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2017
Step 1
Describe the relationship between Nora Helmer and Christine Linde. Support your answer with reference to the text.
Answer
Nora Helmer and Christine Linde share a complex and evolving relationship marked by both friendship and social contrast. They are old school friends; Nora’s life is characterized by relative ease, as she is sheltered and pampered by her husband, Torvald, while Christine has faced hardship. Christine's return to Nora's life introduces themes of sacrifice and independence. Christine seeks to help Nora by urging her to confront her reality, while Nora initially takes Christine’s situation lightly, showcasing her naivety. As the play progresses, their relationship becomes a mirror, reflecting Nora's inner growth and Christine's resilient nature.
Step 2
Explain why you do or do not admire Nora Helmer. Support your answer with reference to the text.
Answer
Admiring Nora Helmer requires careful consideration of her character traits. On one hand, Nora displays bravery and selflessness, such as when she secretly borrows money to save her husband's life, demonstrating her love and commitment to her family. However, her initial lack of awareness regarding her dependence on Torvald and her materialistic views may diminish admiration. By the play's climax, where she makes a pivotal choice to leave Torvald, Nora emerges as a figure of empowerment, deciding to seek her own identity, which garners a degree of respect and admiration.
Step 3
Identify one episode or incident from the play, A Doll's House, which you find shocking or surprising. Explain why you find this episode or incident shocking or surprising.
Answer
One particularly shocking incident in A Doll's House occurs when Nora decides to leave Torvald after the letter revealing her secret loan is read. This moment is unexpected as it illustrates her breaking free from societal expectations and oppressive constraints of her marriage. The emotional weight of this decision is further accentuated by Torvald's reaction—his self-centered concern for his image rather than for Nora's feelings—making it startling for the audience. It reflects the struggle for autonomy and the pursuit of self-realization, which were particularly bold themes for the time.