A Doll’s House
Complete act summaries
Act I
Pages 5-15
A young woman, Nora, enters her living room on Christmas Eve, followed by a porter with a
Christmas tree. Her husband, Torvald, leaves his study to greet her in a playful manner, but chastises
her for spending so much money. They have had to previously be careful with spending, but
Torvald’s new position at a bank means that this is no longer the case. Christine Linde, Nora’s school
friend, visits, a widow without any saving or inheritance who had had to care for her ailing mother
and two younger brothers, but now feels purposeless. Nora pledges to help her find employment
through Torvald, but then reveals a secret: without Torvald’s knowledge, Nora illegally borrowed
money to finance a lifesaving trip to Italy for him, under the pretence it was an inheritance from her
father. Working in secret to earn money, she will soon have the loan repaid in full.
Pages 16-28
Krogstad, a bank employee, calls upon Torvald. Once they finish their meeting, Torvald agrees to hire
Christine and they depart. Nora’s children return and she plays with them until Krogstad reappears.
After Nora sends the children out, Krogstad attempts to use the fact that he is the source of Nora’s
loan as leverage, to coerce her into persuading her husband to retain him at the bank. Her father’s
signature on documentation for the loan was forged, so he uses this to blackmail her. Krogstad
leaves, and when Torvald returns he rebuffs all Nora’s attempts at persuasion. She decorates the
Christmas tree anxiously, upset by the events of the day.
Act II
Pages 29-39
On Christmas Day, Nora is still unsettled, and Christine arrives to help mend her dress. Nora reveals
that Dr Rank, a family friend, has a terminal illness, but this leads Christine to suspect the doctor as
the source of Nora’s loan. Nora once again entreats Torvald not to fire Krogstad, but he refuses.
When Torvald leaves, Dr Rank appears and stoically reveals that he is close to death. As Nora is
preparing to ask for his assistance with the loan, he discloses that he is in love with her. At this, Nora
is horrified and refuses to ask his assistance, withdrawing her friendliness immediately.
Pages 40-47
Krogstad demands an explanation for his dismissal, changing the terms of the blackmail. It seems
that he is uninterested in any fiscal benefits, only in regaining respectability and assuming a superior
position at the bank. He places a letter detailing Nora’s misconduct in Torvald’s letterbox. Highly
agitated, Nora divulges everything to Christine, who immediately leaves to confront Krogstad. To
distract Torvald, Nora practices the dance she will perform at the impending party; she dances wildly
in her emotional state, displeasing Torvald, but manages to secure his promise that he will not open
to letters until her performance is over. Christine returns, as Krogstad is away from his house.
Act III
Pages 48-57
As the party occurs, Christine and Krogstad meet in the Helmers’ living room. They were once
enamoured, but Christine spurned Krogstad for a wealthier man who could sustain her family. She
declares that she is now free of her familial obligations and wishes to once again be with Krogstad
and care for his children. Initially sceptical, Krogstad is overjoyed and intends to withdraw his letter,
Complete act summaries
Act I
Pages 5-15
A young woman, Nora, enters her living room on Christmas Eve, followed by a porter with a
Christmas tree. Her husband, Torvald, leaves his study to greet her in a playful manner, but chastises
her for spending so much money. They have had to previously be careful with spending, but
Torvald’s new position at a bank means that this is no longer the case. Christine Linde, Nora’s school
friend, visits, a widow without any saving or inheritance who had had to care for her ailing mother
and two younger brothers, but now feels purposeless. Nora pledges to help her find employment
through Torvald, but then reveals a secret: without Torvald’s knowledge, Nora illegally borrowed
money to finance a lifesaving trip to Italy for him, under the pretence it was an inheritance from her
father. Working in secret to earn money, she will soon have the loan repaid in full.
Pages 16-28
Krogstad, a bank employee, calls upon Torvald. Once they finish their meeting, Torvald agrees to hire
Christine and they depart. Nora’s children return and she plays with them until Krogstad reappears.
After Nora sends the children out, Krogstad attempts to use the fact that he is the source of Nora’s
loan as leverage, to coerce her into persuading her husband to retain him at the bank. Her father’s
signature on documentation for the loan was forged, so he uses this to blackmail her. Krogstad
leaves, and when Torvald returns he rebuffs all Nora’s attempts at persuasion. She decorates the
Christmas tree anxiously, upset by the events of the day.
Act II
Pages 29-39
On Christmas Day, Nora is still unsettled, and Christine arrives to help mend her dress. Nora reveals
that Dr Rank, a family friend, has a terminal illness, but this leads Christine to suspect the doctor as
the source of Nora’s loan. Nora once again entreats Torvald not to fire Krogstad, but he refuses.
When Torvald leaves, Dr Rank appears and stoically reveals that he is close to death. As Nora is
preparing to ask for his assistance with the loan, he discloses that he is in love with her. At this, Nora
is horrified and refuses to ask his assistance, withdrawing her friendliness immediately.
Pages 40-47
Krogstad demands an explanation for his dismissal, changing the terms of the blackmail. It seems
that he is uninterested in any fiscal benefits, only in regaining respectability and assuming a superior
position at the bank. He places a letter detailing Nora’s misconduct in Torvald’s letterbox. Highly
agitated, Nora divulges everything to Christine, who immediately leaves to confront Krogstad. To
distract Torvald, Nora practices the dance she will perform at the impending party; she dances wildly
in her emotional state, displeasing Torvald, but manages to secure his promise that he will not open
to letters until her performance is over. Christine returns, as Krogstad is away from his house.
Act III
Pages 48-57
As the party occurs, Christine and Krogstad meet in the Helmers’ living room. They were once
enamoured, but Christine spurned Krogstad for a wealthier man who could sustain her family. She
declares that she is now free of her familial obligations and wishes to once again be with Krogstad
and care for his children. Initially sceptical, Krogstad is overjoyed and intends to withdraw his letter,
