A Doll's House: Act One Summary & Analysis

The play opens to a nicely decorated living room. The doorbell rings. Nora Helmer enters though the front door, dressed in her outdoor clothes and carrying lots of parcels. She is humming happily to herself. A porter enters behind her and delivers a Christmas tree ; Nora tells the maid to hide it so it is a surprise for the children, and gives the porter a large tip. The porter and the maid leave, and Nora eats some macaroons from her pocket. She goes and listens at the door of her husband Torvald’s study, noting to herself that he is in.

Torvald Helmer calls from his study, asking if Nora has just returned home and calling her his “little sky-lark” and “little squirrel.” Nora beckons him to enter the living room, quickly hiding the macaroons. She has been shopping and asks to show Torvald what she has bought. Torvald gently scolds her for spending too much. Nora replies that now Torvald is earning a large salary they can afford to spend more at Christmas; however, Torvald argues that, because his first paycheck won’t come for three months, they must still be careful with money.

Nora suggests they could borrow money and pay it back after Torvald receives his paycheck. Torvald replies that this is a typical way of thinking for a woman, and delivers an impassioned speech about the dangers of debt, urging Nora to “never borrow!”

Nora concedes: “just as you say, Torvald.” Torvald, not wanting to see her sulk, gives her more money. She is thrilled and thanks him enthusiastically.

Nora shows off the presents she has bought for the children (a doll for her daughter; a sword and a horse for the boys) and the maids, which she admits were cheap. She hides Torvald’s present for later. Torvald asks what she got for herself and Nora admits that she didn’t get anything. When Torvald asks what she wants she says she would simply like some money, so she can have longer to think about what she wants and buy herself something later on. Torvald calls her a “spendthrift” and claims that she is irresponsible with money, arguing that it is a trait inherited from her father.

Torvald says that Nora is looking guilty and asks several times if she went to the candy store. Nora lies and says she didn’t, saying she would “never dream of doing” anything Torvald did not want her to.

Torvald and Nora look forward to the evening, while recalling earlier Christmases when they didn’t have as much money and Nora had to make decorations herself. Torvald repeatedly expresses his happiness that those times are over now that he has a larger income.

Dr. Rank and an unnamed lady arrive. Torvald says he does not want to receive visitors, but it is too late as Dr. Rank is already in his study. Meanwhile, the lady is waiting to see Nora.

Torvald exits to meet Dr. Rank in his study, while the lady, wearing traveling clothes, is shown in to see Nora in the living room. The lady greets Nora, who at first doesn’t recognize her. Soon, however, Nora realizes it is Mrs. Linde. Nora remarks that Mrs. Linde has changed a great deal in the eight years since they last saw each other and tells her how happy she has been in the time that has passed. Nora is surprised and impressed that Mrs. Linde traveled to town in wintertime. She helps Mrs. Linde get comfortable and says that now Mrs. Linde looks like her old self again, only paler and thinner. Mrs. Linde notes that she is also a lot older. Nora interrupts the conversation and scolds herself for “chattering on” and remarks with sympathy that Mrs. Linde is now a widow. Mrs. Linde confirms that her husband died three years ago.

Nora asks if Mrs. Linde’s husband left her any money or children, and Mrs. Linde confirms that she was left nothing, and that their marriage was loveless. Nora asks in disbelief if that is possible, and Mrs. Linde explains that it “sometimes happens.” Nora remarks how sad it is that Mrs. Linde is now completely alone, and tells Mrs. Linde about her own three children.

Nora asks to hear about Mrs. Linde’s life, but before Mrs. Linde can say anything, Nora shares the news about Torvald’s promotion to Bank Manager. She explains that Torvald’s increased salary will allow them to live a better life. She tells Mrs. Linde how wonderful it is to have lots of money and not have to worry. Mrs. Linde replies that it must be nice to have enough money, to which Nora retorts, “not just enough, but pots and pots of money.”

Mrs. Linde says she remembers Nora being a “spendthrift” in their school days, and Nora admits that Torvald still calls her that. However, she says that she is smarter than that, and explains that she couldn’t have spent a lot as they haven’t had much money, and that she and Torvald have both had to work. Mrs. Linde is surprised. Nora says she did “odd jobs” such as sewing, embroidery, “and one or two other things besides.” She says that after they got married Torvald worked so hard that he became very sick, and that the doctors said he had to travel South in order to get better.

Mrs. Linde says she knows that Nora and Torvald spent a year in Italy, and Nora explains that, although it saved Torvald’s life, it wasn’t easy to go because it cost so much money. Mrs. Linde notes that it was lucky they had the money given the circumstances, and Nora says that they got it from her father, who died around the time that they left. Nora explains that, because she was heavily pregnant and taking care of Torvald, who was sick, she was unable to look after her father in his final days, and that this was the saddest thing that had happened to her during her marriage. Immediately after Nora’s father’s death, they left for Italy, and by the time they returned Torvald was completely cured and healthy again.

Mrs. Linde asks about Dr. Rank, wondering if his visit means Torvald is still in bad health. Nora explains that Dr. Rank is her and Torvald’s best friend and that he visits once a day, and that she herself, Torvald, and their children are all perfectly healthy. She exclaims that she is so happy to be alive, before once again scolding herself for talking too much about herself.

Nora asks if it is really true that Mrs. Linde did not love her husband, and why she married him. Mrs. Linde explains that she had to take care of her bedridden mother and two younger brothers and therefore felt she didn’t have a choice. She tells Nora that her husband had been wealthy, but following his death his business fell apart and thus she was left with nothing. She says that she has spent the last three years struggling to survive by opening a shop and running a school, but that this is now over as her mother has died and her brothers are working themselves.

Nora says Mrs. Linde must feel relieved, but Mrs. Linde says she feels empty and purposeless because she has “nobody to live for any more.” She says she wanted to move in order to find a steady job, maybe in an office. Nora says that that kind of work is exhausting and Mrs. Linde would be better off taking a holiday, to which Mrs. Linde replies that she doesn’t have a father she can fall back on for money. Mrs. Linde laments how easy it for someone in her position to become bitter and says she ends up only thinking about herself. She admits that she was happy to hear about Torvald’s promotion because she hopes that he will help her find a job.

Nora promises to help persuade Torvald to give Mrs. Linde a job. Mrs. Linde thanks her, saying Nora’s behavior is exceptionally kind considering Nora hasn’t had to struggle much herself. Nora is shocked by the accusation and says that she has had to put up with more than Mrs. Linde may realize. She says Mrs. Linde is just like everyone else who doesn’t think she is responsible enough to handle serious matters. She reveals that in everything she has told Mrs. Linde there is a “big thing” that she has concealed.

Nora mentions that Mrs. Linde is proud of having been able to look after her mother and brothers, and says that she too has something to be proud of. Before revealing what it is, Nora implores Mrs. Linde to be quiet and says that nobody must find out about it. She then explains that she was the one who saved Torvald’s life. Although everyone thinks that the money for the trip to Italy came from Nora’s father, Nora reveals that it was in fact she herself who raised it. Mrs. Linde is shocked and asks how it was possible, wondering if Nora won a sweepstake.

Nora at first won’t reveal how she acquired the money, delighting in keeping Mrs. Linde in suspense. Mrs. Linde says it can’t be possible for Nora to have borrowed the money, because a woman cannot do that without her husband’s consent. Nora hints that if the woman has “a sense for business” it might be possible, but also says that she may or may not have borrowed it. She says that, considering how attractive she is, an admirer could have given it to her. Mrs. Linde chastises her for being silly.

Mrs. Linde, worried, asks if Nora has done something rash. Nora says that she saved her husband’s life, something that couldn’t be considered rash. Mrs. Linde replies that, regardless of circumstances, acting behind her husband’s back is a rash move. Nora explains that the “whole point” was that Torvald wasn’t supposed to know how ill he was nor how Nora acquired the money for the Italy trip. She says she tried to convince him to go without revealing the gravity of his illness, but that Torvald thought she was being frivolous and refused.

Mrs. Linde asks if Torvald ever found out about the money, and if Nora ever confided in him. Nora says he never found out, and that she would never say anything because Torvald is proud and would be humiliated by the thought that he owed his wife something. She explains that it would destroy their marriage. Mrs. Linde asks if she will ever tell Torvald the truth. At first, Nora says she may, but only after many years, when she is less attractive and Torvald is less in love with her. However, she cuts herself off, saying that would never happen.

Nora asks what Mrs. Linde thinks of her now that she knows about her secret, and seems to think that Mrs. Linde’s opinion of her will have improved. Before Mrs. Linde can answer, though, Nora explains that there is something that has been worrying her. She says that she’s always been able to meet the installment deadlines for paying back the debt by saving money out of her own allowance. She was not able to take money out of the housekeeping or the children’s clothes, as both these needed to be of high quality. She explains that whenever Torvald gave her money to spend on herself, she always only spent half of what he gave her, and admits that was difficult.

Nora goes on to explain that she supplemented the savings from her allowance by doing copying work at night. She says that it made her very tired but that it was nonetheless fun to work and earn money and that it was “almost like being a man.” Mrs. Linde asks how much Nora has been able to pay off and Nora admits that she’s not sure; she has simply focused on paying the installments when she needs to. She then tells Mrs. Linde that she would daydream about inheriting the fortune of a rich old man who was in love with her. Mrs. Linde, confused, asks who the man is, and Nora explains it is only a fantasy. She goes on to say that she doesn’t bother thinking about a rich old man anymore as her troubles have ended. She talks about how wonderful it would be to be carefree and only have to think about doing things for Torvald and enjoying her time with the children.

The doorbell rings. The maid announces that it is someone to see Torvald, but that she isn’t sure whether to show him in yet as Torvald is still with Dr. Rank. Nora asks who it is, and Nils Krogstad announces himself. Mrs. Linde gasps and turns away. Nora asks in a tense murmur what Krogstad wants with Torvald. Krogstad replies that he wants to talk to Torvald about bank matters as they both work at the bank. Nora hesitates, but after Krogstad insists that he is here on routine business matters only, Nora tells him to go to Torvald’s study.

Mrs. Linde asks Nora who it was at the door. Nora replied that it was Krogstad. Mrs. Linde reveals that she used to know Krogstad many years before and says he’s changed a lot since then. Nora explains that his marriage wasn’t happy, that his wife has died and that he has many children. Mrs. Linde asks Nora if it’s true that Krogstad does business “on the side.” Nora answers vaguely, saying she doesn’t know and that they should change the subject.

Dr. Rank enters. Nora introduces him to Mrs. Linde. Mrs. Linde says they came in to the house together, but that she went slower than him as she has difficulty carrying things up the stairs. Dr. Rank asks if she has a disability, to which Mrs. Linde replies that she is only a little run down. Dr. Rank asks if she has come to town for a holiday, but Mrs. Linde says she is here to work. Dr. Rank jokingly asks if work is a “sovereign remedy” for being run down. Mrs. Linde replies: “One must live, Doctor.”

Nora, breaking the tension, says that Dr. Rank is as keen to live as anybody. Dr. Rank says yes, that he, along with all his patients, wish to “let things drag on as long as possible,” even if they are miserable. He notes that one example of someone who thinks like this is the man with Torvald. Nora asks what he means and Dr. Rank replies that it is a man called Krogstad who is “rotten to the core,” and that Nora wouldn’t know him. Nora asks what he is talking to Torvald about, and Dr. Rank replies that it was something to do with the bank. Nora says she didn’t know that Krogstad worked at the bank, and Dr. Rank says that there is a phenomenon of finding people who are morally corrupt and giving them decent jobs in order to keep an eye on them.

Nora suddenly bursts out laughing and Dr. Rank inquires what she laughing about, asking if she knows what society is. Nora replies that she was laughing about something entirely different, and asks if everyone who works at the bank is now under Torvald’s control. Dr. Rank, shocked, asks if that is what Nora is laughing about. Nora, smiling, tells Dr. Rank not to mind, but keeps talking happily to herself about how amusing it is that Torvald has power over so many people.

Nora offers Dr. Rank a macaroon. He says he thought they were forbidden in Nora’s house. Nora lies that Mrs. Linde gave them to her, and when Mrs. Linde acts surprised, Nora quickly assures her that it’s all right because she wasn’t to know that Torvald banned them. Nora eats a macaroon and walks happily around the room, saying there’s one thing she’d like to do at that moment. She says it’s something she’d like to say to Torvald, something “not very nice.” After probing from Mrs. Linde and Dr. Rank, she reveals that she would like to say “damn.” Both Mrs. Linde and Dr. Rank are extremely shocked.

Torvald enters and Nora quickly hides the macaroons. Nora asks if Torvald “got rid of” Krogstad, and Torvald replies that yes, Krogstad has left. Nora introduces Torvald to Mrs. Linde and says that Mrs. Linde has come all the way to town to talk to Torvald. Mrs. Linde, embarrassed, tries to explain that that wasn’t exactly true, but Nora interrupts her to say that Mrs. Linde would like a job, and that having heard Torvald had been made Bank Manager set off straight away. Nora asks if Torvald will give her a job, and, after checking that she is a widow and that she has business experience, Torvald says it is likely he can find something. Mrs. Linde thanks him.

Mrs. Linde, Torvald, and Dr. Rank all go to leave. As they go, Nora asks that they return that evening. The nursemaid and the children enter, and Nora runs excitedly to let them in. Nora kisses her children and asks Mrs. Linde: “aren’t they lovely?” Before Mrs. Linde replies, Torvald ushers her and Dr. Rank out, saying that the house is now “unbearable for anybody except mothers.”

Nora talks to her children, who tell her what they’ve been doing outside. The nursemaid offers to take the children’s coats and hats off but Nora says she will do it, throwing the garments on the floor. Her children all talk at once to her. They play hide and seek; Nora hides under the table and pretends to frighten the children.

The door half opens. Krogstad stands in the doorway, waiting. Eventually he announces himself. Nora jumps up, startled, and asks what he wants. He says that someone left the door open to the house by accident. She tells him Torvald isn’t home. Krogstad replies that he wants to talk to Nora. Nora tells her children to go to the nursemaid, and assures them that the “strange man” won’t do anything to her. Once the children are gone, she asks what Krogstad wants, as it is not the first of the month. He replies that it is Christmas Eve, and it depends on Nora what kind of Christmas she has.

Krogstad says that he saw Torvald walking down the street earlier with a lady. Nora asks if the lady was Mrs. Linde; Krogstad says it was, and explains that he used to know her. Nora says that she knew that, and Krogstad replies: “Oh, so you know all about it.” He asks if Torvald is giving Mrs. Linde a job at the bank. At first Nora is offended, asking how dare Krogstad interrogate her, given that he is one of Torvald’s subordinates. Eventually, however, she reveals that Torvald is indeed giving Mrs. Linde a job. She boasts that she influenced the decision, arguing that just because she is a woman doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have influence.

Krogstad asks in a more polite tone if Nora will use her influence to his advantage. He explains that he needs Nora’s help to keep his job at the bank. Nora, confused, asks who wants to take it from him. Krogstad, thinking she is playing ignorance, implies he is aware that Mrs. Linde is getting his job and says that he therefore knows who to thank for the fact that he is being fired. He asks Nora to use her influence to stop the whole thing happening. Nora insists that she has no influence. Krogstad points out that she just claimed to have influence, to which Nora replies that she didn’t mean it and that she of course doesn’t have influence over her husband.

Krogstad says he knew Torvald in their student days and is sure he is no more “steadfast” than other married men. Nora, outraged, tells Krogstad he must leave if he talks disrespectfully of Torvald. Krogstad remarks that she has courage, and Nora replies that she’s not frightened of him anymore, as after New Year the whole “business” between them will be over. Krogstad says he will fight with his life for his job, but explains that it is not for the money. He tells Nora that a few years ago he got mixed up in “a bit of trouble.” He says although he didn’t get in legal trouble it has made it difficult to get a job, and therefore he has been forced to do business on the side, like lending money to Nora. He explains that the job at the bank was the first step on the ladder of respectability, and that by firing him Torvald is kicking him off that ladder.

Nora says she cannot help Krogstad; he insists that this is only because she doesn’t want to, and that he has a way of forcing her. Nora, shocked, asks if he would tell Torvald about the debt. Krogstad suggests that he might, and Nora begins to cry, saying that the secret is her “pride and joy” and that it would be “horribly unpleasant” if Torvald heard about it from Krogstad. Krogstad asks if it would be merely unpleasant, and Nora tells him that if Torvald found out he would certainly not give Krogstad a job, but rather just pay off the rest of the money immediately.

Krogstad remarks that either Nora doesn’t have a good memory or she doesn’t know much about business. He then recalls each step of the story of how Nora got the loan from him. He reminds Nora that he promised to find the money to lend her on the condition that she and her father signed an IOU. Nora says yes, she and her father did sign the IOU. Krogstad agrees that Nora did bring back the IOU with the two signatures and that therefore he gave her the money. But he then reminds her that it had been at a difficult time for her, when her father was very ill, shortly before he died. Krogstad then asks Nora on what date her father died, and she tells him the 29 September. Krogstad reveals that the date next to Nora’s father’s signature was 2 October, three days after he died. Krogstad says the handwriting on the date was also not Nora’s father’s, but another, familiar handwriting. He suggests that perhaps Nora’s father forgot to add a date and that someone else added the date afterwards, which he says would be acceptable, but asks her if the signature is truly her father’s. Nora replies defiantly that no, it had in fact been her who signed her father’s name.

Krogstad tells Nora how dangerous it was for her to admit to signing her father’s name, and says it would have been better if she had never gone on the trip. Nora protests, saying she didn’t have a choice as Torvald’s life was on the line. Krogstad asks her if she ever realized she was committing fraud; Nora replies that it wouldn’t have mattered to her. Krogstad insists that she has no idea what she’s done. He tells her that he committed a similar offence, and that it destroyed his reputation. Nora asks if Krogstad also risked everything to save his wife’s life, but Krogstad only replies that the law doesn’t take motives into account. Nora cannot believe that the law wouldn’t make an exception for the fact that her father was dying and that Torvald could also have died. Krogstad tells her that he knows about business transactions, and that if he is “pitched out” again, Nora will be going down with him. He exits.

Nora, alone, tells herself that Krogstad is just trying to scare her. The children stand in the doorway and tell her Krogstad has left. Nora urges them not to tell anyone about his visit. The children ask if she will play with them again, and Nora tells them she can’t, ushering them out of the room. Alone again, she picks up her embroidery for a moment, before throwing it back down. She calls to the maid and asks her to bring her the Christmas tree. She mutters to herself: “No, really, it’s quite impossible!” The maid brings the Christmas tree into the room, and Nora dismisses her.

Nora decorates the tree, still talking to herself, saying everything Krogstad has said is nonsense and that she will do anything Torvald wants her to. Torvald enters and asks if anybody has visited the house. Nora says there hasn’t been anybody, and Torvald replies that he just saw Krogstad leaving the house. Nora says that yes, Krogstad was there for a moment, and Torvald says he can tell that Krogstad has asked Nora to put in a good word for him and pretend it was her idea. Nora admits that Torvald is right. Torvald, incredulous, asks why Nora made promises to “a person like that,” and why she lied to him. He tells her she must never do anything like it again: “Little song-birds must keep their pretty little beaks out of mischief.” He concludes that they won’t talk about it anymore.

Nora continues to decorate the Christmas tree and tells Torvald she is excited for the Stenborgs’ fancy dress ball on Boxing Day. Torvald replies that he is excited to see what “surprise” Nora got for him. Nora brushes it off, saying it’s silly and that everything seems absurd and pointless. Torvald is surprised. Nora asks him if he’s busy and what papers he’s working on; Torvald replies he has been given authority to make changes in the bank’s organization and personnel over the Christmas week. Nora begins to say that that is why “poor Krogstad” is losing his job, but is interrupted by an annoyed “Hm!” from Torvald.

Nora strokes Torvald’s hair and says that if he weren’t so busy she’d ask him to give her advice on what her costume should be for the fancy dress ball, as no one has as good taste as him. Torvald replies that his “impulsive little woman” is asking to be rescued, and Nora says she never gets anywhere without Torvald’s help. Torvald agrees to help her.

Nora casually asks what Krogstad’s crime was. Torvald replies that it was forgery, and asks if Nora knows what that means. Nora suggests that perhaps Krogstad was forced by circumstances to commit his crime. Torvald replies that this is possible, but that it is more likely that he just “didn’t think,” and that he would not condemn a man for a single mistake if he were to honestly confess and receive his punishment. However, Torvald explains that Krogstad dodged the consequences of his crime by a “cunning trick.”

Torvald says a man like Krogstad will forever have to lie, even to his own family, and that the worst part is the fact that “a fog of lies like that” spreads and infects children. He claims that as a lawyer he knows that most juvenile delinquents are the children of dishonest mothers. Nora asks why it is mothers in particular who have this affect. Torvald admits that fathers can have the same influence, but that it is mostly mothers. He says that Krogstad has been “poisoning” his own children for years with lies and deceit, and that he feels sick in the presence of people like that. He asks that Nora shake hands on a promise not to put in any more good words for Krogstad. At first she hesitates, but eventually shakes Torvald’s hand.

Nora backs away from Torvald, saying she feels hot. Torvald gets up and says he must do some work, as well as think about Nora’s costume, before dinner. He also implies that he will wrap up some money in gold paper to hang on the Christmas tree for Nora, as she requested. After laying his hand affectionately on her head, he exits.

Nora repeats to herself “it’s impossible.” The nursemaid calls saying that the children keep asking if they can be let in to see their mother. Nora tells the nursemaid to not let them in, and the nursemaid closes the door. Alone and “pale with terror,” Nora cries out about poisoning her children and corrupting her home. She exclaims: “It could never, never be true!”