Including: The messages convayed in the stage directions. The dipiction of Nora's and Thorvold's relationship.
Page 147- Stage directions, setting
- Modern, realistic theater. Little room for the director to use artistic liscence.
- Objective Correlative (the setting in some way represents a character), the stage directions are and object correlation representing Nora (buys without thinking, but also saving money) and Thorvold Helmer (doesn't want to save money, but wants to show off). Helmer's study is only one door away, his private place, Nora often sidles up to it. Books show his education, puts money and value into education, 'hansomely' show's masculinity of the books, Man controlls education, learning is apart from the family. This is a microcosmic situation of class within the family showing gender difference.
- Staged directions, show that they are middle class
- simplistic, organised house furished wasting no money yet still looks good. Makes use of the money which they have. Care about the look of their house, by placing objects well/ having a good layout, it shows that they care for the state of their house which gives a good impression to visitors.
- comforatble for regular use, good layout suggest regular use, round table and sofa-comfortable to sit down and have a conversation. Easy chairs for late night, relaxing, comfortable. This part of the house is used for a number of functions.
- The piano suggests that they are cultured, have an interest in music/dance
- It is winter, carpet and fire to show warmth. Christmas tree symbolises new life, and winter symbolises death, 'death' brought into the house.
- the position of the middle class in society (Ibsen often writes about this as it is part of his upbringing)
- Nora first appears happy-by the end she is not
- Porter and maid- they can't be that poor, as they have 'staff' yet Heler always acts as though they are very tight on money
- Nora has her own ways of doing things, e.g. with the christmas tree, "the children musn't see it till this evening."
- Pays more than needed for the tree, "keep the change," shows that she is in a joyous mood, doesn't act as if she is saving money, if anything that she has pleanty to share- but as found out later that she is in need of money- it is possibly just the joyous christmas mood and she wan't to make the porter happy., or give him the impression that she and Helmer are well off.
- Acts a bit like he's her older brother.
- Laughing quietly and happily to herself, reinforces that she is in a joyous mood.
- Eats a few macaroons, creeps to her husband's study door to see if he is in, gives the idea that she is rebelious. Afterwards she starts humming again to make sure he isn't suspicious.
- In Helmer's first line, he adresses her as, "my little skylark," making her sound weak (small, and birds are light with thin bones,) and a type of animal, degrading showing that his status and physical strenght is far superior, but the use of a nickname shows their intamacy.
- His next line compares her to a "little squirell," again showing her supposed weakness, and calling her a type of animals- same effects as "little skylark."
- Nora hides the macaroons and wipes her mouth, further showing that she doesn't want him to know that she has been eating them.
- She call's him Torvold, his first name showing intamacy, but everyone else calls him Helmer
- He call's her "featherbrain," meaning stupid, and this name links to his other pet name for her, "song bird," which also gives the idea that when he calls her skylark, it to is meaning that she isn't smart/educated in handling money.
- He calls it "wasting money," but she wants to make chrismas as enjoyable as possible, and believes that they are in a secure enough situation to do so.
- Nora brings up the idea of borrowing money, Helmer is strongly against it-first hint that she borrowed money behind his back, although this isn't obvious when reading the play for the first time.
- Helmer says that it's a sin to borrow money, but that's what his 'little skylark' has done. Throughout the play, she is trying to save money to pay Krogstad back. Show's Helmer's perspective, and what she has done.
- Act's like a little kid/ gold digger, H-"Guess what I have here!" N-"Money"
- Nora acts upset, goes to the stove, to please her/make her like him, Thorvold pulls out his wallet to give her money.
- Counts out money and thanks for it, "This'll keep me going for a long time!" Enough money to pay Krogstad back for a bit.
- Lists what she's bought, makes it clear that she didn't spend too much.
- "Nanny really ought to have something more," wants to spend more, but knows that she needs to save up even more.
Page 150
- N-[Squealing] "No Torvold!" She acts childish, appears that she is younger than Torvold
- Nora says that she doesn't want anything, then plays with his waistcoat buttons. This shows that at this part of the play, their bodies are very close together, and playing with his waistcoat is an intimate guesture. She is doing this to please him, trying to subtely show him how much she likes him.
- She rushes when she asks for money as if she knows that its the wrong thing to do, feels ashamed, especially because he just gave her money.
- She manages to persuade him that its a good idea as shown by H-smiling
- Helmer puts an arm around her waist, which is intimate and affectionate. Shows that what he is saying to her about spending the money isn't being said to hurt her.
Page 151
- Nora is able to make Helmer laugh, she amuses him, this throughout the book seems to be what he likes most about her, then she can sing and dance-entertaining him.
- Him laughing makes her happy, nodding and smiling happily, it is her intention to please him so she gets what she wants and its working. Hint at the "expences" that she has, paying back the loan, telling him to "imagine," she doesn't think he would ever dream of it.
- wagging his finger, acting like he is a parent and she is a child, shows on a microcosmic scale the hierachy, she is well below him as a wife.
- Lies to Torvold, she has had macaroons/ sweets. Shows that she is not honest with him.
No comments:
Post a Comment