Congratulations!!!

Thank you for all your hard work this semester!

Have a wonderful break, enjoy the holidays, and best of luck on all your future endeavors!

Extra Credit

What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,                                     -A
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain                                                    -B 
Under my head till morning, but the rain                                                      -B
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh                                                     -A
Upon the glass and listen for reply,                                                                -A 
And my heart there stirs a quiet pain                                                             -B
For unremembered lads that not again                                                         -B
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.                                                         -A 
Thus in the winter stands the lonely tree,                                                     - C
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,                                       - D
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:                                             - E
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,                                             - D
I only know that summer sang in me                                                           - C
A little while, that in me sings no more.                                                       - E

Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "What my lips have kissed, and where, and why" is written in sonnet form. A sonnet has fourteen lines and is written in iambic pentameter. This particular sonnet is an Italian Sonnet with the rhyme scheme of a b b a a b b a in the first octave. In the following sestet, the rhyme scheme is c d e d c e. 

Alternate Ending to "A Doll's House"

The stage is set like a dimly lit street. Businesses closed for the night lined up like sleeping cattle. There are two street lamps, one on each side of a cobble stone road. Under the street lamp on stage left, Mrs. Linde stands leaning against it smoking a cigarette. Nora enters from stage right, suitcase in hand, expressing a strong sense of urgency. She is composed but visually bothered. As she turns the corner under stage right’s street lamp, Nora spots Mrs. Linde.

Nora: Kristine! (Nora runs towards Mrs. Linde as if her legs could barely support her weight.  Her eyes are watery but she is not crying) Oh Kristine! What have I done all these years? 

Mrs. Linde: (startled and confused, takes one last brief drag and tosses her cigarette into the street) What? What do mean?

Nora: These last eight years of my life. The sacrifices I have made, the risks I took, all for what? A boy wearing a man’s disguise.

Mrs. Linde: Nora, slow down. Why do you have a suitcase? What’s going on? Did you tell Torvald the truth?

Nora: (catching her breath) I didn’t have to. He read Krogstad’s letters. But oh how horrible. The     things he said to me. I sat there and listened to him tear me to shreds with his words, never once acknowledging what I did for him! I’m a fool Kristine! (looks to the dark  nights sky) A fool!  

Mrs. Linde: Calm down Nora. You’re not a fool. (goes to give Nora a hug) You were in love. You did what you felt was the right thing to do at the time. (after a pause she releases Nora from the friendly hug) I understand why you borrowed the money. I may not have agreed with it, but I understand why. If Torvald wasn’t able to see past the illegal nature of what you did then he is the fool Nora, not you.

(Nora looks down and gently rubs her eyes clear from any would-be tears, then looks  back up at Mrs. Linde)

Nora: Really? Do you think so?...But what about the children? What if this is all a big mistake?

Mrs. Linde: (confident and stern) Listen to me. Leaving tonight was the best decision you have           ever made. You are free. (Nora looks at Mrs. Linde and forms unbreakable, but soft eye contact) Free to make something of yourself. Free to find someone who sees you as a partner in life, not a pet. As for the children, they will be in good hands with Helene. Torvald… he will recover from this and he will still have a job so your babies wont starve. Write them, and when they are old enough to understand, you can explain to them how the strength you possessed as a woman was far too intimidating to Torvald. He            left you no choice but to walk away.

Nora: (after a short pause, takes a deep breath and exhales slowly) You’re right. You were always right Kristine. Thank you. You really are a true friend.

(Stage lights dim and the curtain closes)

extra credit

scene : Nora picks up her bag, and waves her hand to Helmer. Then, Nora goes out the home in a hurry. She arrives at Kristine's home by taking a taxi. The doorbell is ringing. Kristine opens the door, and let Nora into her bedroom.
Kristine: What's matter, Nora? Why do you come here late at night?
Nora:  I leave my house. I am homeless. So, your house is only place I can go.
Kristine: Are you broken? You and Mr.Helmer?
Nora: Actually no. I just leave him. We all need to calm down and think about the problem with us.
Kristine:Problem? You look like so loving.
Nora: Yes, I really love him very much. But he...
Kristine: Mr.Helmer don't love you? No, no, no... He is very kind to you.
Nora: Yes, he is very kind to me. But, I have been his  doll-wife. He treats me just like my fsther does. He gives me his opinion about everything. He arranges everthing according to his own  taste, and so I have to have all the same tastes as him. I am just like a doll without any thoughts. I cannot endure the life such like that. Thus, I leave him, leave my children, leaving  my family. I even think about killing myself.
Kristine: Don't! Don't do that. You should consider more about your chiildren. They need you.
Nora: But... I cannot find a good reason for me to live. I don't know what I should do.
Shortly afterwards, Nora and Kristine are silent. Then, Nora burst into tears.

Extra Credit

Same scene. The kids and maids are asleep. Helmer still sits in the chair by the door. Unsure of what he will do, he repeatedly open and closes the door. He hears rapid steps down the hall. Enters Krogstad.


Krogstad: Mr. Helmer!  My letter, her note!  Did you not receive it? I am here because a miracle has occurred in my life-- and you have committed a terrible mistake. To turn away from your wife--, did you not read my note?

Helmer:  I did no such thing. Never to turn away from my wife, but miracles, miracles do come true, don't they? Yes, they do.

Krogstad: As I was leaving Kristine's, I turned around to gaze at my miracle, and I saw your wife entering Kristine's home. There she was, your Nora, very distraught. You must have read the letter and disowned her for her crime.

Helmer: No, I forgave her but she left me! She said we never had a true marriage. She said that all these years, I was a stranger who only mistreated her. Is she right, Krogstad? No she can't be. I nurtured her and I loved her. Like a child, she said. Like a doll, I made all the decisions for her. She's right. I did, but that is how our relationship is suppose to be.

Krogstad: It is. But Helmer, do we always have to behave the way we are expected to? Kristine-- my miracle-- the job you have offered her will allow her to support both of us. That is not the way, but I have accepted it because it is her wish. I must allow it for her sanity, regardless of what society thinks.

Helmer: You are right. I must do the same. I must change my ways if I wish to have my Nora back. Nora wants the freedom to make her own decisions, she wants to know herself and she wants purpose. Satisfying her family is not enough for her like the other women. My reputation will be harmed if I allow this but it is her wish.

Krogstad: You must! Go now!

Helmer: I will but not now. It is not time yet. She has not achieved what she desires. She is still a stranger to herself. I must fall in love with who she is and in order for that to happen, she must be made. I too, must reflect on what has occurred tonight. Alone, I must think.

Krogstad: As you wish. Best of luck Helmer. Goodnight.

Helmer: Thank you. Although your letters have caused this mess, they have also given Nora and I the opportunity to transform our marriage. Thank you, the miracle will come true.

Extra credit: Act of a Doll's House

The events that just occurred keep replaying in Torvald's mind. After Nora left he went straight to his office and just sat there to think about everything she said and try to make some sense out of it.
( There's a knock on the door but Torvald ignores it )
(Torvald notices somebody opening the door and realizes it is Krogstad)
Krogstad: Torvald I'm sorry to have come here so late; but Kristine told me what happened and I thought it was better if you talked to someone about it.
Torvald: (sighs) I don't understand what went wrong. I did everything possible to keep her happy and worry free.
Krogstad: Maybe that was the problem. You never listened to what she wanted. You always assumed she was happy with what she had.
Torvald: What she wanted? For heavens sake! What else could she have possibly wanted? She had everything. A perfect family, perfect house what else is there to want.
Krogstad: Your perfect family and home was all a lie. Don't you realize that?; She pretended to be happy. Meanwhile she was struggling to keep up with the payments of the loan that she had to get to save YOU.
Torvald: Dont even remind of that horrible event. That featherhead woman almost damaged my reputation with her immoral acts! But of course what else can I expect. She is just like her father!
Krogstad: For gods sake! Torvald! That "featherhead" woman as you called her saved your life. Thanks to her "immoral acts" you are still alive.
Torvald: What good is it to live if people see you as immoral and filthy? I'd rather die in honor than live in misery!
Krogstad: (walking away) I give up! You are never going to change.

Extra Credit: ACT III of A Doll's House

Scene: Nora goes through the hall in a hurry carrying her bags. Nora's heart is pacing and her facial expression looks curious and eager. As Nora makes her way out of her home in a rush, she runs into Mrs. Linde. 

Nora:  Mrs. Linde! Good heavens you frightened me.What are you doing here?

Mrs Linde: Helmer called me and told me what happened. ( looks at Nora's bags.) Have you lost your mind child? How can you be so selfish and leave your husband and children.

Nora: I am not being selfish! I am tired, tired of this doll house I've been living in for the past 11 years. You were right I am a child, so I need to grow into a strong and mindful women and I cannot do it in this house.

Mrs Linde: (looks at Nora with shock.) Nora my dear I think your making a mistake. It is dangerous for a women like you out there. You have no idea what you are doing, you're acting on impulse. Helmer and the children need you.

Nora: They don't Kristine. How can I stay with a man who I'm not in love with. How can I raise children when I myself is still a child? I have no knowledge of life as a human being.

Mrs. Linde- Mrs. Nora I understand that you want to grow as a person. But your role as a mother and a wife must come first. Helmer told me on the phone that he would give you all the space that you desire. So you see there is no need to leave.

Nora- Mrs. Linde I can't stay here. My conscience will push me right through the door. I know in my heart that I need to grow as a women, then I can take care of my children but not here.

Mrs. Linde- And what about Helmer? You don't seem to have an ounce of sympathy for him. He has loved you and given you the world and this is how you treat him.

Nora-  I have appreciated everything that Helmer has done for me all these years. But now its time for me to be on my own and provide for myself.  I don't need Helmer I have fresh air in my lungs and and the ability to change for the first time.

Mrs. Linde- I think your making a mistake Nora. ( Moves out of the way, and lets Nora pass.) Be careful Nora and I hope you find what you are looking for.

Extra Credit. Act III

Scene: Nora has just left her husband and children and is outside wandering around trying to understand how she did not see her life so clearly before. Her mind is swirling and she is emotional. Upset and crying, Nora is wondering where to go, she does not want to be alone. Rain is starting to fall and she decides to take shelter in Ms. Linde's house

Knocking at Ms. Linde's door.

Ms. Linde: Nora, what are you doing out so late at night? You must be freezing and wet from the rain, come in.

Nora: Thank you, I am so sorry to come to your door at this hour, but I really do not have anywhere to go and I don't want to be by myself right now.

Ms. Linde: Of course, come in. Sit by the fire to warm yourself. Now tell me what happen. Did Trovald tell you to leave?

Nora: No, he would never do that to me. I left him. (sobbing) I can't go on living this way anymore. It is all such a  mess. My whole life is a lie. Why did I not realize this sooner?

Ms. Linde: Dear, please slow down and tell me everything. Maybe this is something that can be sorted out. We all say and do things in the heat of the moment that we do not mean. Surely this can be fixed.

Nora: No, it is over. I am never returning to that man. I loved him so much and I thought our bond was strong enough to survive this horrible ordeal, but the minute he opened the letter he changed from the man I once would give my life for to a complete stranger. I have lived my life pleasing others and I shall not continue this way.

Ms Linde: You cannot mean what you say. What about your children?

Nora: Trovald does not trust me with the children anymore. He believes that I am unfit to be a mother. I know I am a good mother, but how can I go on living in a house with a man that doubts me. I need to live my life and discover who I am. For once do things that I want to do.

Ms Linde: You are angry and upset. Let me fix up the spare bed and maybe after you sleep on it you will feel different in the morning. I have faith that your relationship is stronger than this and you will work it out. Please sleep on it.

Nora: Ms Linde your are very kind to take me in so late at night, but please listen to me when I tell you that I am certain that my life with Trovald is over. If you want to help me, help me by picking up my belongings tomorrow. That is all I ask of you.

Ms Linde: If that is what you wish for me to do, then I will. Now get some rest.

Extra Credit Due Thurs. Dec. 13 before class. Only students who have completed ALL assignments to date may submit an extra credit assignment

Only students who have submitted all assignments to date, including the first draft of Research Paper#2 which was due, in GoogleDrive, on Thurs. Dec. 6, may complete the extra credit assignment.

The extra credit assignment is due this Thursday, Dec. 13, before class.
Please read and follow the directions exactly, otherwise you'll not receive the extra credit.

Directions:
Choose ONE of the two extra credit options. Complete it according to the directions and post it on the class blog before our class meets on Thurs. Dec. 13. (Eng102.0869 students- you must post your extra credit before 9:15a.m.; Eng102.0850 students- you must post your extra credit before 2:15 p.m.) *If you complete both extra credit assignments, I'll only assess the first one you post.

                 Extra Credit assignment(if correctly done)= 10pts
                 incorrectly done Extra Credit= 0pts (*there is no partial credit)

Option #1:

Write a sonnet in response to either Millay's sonnet "What lips my lips have kissed and where and why" OR Shakespeare's "Let me not to the marriage of true minds". * Your response sonnet MUST follow the same conventions as the sonnet which you are responding to. Therefore, before you begin writing, you MUST determine whether the sonnet you are responding to is an Italian(Petrarchan) or English (Shakespearean) sonnet; what is the sonnet's rime scheme; how many syllables are in each line; how are the ideas presented/what each stanza conveys, etc.

Option#2
Write a dialogue between Nora and Kristine Linde OR a dialogue between Torvald Helmer and Nils Krogstad. The dialogue should pick up where Act III of Ibsen's A Doll's House left off.  First set the scene(5 sentences), and then compose the dialogue in which Nora explains to Kristine Linde, OR Torvald Helmer explains to Nils Krogstad, what has come to pass in the course of the play and why did it happen. *The dialogue must include AT LEAST five (5) parts spoken by Nora(or Torvald), each of which must be a minimum of two (2) sentences, and AT LEAST five (5) parts spoken by Kristine Linde (or Nils Krogstad), also two (2) sentences at the minimum.(*if your dialogue is longer than 450 words, I'll stop reading at the 450ieth word)

Act III

Wow I have so much respect for Nora and her newly found seeking to find herself.  Trovald didn't let her think for herself at all. A line from the play, after he gets the fraudulent note back from Krogstad, reads, "Helmer: I wouldn't be a man if this womanly helplessness didn't make you twice as attractive to me" (1166).  He treats her like an object, like she's completely incapable of conjuring up her own beliefs. Another line from the play reads, "Helmer: you're a blind senseless woman
Nora: Then I'd better try to get some sense, Trovald" (1168). Here is another case where Trovald is trying to implement that Nora's ineptitude to perceive logic is clearly evident. Which Nora is opposed to  after 8 years of feeling misunderstood and inferior.  The theme of tainting your children comes up agian, where Nora blames her father for treating her like a Doll-Child which is why she was so conditioned to haaving the same role in her marragie with Trovald. Her decision to leave the kids, although a very difficult decision, was made in order to protect them, and for them not to inherit her shifty personality traits. I'm proud of Nora and my final decision has been made; Nora is a caring and sensitive character.

2012-13----The 33rd -Library Research Review Competition--Research Review Competition Application-2012-13

The Library and Faculty Council are co-sponsoring the 33rd Annual Library Research Review Competition. Research papers written for courses taken at LaGuardia during the 2012-13 academic year may be entered into the competition by students or faculty. The deadline is June 29, 2013. 

Please Note : Research papers for courses taken during the 2012 Spring Semester-- Session II may be entered into the 2012-13 Competition. 

Prizes!!! 
First Place:              Kindle Fire, a 7" Full Color Multi-Touch Display Tablet with audio and built-in Wi-Fi
Second Place:        Kindle Touch 3G,  with audio and built-in Wi-Fi
Third Place:            Kindle Touch, with audio and built-in Wi-Fi 

Act III

Nora's decision to become independent seemed like the way Mrs. Linde had been living. She was giving up her marriage and wants to leave her children behind is kind of a selfish move by a mother. Mrs. Linde was going to take care of the man she loved and his children while Nora was taken her old role of being independent/alone. I believe that Mrs. Linde doing this would later prove to Nora that leaving her family during that time period would be a mistake.

Act III

     Wow. What an ending. Ms. Linde in what seemed to initially be an act of selfishness ended up setting Nora free. In retrospect, everything seemed to change too rapidly. Krogstad's position was too easily shifted by Ms. Linde's note and discussion, and Nora's moment of clarity came off extremely exaggerated. I guess I'm just being critical of the story because the first two acts were very detailed and well paced and then the final act felt like a rush to tie everything together. It made the whole story feel less authentic. In any case, Nora realizes that the last 8 years of her life have just been an extension of her childhood, playing the role of someone's doll. She decides she wants to make something of herself and leaves Torvald with very little hope of a return.

Act 3 A Dolls House

In Act three of a dolls house we see that Ms Linde and Krogstad had a relationship. I can't believe she could be so heartless to break up with him and write a letter to him to help him get over her. I didn't like that she changed her mind about helping Nora and convinced Krogstad to not ask for the letter when he had already made up his mind. It's not up to her if the secret had to be revealed or not because its not her life.

A Doll's Dilemma: Act III

The final act brings an unexpected resolution to Nora's dilemma as Krogstad has stumbled upon something that's more valuable to him than securing his job at the bank. This resolution comes with the revelation that Torvald is a husband in title only as we see that he's only concerned with protecting his own skin when he learns of Nora's 'crime' of trying to save him.

Nora's final decision in the story reveals something of a vicious circle, as its hinted that a great majority of the people in that society have been brought up without the presence of their mothers. Its been established that Nora was raised by her maid Anne Marie, who chose to raise her instead of her own children for the sake of earning a living. Mrs. Linde didn't have a mother around either as she had to become something of a surrogate mother, taking care of her brothers who don't realize the significance of the role of a mother as they abandon her after all is said and done. Krogstad's children is revealed to not have their mother in their lives as Mrs. Linde confesses her desire to Krogstad of wanting to be with him and become a mother for their children. While Torvald makes the assumption that Krogstad's mother is responsible for the 'morally bankrupt' character of her son, we don't know for certain that he had a mother in his life. If we were to take Torvald's claims of mothers establishing the morality of their children as a fact, then a great majority of the characters here have co-opted their morality from surrogates, such as the case with Nora and Anne Marie's children. Even with Torvald, we know that he's not the righteous man that he claims to be, which could suggest that he too didn't have his mother in his life, as suggested by the fact that he is allowing the maid to look after his own children instead of Nora despite his claims of the significance of mothers in one's upbringing.

Considering the subordinate status that women have in this setting, we see that women saddled with the  crucial responsibility of not only establishing one's morality, but also serving as the glue that keeps everyone together as the story carries undertones of abandonment of children during their development period in life.

Doll act 111 response Diana Lopez

Im a bit confused! What did the letter say?? Tarvold is a selfish man that only thought about his sake. Nora was right about leaving him, but I did not agree with her leaving her children behind. I understand she might be hurt upset etc. but a mother should always think about her children first. Nora felt like a toy who her husband dominated, therefore her decision to leave the house was fine, but she either should of kick him out or take her children with her.

A Doll's House: Act III

Torvald looks like a very selfish man. When he read the letter he was quick to blame Nora and not look at the reason why she committed that "crime". Nora's finally owned up to not being as stupid as her husband and father thought. But Torvald responds like the typical male "Why can't you understand your place in your own home?" (1169). It's ironic that he calls it her "own" home when he is used to her taking on the typical feminine role of being dominated by a man and taking care of the house and children. The ending was very unexpected and I wish we could find out what happens to Nora next. Would she succeed in her quest to educate herself since it's not what women at that time are doing?

"Act III Of A Doll's house"

after reading this play I didn't expect this type of end. at the beginning of the play look like a perfect relationship between husband and wife, then as years passed we how the circumstances make them to change the view of marriage.

Act III A Doll's House

It was only a matter of time before Nora snapped out of her innocent act. She hadn't loved him all along and he's begging her to stay. Honestly, he deserves better.

What made me laugh was how Torvald was speaking of Dr. Rank... how he was a grey shadow behind Torvald and Nora's happiness.

A Doll's House, Act III

I kind of didn't expect the ending, but it makes sense that Nora wanted to leave. I see a growth in her, in this last act. She took a stand for what she wanted and to be independent. I didn't see her much as a child anymore. Even the way she spoke, it didn't have the same tone, it was more mature. Since Nora was childish throughout the play, this ending was kind of like her growing up. Her husband didnt want her to leave, the same way a parent doesnt want their kid to leave when they go away to college or move out. I dont think she should have left her family behind, though. She could have easily made moves to become independent while still mending her relationship with her husband.

Act III of A Doll's House

  One thing that really stood out for me while I was reading act III was when Torvald said "I'd gladly work day and night for you, Nora,  and endure sorrow and poverty for your sake. But no mam would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves" ( Ibsen 1170). Torvald wouldn't give up his man pride and sacrifice himself because 'no real man would do that'.
   Through out the whole play Torvald lives in this bubble where he wants to stay away from "ugly thing" such as death, debt, and inmoral behavior. It is ironic because Nora is supposed to be the doll who doesn't know anything about the world and is naive but it is quite the opposite. Nora knows a lot she sacrificed herself for her husband, she knew what was right and she knew that there's certain things that you can avoid and that the "ugly things" are part of life. At the end of the day Nora finally has the guts to leave Torvald and surprisingly leaves her kids too. This is also ironic because at the beginning oif the play Nora was portrayed as the traditional woman that doesn't know anything except shopping, pleasuring her husband, and being a housewife and mother but at the end she ended up being the opposite of this "traditional woman" picture.

Act III of A Doll's House, Shaquesha Smith

In Act III of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen it surprised me to find out that Mrs. Linde and Krogstad dated. Ibsen writes "What was there to understand, except what the whole world could see--a heartless woman drops a man when a better catch comes along?" (1156). I didn't make any connections to why Mrs. Linde would talk to Krogstad for Nora to help her out of her situation. I wasn't surprised Mrs. Linde didn't want Krogstad to take the letter back as Ibsen writes "I'll ask for my letter back." (1158). I think Mrs. Linde really wants to help Nora by letting Torvald find out about the money Nora borrowed.

A Doll's House: Act 3 by Frances Ferreira

It was really sad how Nora suddenly decided to abondon everything and that it only took one conversation with her husband to go from seeing him as the man she's known and loved for over eight years to seeing him as a complete stranger and then says to his face that she no longer loves him. What I am not clear with is, what exactly made Nora react this way? It was so unexpected and she immediately made the decision to leave him. She even asked to exchange their rings which was a sign that she wants nothing to do with him anymore. I perceived Torvald very heartbroken; it all happened too quick to even digest what was going on.

Act III Diana Barbecho

I really like the three acts. I did not expect that Nora was gonna leave Helmer after all the sacrifices he did for her, after all the hard work he put on to give Nora a good life. When Nora talks to Helmer saying that she doesnt love him anymore i got very surprised, but she has the reason because he treats her as a kid, i know that that is very nice from a husband but Helmer should not have done that because he did not let Nora be a real woman not as she wanted to be. All the duties she was supposed to do was done for the maids or for the nursemaid.
Another thing i like of the acts is the romance that Mrs. Kristine and Krogstad, that surprises me a lot. I was not expecting this kind of end.

Act III: noelia lara

After I completed this play, I can say that I absolutely loved it! I did not expect the finally. Especially the romance between Krogstad and Mrs.Linde. I was also suprised how Nora ended up leaving and despite her crimes and Travold finding out, I still felt their emotions so powerfully. It was the first time a honestly saw how much Travold's love for Nora was. He didnt want to let her go despite knowing what she had done to Harm him and the family. This was an interesting play. My Question would be could Nora have forgiven her ownslef and maybe started fresh with Travold after everything she had done? Was their something they could have done for the childrens sake aswell?

Nancy Vargas

The important part of a relationship is to avoid selfish choices for a family. I believe that Nora and Tovard made choices without thinking of each other. I believe that Tovard act more like Nora’s father and not like her husband. My question is why do some women like to be dominated by their man? I believe that when woman let man dominated the relationship they are not happy and they feel like a piece of rag. Women have their own personal dreams and ambitions. When they are dominated and they need to get approve by their spouse all they dreams are worth nothing. I believe that Nora fits this perfect example and she lives in a prison. A relationship is supposed to be a partnership. Do we think that Nora likes to be dominated by her husband?

ACT III

After reading Act three, I was a little disappointed with Torvald. To me, he seemed as if he understood what it meant to be a husband, to share a union with someone. It seemed to me that he had a different type of deep love for Nora. So much to the point he became a pushover. However, his reaction towards finding out what Nora did was a little surprising to me. He was more embarrassed that Nora did what she did than he was concerned for the consequences of her crime if it become public. He was more concerned about his reputation.

"A Doll's House" Act 3

I think that Krogstad misunderstands Mrs.Linde. In Ibsen's "A Doll's House", Krogstad says, " What was there to understand, except what the whole world cold see-a heartless woman drops a man when a better catch comes along?"(1156). Krogstad thinks that Mrs.Linde is heartless woman. He thinks that Mrs.Linde abandons him becuase of money. Although Mrs.Linde abandons him because of money, she have to find the better one in order to support her family. Not only Krogstad feels sad, Mrs.Linde also feel sad.

Act III

I find the concept of love to be very interesting in the part that it plays in the theme of A Doll's House. The central theme that I am talking about is deception. Throughout the story there is a conflict between almost all the characters in which no one knows who to trust and bonds are formed over mutual feelings of this distrust. An example of this is how Krogstad and Mrs. Linde ended up together. It wasn't only because they both had been living unhappily but also because they shared the same judgements on the deception occurring in Nora and Torvald's relationship and felt it should end. In a less literal sense there was deception between Nora and Torvald in that the love they shared was really a lie and a facade. It was mostly to keep up appearances and to give the illusion that they had a happy family, not only deceiving the public, but Torvald and Nora as well. "The miracle" which Nora spoke of summed up how fake and deceiving their love was simply because Torvald was only concerned with his public image and once he felt it was tarnished because of Krogstad's letter he had no more love for Nora. But on the other hand his "feelings" completely changed once he had realized the crimes Nora committed would not be brought to light in front of everyone. I believe Nora had the right idea to be on her own to discover more about the world and societies around her, seeing as how Torvald was keeping her closeted and ignorant. It was the only real honest action of the whole play.

Act 3 "A Doll House"

"When I look back on it, it seems to me as if I have been living here like a poor woman — just from hand to mouth. I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and Papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault I have made nothing of my life." ....i find this part of act 3 interesting i can understand where Nora is coming from. We batter her for being a winy money hungry B**** but she's been spoiled rotten. Her father has taken care of her until she married Torvald and he clearly gives her anything she wants. She never needed to work but at the same time being cares for can be crippling. 

Act III of A Doll's House

Act III of A Doll's House showed the character of Nora coming into self realization. Nora realizes that all her life she was been treated like a child, by her father and husband. Nora sees that she is immature and childlike and knows that she needs to grow up before she can ever raise her children and take on responsibilities. Nora's strong ability to leave her husband Torvald as he pleads for her to stay, shows a sense of new found independence and control over her life for the first time. When Nora tells Torvald that her duty to herself is just as sacred as her duty as a wife and mother shows a self awakening for Nora. Nora starts to see herself as a human being with her own ambitions, beliefs, and thoughts that she needs to explore. The end of the play when Nora closes the door, represents Nora's awareness about the true reality of her life. Nora has been treated like a doll her own life , Nora has been her husband's play toy like many women during her time. Women back then were treated like dolls, they were objectified and not treated as adults. Instead, women like Nora were viewed as possessions to protect and be looked after by a patriarchal society. As a women, Nora had no choice but to leave her husband and children behind in order to find herself and gain a sense of independence and individuality as a women.

Act III

        I can relate to this act when they're fighting. I have been in situations with other people when I think a certain way about a person and then we fight.  It is like you have been hit in the head and everything you have thought about the other person haS vanished and now you see everything so clear. I think this is exactly what has happened to Nora. She believes that Trovald will stand by her when he reads the letter, but instead he insults her and tells her how ashamed he is of her and Nora is shocked. Everything is now in black and white instead of rose tinted glass. She knows exactly what she must do and finds an inner strength to leave her life behind to discover who she really is.

Act II

     Mrs. Linde is pressing Nora more in this act than the first one. She came off as more of a hesitant person with an agenda in Act 1. When Mrs. Linde gets the sense that Nora isnt telling her everything that is going on she doesnt brush it off. When Nora directs Mrs. Linde into children's room after she hears Torvald approaching from the hall, Mrs. Linde says, "All right, but I'm not leaving this house until we have talked this thing through"(1144).

Reconsidering Team Nora

Ultimately, I know Nora is doing everything in order to protect her name and the household dynamic in tact. But the way she connives and flirts, even with her husband's best friend, makes me reconsider if Nora is truly sentimental or not. By pressuring Trovald to give the job to Krogstad, Nora willingly knows that the job will be taken away from her friend Kristine, who has nothing to live for and is dependent on this job. A sentimental person wouldn't throw her friend under the bus like that. Although she is in a difficult situation, I think everything Nora is doing is self centered.

Act 2

Act 2

Though I'm apart of team Nora I realize more and more how conniving Nora really is and that she is holding more than a financial secret away from her husband. I believe she may have cheated on her husband with Krogstad or the Doctor.

A Doll's House Act 2: Noelia Lara

In response to Act 2 i could say after speaking about Nora's childlike ways, she has yet once again proven she is that persuasive little skylark. Its seems so amazing to me the way she tries to get away from her problems and little lies she has created. She tries to involve her husband in her issue's and honestly I am starting to dislike this character. Although yesterday we discussed her being a good mother and using Torvalds money only for her families and home needs this clearly has gone beyond that. The way she tries to insist Travold on giving or keeping Krogstads placement shows she is in great need of something. This is triggering Travold to notice something fishy s going on. I could tell when he told Nora
"Helmer: My dear Nora, I can forgive this anxiety of yours, even though its insulting to me. It really is. Don't you think it's insulting to suggest that I should be afraid of retaliation from grubby pen-pusher?.."

As he asks her you could sense that he feels that she is being sort of rood and dishonest about something. In all respect she is going beyond her limits and her lies will come out pretty soon if she continues to try to fool her  husband. He might be blinded but he is certainly not stupid. I'm glad he decided to do the right thing with giving the job to Mrs.Linde.

at first i thought Nora was a silly blonde that was jus attention hungry. but shes actually a smart a women and definitely work well under pressure. she doesn't jus crumble........ The scene between Nora and Dr. Rank is a little interesting . Not only does it underscore the "pollution and infection" which a guilty parent can pass on to his children Nora being the guilt-ridden parent, Rank the victim of venereal disease  but it shows the youthful innocence of Nora. Accustomed to approaching her husband in a mood of adolescent flirtatiousness, Nora treats Dr. Rank the same way as she shows him her leg dressed in the new silk stockings....hmmmmm idk lol.

"A Doll's House Act II"
it seem that Nora many trouble in part act II
after she didn't connivence her husband not to fire to krogstad, she is really concern about her will reveal to Torvald  and the consequences that could result.

A Doll's House Act II

Nora's in a lot of trouble now.
After she failed to convince Torvald to let Krogstad keep his job, Krogstad came back with a threat just as he promised. On Tuesday in class we were discussing how Nora might be putting on a "dumb front" for Torvald... and here in act II it's very clear that's exactly what she does when distracts him from going to the mailbox... pretending not remember a single piece of the tarantella dance.

Also, I wasn't at all shocked when Dr. Rank revealed his secrets of love and care to Nora. After Mrs. Linde suggested that Nora was maybe having an affair with Dr. Rank I kind of thought that there some sort of feelings there.

I'm curious to see if they reveal what kind of relationship Mrs. Linde and Krogstad had back in the day. 

Act II

In Act II, Nora is harboring a major secret from her husband. She had previously forged her fathers signature a few days after his death. Nora is in fear that Krogstad will reveal this, she tries to convince Torvald not to fire him from the bank. Unable to save Krogstad's job, Nora is visited by him where he writes a letter to Torvald exposing Nora's fraud. Nora persuades Torvald into staying away from the letterbox as well as the letter from Krogstad.... For now.

A Doll's Dilemma: Act II

The second act introduces new plot threads that will surely come into play in the final act as the men are brought into focus and we see that there maybe more manipulations at play than those of Krogstad and Nora.

It was interesting to see that Nora recognizes the Electra factor that's at center of her relationship with Torvald as she tells Dr. Rank that "being with Torvald is like being with Papa" in her attempts to explain to Dr. Rank the many different ways people love one another. This implies that Nora does play into her husband's expectations of women being delicate, helpless, and dependent on men as opposed to actually fulfilling that stereotype.

Speaking of Torvald's expectations, we see now that he is a man who wants to be in complete control of his environment at all times so that everything fits his expectations of how things should be. We see this in the language of his 'compliments' to Nora and the living arrangement in the house with Nora kept separated from 

him when he has guests or works. During Nora's plea to keep Krogstad at the bank, we see that his ability to control maybe more important than anything else as he gradually loses his composure as Nora persists on keeping Krogsatd. Torvald does not want to be undermined by others, especially Nora as revealed when she calls him petty for his reasoning to not keep Krogstad, he quickly takes action to impose his authority by sending off the notice that Krogstad is fired. This harmless labeling by Nora and subsequent outrage reveals that Torvald is not as calm and collected as he appears to be, it in fact shows Torvald to be insecure or sensitive as Dr Rank puts it.

Nora's failure to save Krogstad's job should've ended the manipulations that have been in play, but now Krogstad has returned with a new goal to keep Nora under his control. While Nora rejects his manipulation, we see the possible emergence of a new manipulation as Dr. Rank is later shown to seemingly instruct Torvald in how he handles his wife. Is this a secret plot by both Torvald and Dr. Rank?

A Doll's House: Act II

I noticed a bit of ignorance on Nora's part in the beginning of act 2 when she refers to Doctor Ranks' illness due to his fathers misdeeds.
 
Nora calls Kristine over to have her help with her dress. This is her friend that she has neglected to keep in contact with and this is what she does when they finally see each other. They're both using each other for their own personal benefit. Same as Doctor Rank who is supposed to be Torvald's best friend but he's flirting and admitting his feelings he's kept for Nora.

a dolls house act 2

Well they say till death do us part and it seems like Nora is trying her hardest not to let her husband find out about what she did. I think as much of a problem as it might be to tell Torvald the truth, why not? all the secrecy and actions taking place would be less severe if she just admitted to borrowing the money. I mean it was for a good cause, to save his life when he was ill. If it hurts his pride then so be it, he makes plenty of money now anyway

"A Doll's House" Act 2

I think that Rank really love Nora. In Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House",  Rank says, "Please don't punish me that way. Give me permission to do anything forr you that a man can do" (1149). Rank is willing to do anything for Nora, he would even sacrifice himself for Nora.

Kristel Encarnacion's Analysis of "A dolls Housed" Act 2

In act two of this play there are a lot more things going on. It has now  become more apparent to me that when Nora uses the same "cute" or pet like names to refer to herself she has an ulterior motive. She knows that if she acts as if she is fond of the names he calls her he in turn will give in more easily to her desires. As this play goes on I have observed that almost every character has a secret they are hiding, for example Dr.Rank and his hidden love for Nora, Krogstad dark past etc. In this act we continue to see how Nora can be a doll in this play, Torvald enjoys the idea of a beautiful home and a neat appearance but Nora also tells Mrs. Linde that Torvald hates the sight of sewing its quite a contradiction.Its as if he would rather her do nothing and just sit there and look pretty. The other main thing I noticed in this act was how the relationship between Nora and Torvalds resembles the one of child and parent. She often pouts when she wants things in a child like matter, and when she has done something wrong she is afraid Torvald will find out. Nora being afraid that Toravld will find the letter in the mail is similar to when  a child is trying to hide a bad grade on their report card.

Act II .. Kerry

Nora is actually kind of swift under pressure. She literally curved Trovald's plan of checking the mail. Although that she makes things very obvious, this woman is no fool. She knows when to spring into action. For example, covering up her fear of Krogstad in the mist of the argument trying to sway his actions, preventing him from leaving the letter. Although, showing no fear did her no good. She does at times lose her sense of faith speaking to Linde but knows how to step up. Putting myself in Nora's shoes, I probably couldn't of done anything better, considering the situation she is in.

act 2

In this act Nora is afraid that torvald will find out about her lie, she's put to test because she is unsure if her marriage will fall apart of get better. I also think her response to Krogstad's letter was pretty surprising she is unsure of what will happen next.

I also believe the party is a way to distract Nora from everything that is going on around her,for the party she is wearing a costume and playing a role, which is not much difference from what she already does everyday. Nora's dress needing repair can stand as a symbol to her life, like she is old and torn she cant fix the problem herself so she hands the dress for someone else to fix like she does with her problems.

Theres a lot of interesting things about Nora and who she could truly be.

ACT II

When Nora flirts with Dr. Ranks, this shows Nora's desperation to keep her secret. Although she had good intentions, what she did was wrong. I think she is seeing this more now since her husband is so serious about firing Krogstad without givng him a second chance. When Nora said that she has "Thirty one hours to live" I think she refers to the moments before her secret gets blown.

Act II of A Doll's House

I wonder what is the miracle that Nora is waiting for. I feel like she is going to do something very drastic. I really hope she doesn't have any plans of killing Krogstad. I also wonder if Dr.Rank's love for Nora will somehow cause him to sacrifice himself to save her from her troubles.
A question I have is how did Dr.Rank's lifestyle cause Dr.Rank's tuberculosis in his spine.

A Doll's House Act 2

Nora is afraid of what Krogstad will do if/when she gets fired. She is trying to protect her husband because she doesn't want him to find out about the money she borrowed from him. I found Ms Linde's observation about Dr Rank and Nora's relationship very funny and interesting. The fact that she has the slightest doubt that he could be that rich guy Nora fantasized about was very perceptive. I would've never thought of that.

Act II of A Doll's House

Towards the last part of Act II when Nora says that she has thirty one hours to live, I interpreted in two ways.  I think that Nora might have plans to commit suicide in order to maybe free Torvald from taking the fault for her actions. But on the other hand, I think that Nora is using it metaphorically to say that her life will be over and she will be living a new life . A life where her marriage with Torvald will be destroyed and where she will separated from her children and placed behind bars. I sympathize with Nora's character because her intentions were good, she risked it all to save her husband and now she has to suffer possibly jail time and a life without her family. 

A Doll's House Act 1

Torvald and Nora's have a very typical marriage. They have a nice marriage because they balance each other out. Nora works very hard to keep her family happy. As usual her work goes un noticed. I was upset when Ms Linde asked Nora what she had done because Nora was just a housewife. She assumed Nora has had no worries or burdens. I respect Nora's selflessness when she spoke about not seeing her father before his passing. She had to save her husbands life for the sake of her family.

A Doll's House, Act II

In Act II, Nora seems to be in a larger sticky situation than Act I. I sort of feel bad for her, as things are going wrong left and right. I think she's a big drastic and exagerates her actions- but I see she is just trying to save her husband and herself from humiliation. I find it funny that she was sewing in the beginning of this act, just like how she is trying to repair the situation she is in, as well.

A Doll's House Act II, Shaquesha Smith

In the II act in the play A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen the first thing I noticed was the mood is completely different. It went from being easy going to suspenseful. I wasn't worried about what was going to happen to Nora because she has this influence on people. I assumed she would find a way to fix what she did but in act II things just get worse for her. As Nora says "Of course he can't be serious about it. I have three little children." (1141). Nora is talking about the visit she had with Krogstad in act I when he threatened to tell her husband about the loan and take the note to court. Another interesting thing that happens towards the end of act II is when Dr. Rank confesses his love for Nora as Dr. Rank says "To love you just as much as somebody else does? Is that so horrible?" (1149). I find this very interesting because in earlier pages Mrs. Linde thinks Dr. Rank and Nora are involved as Mrs. Linde says "You'd better stop all this with doctor Rank." (1143).

"A Doll's House" Act III. Diana Barbecho

After reading the third part of "A Doll's House" i can feel that Nora is very nervous about what can happen if Helmer get to know the true about the money she got borrowed from Krogstad. The scene is very tense and Nora is very good acting as if nothing happens when her husband tries to question her.

Another part that capture my attention is when Doctor Rank tells Nora about his feelings for her. It is not weird as Mrs. Kristine says because Doctor Rank is always in Helmer's house so since Nora is treated like a kid she thinks that Dr. Rank's love is just as a friend which i think is not.

Besides Nora getting nervous and her friend advising and helping her to get ride of Kingston, i think that Nora should not be making a big deal because she knew what is going to happen and is so innocent of her part that she did not even notice that day she wrote on the paper the wrong day when she signed it.
If Krogstad left the letter in the mailbox Nora should leave it there so Helmer can finally read it, people say the sooner the better. So, i can also say is that  Nora should tell him what is going on since either way or not that will bring problems if Helmer doesn't get to give him the position he wants.

Team Nora

I believe that Nora is a  sympathetic charter, because she does what she has to in order to help her husband and make her family stay together. Although she has lied to her husband she does her best and stands her ground. I believe she is also very caring to stay by her husband and cares and nurture her kids . Although she had to take out a loan to make this trip to Italy , she wants her holiday to be great. Taking out a loan with out her husbands permission is illegal around this time.

LAGCC library's MLA clinics

Library will be offering MLA/APA clinics:

Wednesday, November 28, 5:00-7:00 PM


Tuesday, December 4, 2:00-4:00 PM

A Doll's House- Eyosyas

This play has a lot going on for the first Act. Elements such as irony, deceit and ulterior motives run ramped thru this story. I can't decide who to side with. The whole town depicts Krogstad as a crook and an overall morally corrupt person. I was eager to find out why that is. After he tells Nora about his fraudulent signature, which Nora is guilty of doing against him,  I started to think maybe he did it out of "love" too. I find Nora's notion of the legal system using love as a provision to absolve legal wrong doings extremely comical. Maybe in a court case with a jury, and a good lawyer present, the love argument might sway some of the jury but still, forging a signature is a huge crime since a person's signature carries so much weight. I do agree with Helmer's standpoint on Krogstad's actions. Everyone makes mistakes but you have to admit you're wrong and take the punishment for it. Lying to everyone and being deceitful makes you look like a snake. One line that stuck with me, stated by Hemer, was, "Because an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons thew whole life of a home. Every breath the children take in a house like that is full of the germs of moral corruption" (1140). That line resented in Norma's ears because its clearly evident how fond she is of her children. She doesn't want to be a bad influence by any means. Going back to Krogstad, maybe he seems like a snake trying to bribe Nora about her forged signature in order to keep his job. But is he wrong? He faced the same adversity she's going thru. He just wants to reestablish his name and get some minute spec of respect back from the community. Now Nora is between a rock and a hard place. In my opinion, I think Nora should tell Helmer about the loan she took instead of Krogstad using it as a ploy to keep his job. But then again, Krogstad will out her to the world in regards to her fraudulent actions. I can't wait to read how this dilemma transpires!

The story is about a Torvald Helmer and his family. The story speaks volumes on gender roles, self-sacrifice, and the dynamics on families.  

I believe this play is really good. This play is about a couple named Nora and Tolvard  a happy coupled that play the conventional roles of husband and wife. In the play you can see that the man is the one that works hard and the woman is the one that wants to spend the money. Years and Years ago man used to be responsible for all the obligations of supporting the house and women had to clean coke and take care of the kids. My questions are do we believe that nowadays we see that? . I love so far the play J

Team Torvald(Nov. 27 in-class post)

In response to this post, please state why do you think Torvald, in Ibsen's A Doll's House, is a sympathetic character? Be sure to provide specific examples in MLA format in your response.  You may use information you've included in your post on Act I for this activity.

Team Nora (Nov.27 in-class post and/or response)

In response to this post, please state why do you think Nora, in Ibsen's A Doll's House, is a sympathetic character? Be sure to provide specific examples in MLA format in your response. You may use information you've included in your post on Act I for this activity.

A Doll's House Act I

Why on Earth does Helmer continuously make petty remarks about Nora... to her face? He keeps calling her a creature which is another way of saying and animal. Then he refers to her a "creature who spends money." Seriously, am I crazy for thinking that's so wrong?

This first act definitely shows how the gender roles are played here.

First of, Nora speaks to Helmer like he owns her... like he's her master. There's a woman being passive and submissive. Then you have Helmer talking to Nora like she's his pet. And the biggest gender issue here is how Nora is obsessed with spending money and how she doesn't know how to save any.

Now my second question is... if they were so money tight on money.. how did they afford to have house help? Before Helmer got his big break they said they were in a tough situation with money... but then Helmer just hands Nora another $40 dollars to spend. That doesn't make any sense.

" Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen "


In this story we can see many interesting things, like for instance Nora the female character keeps secret to her husband  who is sick. And nora keeps in secret that she a loan she got because of the condition of her husband illness. Nora in certain way is showing us that women scarifies themselves to save what they love. also we see that the female character is risking everything she has so can have what she wants. so that concern that she doesn't realize what she has signed and the consequences that can be.

A Doll's House

Wow. So far I am really enjoying this. It is so well written and easy to play in your head. My favorite part has to be the exchange at the end of Act I, when Torvald is telling Nora all about Krogstad and what he was guilty of. I like how Mr. Helmer is telling his wife how he feels about people like Krogstad and how he is essentially talking about her. Good stuff.

Post on play act 1

This play is very interesting because it focuses on the gender roles we've talked about in class. The wife Nora like many other wives in those times and even now were seeing as sex toys. The husband calls her by playful names because he sees her like a doll. Little does he know that she saved his life. At the beginning of the act Nora is stereotyped as the housewife who only has to worry about looking pretty and domestic chores and who goes around spending money as we read on we find out that there's more to her and that she is strong and she sacrificed herself for the ones she loved.

A Dolls House, Pt1

Well its clear that Nora is spending money and enjoys to take and take from her husband knowing he will willingly give in. But while reading this i understood that for some reason Torvald wants to give his wife the money because from i can conclude he thinks that “Nora, my Nora, that is just like a woman”. This is playing a gender role here and while hes making all the money and shes just shopping and spending to make the house look all nice. Its as if Torvald is the doll being manipulated by his wife and while he gathers the money and is suppose to be the man, this is not the case. The doll house is in fact controlled by the puppeteer being Nora.

A Doll's House Act 1

What I gathered from act 1 is that Nora seems to be very self centered and materialistic. She just bitches and moans until she gets her way (money from her husband).

A dolls House/ Analysis By Kristel Encarnacion

"A dolls House" By  Henrik Ibsen

At the beginning of this act we meet a woman named Nora, she has come home apparently after spending a day shopping. We are told that she owes the porter money and although that bit of information may seem insignificant, I believe that is the first show of how money will be a big topic in the play. Nora arrives home where we are introduced to Torvald, Nora tells him that she wants to show him all she has bought and in a jokingly matter he calls her a "spendthrift". Although he called her a "spendthrift " in a jokingly matter we may ask ourselves whether there was an underlying message. As the play progresses Torvald begins to complain a little about her spending habits and she replies that now that he is being promoted they can afford to splurge. From the beginning money seems to be taking one of the major roles in the play. Torvald even makes reference to her gender and that being the reason behind her ignorance towards money managing, "Nora, my Nora, that is just like a woman"(ibsen).  In a sense I can see how the word doll could fit in this play, Torvald treats Nora like a doll at times, a piece of property that is meant to beautify his home. Despite Torvald disagreeing with his wives money managing  he gives her more when she pouts only to see her happy resembling a parent to child relationship. It is an interesting play and we will have to read on to see where the first act leads.

Doll house Act 1

I think the play has a twist to it and the spotlight is put on money even the couple seems to be wealthy because they have a maid and can fix their finical problems so easy. In the poem although the family has money the husband seems to want to spend it wisely unlike his wife who just wants to spend  because she has the money too.

 I also believe both characters are trying to portray what it is a woman represents to a man and vise versa. I believe the male character is playing a dominant possessive role like what is excepted of a man. The wife which is only called by her name when her husband is scolding her, is treated like a little girl in a sense