Act 3

34 min

[THE SAME SCENE.—The table has been placed in the middle of the stage, with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The door into the hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above. Mrs Linde is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now and then she listens intently for a sound at the outer door.]

[THE SAME SCENE. The table has been moved to the middle of the stage, with chairs around it. A lamp is lit on the table. The door to the hall is open. Dance music can be heard from the room above. Mrs Linde sits at the table, absentmindedly turning the pages of a book. She tries to read, but cannot seem to concentrate. Now and then, she listens closely for a sound at the outer door.]

MRS LINDE: [looking at her watch]. Not yet—and the time is nearly up. If only he does not—. [Listens again.] Ah, there he is. [Goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers.] Come in. There is no one here.

MRS LINDE: [looking at her watch]. Not yet, and time is almost up. If only he doesn't... [Listens again.] Ah, there he is. [Goes into the hall and carefully opens the outer door. Light footsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers.] Come in. There's no one here.

KROGSTAD: [in the doorway]. I found a note from you at home. What does this mean?

MRS LINDE: It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with you.

MRS LINDE: I absolutely need to talk to you.

KROGSTAD: Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be here?

KROGSTAD: Really? And does it absolutely have to be here?

MRS LINDE: It is impossible where I live; there is no private entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.

MRS LINDE: It’s impossible where I live. There’s no private entrance to my rooms. Come in. We’re all alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.

KROGSTAD: [coming into the room]. Are the Helmers really at a dance tonight?

MRS LINDE: Yes, why not?

KROGSTAD: Certainly—why not?

KROGSTAD: Of course. Why not?

MRS LINDE: Now, Nils, let us have a talk.

MRS LINDE: Now, Nils, let's talk.

KROGSTAD: Can we two have anything to talk about?

KROGSTAD: Do we have anything to talk about?

MRS LINDE: We have a great deal to talk about.

MRS LINDE: We have a lot to talk about.

KROGSTAD: I shouldn’t have thought so.

KROGSTAD: I wouldn’t have thought so.

MRS LINDE: No, you have never properly understood me.

MRS LINDE: No, you've never really understood me.

KROGSTAD: Was there anything else to understand except what was obvious to all the world—a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance turns up?

KROGSTAD: What else was there to understand? It was obvious to everyone. A heartless woman dumps a man when a richer opportunity comes along.

MRS LINDE: Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you believe that I did it with a light heart?

MRS LINDE: Do you think I'm really that heartless? And do you think I did it without a heavy heart?

KROGSTAD: Didn’t you?

MRS LINDE: Nils, did you really think that?

KROGSTAD: If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at the time?

KROGSTAD: If that's true, why did you write to me the way you did back then?

MRS LINDE: I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me.

MRS LINDE: I had no choice. Since I had to break up with you, I also had to end all your feelings for me.

KROGSTAD: [wringing his hands]. So that was it. And all this—only for the sake of money!

KROGSTAD: [wringing his hands]. So that was it. And all this, just for money!

MRS LINDE: You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then.

MRS LINDE: You must remember that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils. Your prospects seemed hopeless then.

KROGSTAD: That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for anyone else’s sake.

KROGSTAD: That may be true, but you had no right to abandon me for anyone else’s sake.

MRS LINDE: Indeed I don’t know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had the right to do it.

MRS LINDE: I really don’t know. I often asked myself if I had the right to do it.

KROGSTAD: [more gently]. When I lost you, it was as if all the solid ground went from under my feet. Look at me now—I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a bit of wreckage.

KROGSTAD: [more gently]. When I lost you, it felt as if all the ground had disappeared beneath my feet. Look at me now. I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a piece of wreckage.

MRS LINDE: But help may be near.

MRS LINDE: But help may be close by.

KROGSTAD: It was near; but then you came and stood in my way.

KROGSTAD: It was close. But then you came and stood in my way.

MRS LINDE: Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that I learned it was your place I was going to take in the Bank.

MRS LINDE: I didn't mean to, Nils. I only learned today that I was going to take your job at the bank.

KROGSTAD: I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it, are you not going to give it up to me?

KROGSTAD: I believe you if you say so. But now that you know, aren't you going to give it to me?

MRS LINDE: No, because that would not benefit you in the least.

MRS LINDE: No, because that wouldn't help you at all.

KROGSTAD: Oh, benefit, benefit—I would have done it whether or no.

KROGSTAD: Oh, benefit, benefit. I would have done it anyway.

MRS LINDE: I have learned to act prudently. Life, and hard, bitter necessity have taught me that.

MRS LINDE: I have learned to be careful. Life and hard, bitter necessity have taught me that.

KROGSTAD: And life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches.

KROGSTAD: And life has taught me not to believe smooth talk.

MRS LINDE: Then life has taught you something very reasonable. But deeds you must believe in?

MRS LINDE: Then life has taught you something very sensible. But surely you believe in actions?

KROGSTAD: What do you mean by that?

MRS LINDE: You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging to some wreckage.

MRS LINDE: You said you were like a shipwrecked man holding on to a piece of wreckage.

KROGSTAD: I had good reason to say so.

KROGSTAD: I had a good reason to say that.

MRS LINDE: Well, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to some wreckage—no one to mourn for, no one to care for.

MRS LINDE: Well, I’m like a shipwrecked woman clinging to wreckage. I have no one to mourn and no one to care for.

KROGSTAD: It was your own choice.

MRS LINDE: There was no other choice—then.

MRS LINDE: There was no other choice back then.

KROGSTAD: Well, what now?

MRS LINDE: Nils, how would it be if we two shipwrecked people could join forces?

MRS LINDE: Nils, what if we two shipwrecked people joined forces?

KROGSTAD: What are you saying?

MRS LINDE: Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a better chance than each on their own.

MRS LINDE: Two people on the same piece of wreckage would have a better chance than each would alone.

KROGSTAD: Christine I...

KROGSTAD: Christine, I...

MRS LINDE: What do you suppose brought me to town?

MRS LINDE: What do you think brought me to town?

KROGSTAD: Do you mean that you gave me a thought?

KROGSTAD: Do you mean you thought about me?

MRS LINDE: I could not endure life without work. All my life, as long as I can remember, I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only pleasure. But now I am quite alone in the world—my life is so dreadfully empty and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working for one’s self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for.

MRS LINDE: I couldn’t bear life without work. I’ve worked all my life, as far back as I can remember. Work has been my greatest and only pleasure. But now I’m completely alone in the world. My life is so terribly empty, and I feel so abandoned. There’s no pleasure at all in working for yourself. Nils, give me someone and something to work for.

KROGSTAD: I don’t trust that. It is nothing but a woman’s overstrained sense of generosity that prompts you to make such an offer of yourself.

KROGSTAD: I don’t trust that. You’re offering yourself only because of a woman’s excessive sense of generosity.

MRS LINDE: Have you ever noticed anything of the sort in me?

MRS LINDE: Have you ever noticed anything like that in me?

KROGSTAD: Could you really do it? Tell me—do you know all about my past life?

KROGSTAD: Could you really do it? Tell me, do you know everything about my past?

MRS LINDE: Yes.

KROGSTAD: And do you know what they think of me here?

MRS LINDE: You seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been quite another man.

MRS LINDE: It seemed to me you were suggesting that you might have been a very different man with me.

KROGSTAD: I am certain of it.

KROGSTAD: I'm sure of it.

MRS LINDE: Is it too late now?

KROGSTAD: Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then—?

KROGSTAD: Christine, do you mean what you're saying? Yes, I'm sure you do. I can see it in your face. Do you really have the courage to...?

MRS LINDE: I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real character—I can dare anything together with you.

MRS LINDE: I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. We need each other. Nils, I believe in the person you really are. I can face anything with you.

KROGSTAD: [grasps her hands]. Thanks, thanks, Christine! Now I shall find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot—

KROGSTAD: [grasps her hands]. Thank you, thank you, Christine! Now I'll find a way to clear my name in the eyes of the world. Ah, but I forgot...

MRS LINDE: [listening]. Hush! The Tarantella! Go, go!

MRS LINDE: [listening]. Quiet! The Tarantella! Go, go!

KROGSTAD: Why? What is it?

MRS LINDE: Do you hear them up there? When that is over, we may expect them back.

MRS LINDE: Do you hear them up there? When that is over, they may come back.

KROGSTAD: Yes, yes—I will go. But it is all no use. Of course you are not aware what steps I have taken in the matter of the Helmers.

KROGSTAD: Yes, yes, I'll go. But it's no use. Of course, you don't know what steps I've taken concerning the Helmers.

MRS LINDE: Yes, I know all about that.

KROGSTAD: And in spite of that have you the courage to—?

KROGSTAD: And despite that, you have the courage to...?

MRS LINDE: I understand very well to what lengths a man like you might be driven by despair.

MRS LINDE: I understand very well what desperation might drive a man like you to do.

KROGSTAD: If I could only undo what I have done!

KROGSTAD: If only I could undo what I've done!

MRS LINDE: You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter-box now.

MRS LINDE: You can't. Your letter is in the mailbox now.

KROGSTAD: Are you sure of that?

MRS LINDE: Quite sure, but—

MRS LINDE: Quite sure, but...

KROGSTAD: [with a searching look at her]. Is that what it all means?—that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me frankly. Is that it?

KROGSTAD: [looking closely at her]. Is that what all this means? You want to save your friend at any cost? Tell me honestly. Is that it?

MRS LINDE: Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another’s sake, doesn’t do it a second time.

MRS LINDE: Nils, a woman who has sold herself once for someone else’s sake won’t do it again.

KROGSTAD: I will ask for my letter back.

KROGSTAD: I'll ask for my letter back.

MRS LINDE: No, no.

KROGSTAD: Yes, of course I will. I will wait here until Helmer comes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back—that it only concerns my dismissal—that he is not to read it—

KROGSTAD: Yes, of course I will. I'll wait here until Helmer comes. I'll tell him he must give me my letter back. I'll tell him the letter only concerns my dismissal, and that he must not read it.

MRS LINDE: No, Nils, you must not recall your letter.

MRS LINDE: No, Nils, you must not take back your letter.

KROGSTAD: But, tell me, wasn’t it for that very purpose that you asked me to meet you here?

KROGSTAD: But tell me, wasn’t that exactly why you asked me to meet you here?

MRS LINDE: In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-four hours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessed incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on.

MRS LINDE: It was, when I first panicked. But twenty-four hours have passed since then, and I have seen incredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. This painful secret must come out. They must understand each other completely, but that is impossible while they keep hiding things and lying.

KROGSTAD: Very well, if you will take the responsibility. But there is one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once.

KROGSTAD: All right, if you’ll take responsibility. But there’s one thing I can do regardless, and I’ll do it right away.

MRS LINDE: [listening]. You must be quick and go! The dance is over; we are not safe a moment longer.

MRS LINDE: [listening]. Hurry and go! The dance is over. We are not safe for another moment.

KROGSTAD: I will wait for you below.

KROGSTAD: I'll wait for you downstairs.

MRS LINDE: Yes, do. You must see me back to my door...

MRS LINDE: Yes, please do. You must walk me back to my door...

KROGSTAD: I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life! [Goes out through the outer door. The door between the room and the hall remains open.]

KROGSTAD: I have never been so incredibly lucky in my life! [Goes out through the outer door. The door between the room and the hall stays open.]

MRS LINDE: [tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready]. What a difference! what a difference! Someone to work for and live for—a home to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. I wish they would be quick and come—[Listens.] Ah, there they are now. I must put on my things. [Takes up her hat and cloak. HELMER’S and NORA’S voices are heard outside; a key is turned, and HELMER brings NORA almost by force into the hall. She is in an Italian costume with a large black shawl around her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which is flying open.]

MRS LINDE: [tidying the room and laying out her hat and cloak]. What a difference! What a difference! Someone to work for and live for. A home to make comfortable. I will do that, indeed. I wish they would hurry and come. [Listens.] Ah, there they are now. I must put on my things. [Takes up her hat and cloak. HELMER’S and NORA’S voices are heard outside. A key turns, and HELMER brings NORA into the hall, almost by force. She is wearing an Italian costume with a large black shawl around her. He is wearing evening dress and a black domino that is flying open.]

NORA: [hanging back in the doorway, and struggling with him]. No, no, no!—don’t take me in. I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to leave so early.

NORA: [holding back in the doorway and struggling with him]. No, no, no! Don't take me inside. I want to go back upstairs. I don't want to leave so early.

HELMER: But, my dearest Nora—

HELMER: But, my dear Nora...

NORA: Please, Torvald dear—please, please—only an hour more.

NORA: Please, dear Torvald, please, please, just one more hour.

HELMER: Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was our agreement. Come along into the room; you are catching cold standing there. [He brings her gently into the room, in spite of her resistance.]

HELMER: Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was our agreement. Come into the room. You're catching cold standing there. [He gently brings her into the room, despite her resistance.]

MRS LINDE: Good evening.

NORA: Christine!

HELMER: You here, so late, Mrs Linde?

HELMER: You're here so late, Mrs Linde?

MRS LINDE: Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Nora in her dress.

MRS LINDE: Yes, please excuse me. I was so eager to see Nora in her dress.

NORA: Have you been sitting here waiting for me?

MRS LINDE: Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had already gone upstairs; and I thought I couldn’t go away again without having seen you.

MRS LINDE: Yes, unfortunately I arrived too late. You had already gone upstairs, and I didn't want to leave without seeing you.

HELMER: [taking off NORA’S shawl]. Yes, take a good look at her. I think she is worth looking at. Isn’t she charming, Mrs Linde?

HELMER: [taking off NORA’S shawl]. Yes, take a good look at her. I think she’s worth looking at. Isn’t she charming, Mrs Linde?

MRS LINDE: Yes, indeed she is.

MRS LINDE: Yes, she certainly is.

HELMER: Doesn’t she look remarkably pretty? Everyone thought so at the dance. But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person. What are we to do with her? You will hardly believe that I had almost to bring her away by force.

HELMER: Doesn’t she look remarkably pretty? Everyone at the dance thought so. But this sweet little person is terribly stubborn. What are we going to do with her? You’ll hardly believe I almost had to force her to leave.

NORA: Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if it were only for half an hour.

NORA: Torvald, you'll regret not letting me stay, even if only for half an hour.

HELMER: Listen to her, Mrs Linde! She had danced her Tarantella, and it had been a tremendous success, as it deserved—although possibly the performance was a trifle too realistic—a little more so, I mean, than was strictly compatible with the limitations of art. But never mind about that! The chief thing is, she had made a success—she had made a tremendous success. Do you think I was going to let her remain there after that, and spoil the effect? No, indeed! I took my charming little Capri maiden—my capricious little Capri maiden, I should say—on my arm; took one quick turn round the room; a curtsey on either side, and, as they say in novels, the beautiful apparition disappeared. An exit ought always to be effective, Mrs Linde; but that is what I cannot make Nora understand. Pooh! this room is hot. [Throws his domino on a chair, and opens the door of his room.] Hullo! it’s all dark in here. Oh, of course—excuse me—. [He goes in, and lights some candles.]

HELMER: Listen to her, Mrs Linde! She danced her Tarantella, and it was a tremendous success, as it deserved to be. Though perhaps her performance was a little too realistic, a little more so than the limits of art allow. But never mind that! The main thing is, she was a success, a tremendous success. Did you think I would let her stay there after that and spoil the effect? Of course not! I took my charming little Capri maiden, my capricious little Capri maiden, I should say, on my arm. We made one quick turn around the room, with a curtsy on either side. Then, as they say in novels, the beautiful vision disappeared. An exit should always make an impression, Mrs Linde. But that is what I cannot make Nora understand. Oh, this room is hot. [Throws his domino on a chair, and opens the door of his room.] Hello! It’s completely dark in here. Oh, of course. Excuse me. [He goes in, and lights some candles.]

NORA: [in a hurried and breathless whisper]. Well?

NORA: [in a hurried, breathless whisper]. Well?

MRS LINDE: [in a low voice]. I have had a talk with him.

MRS LINDE: [in a low voice]. I talked to him.

NORA: Yes, and—

NORA: Yes, and...

MRS LINDE: Nora, you must tell your husband all about it.

MRS LINDE: Nora, you have to tell your husband all about it.

NORA: [in an expressionless voice]. I knew it.

MRS LINDE: You have nothing to be afraid of as far as Krogstad is concerned; but you must tell him.

MRS LINDE: You have nothing to fear from Krogstad. But you must tell him.

NORA: I won’t tell him.

MRS LINDE: Then the letter will.

NORA: Thank you, Christine. Now I know what I must do. Hush—!

NORA: Thank you, Christine. Now I know what I have to do. Quiet!

HELMER: [coming in again]. Well, Mrs Linde, have you admired her?

HELMER: [coming back in]. Well, Mrs Linde, have you admired her?

MRS LINDE: Yes, and now I will say goodnight.

MRS LINDE: Yes, and now I'll say goodnight.

HELMER: What, already? Is this yours, this knitting?

HELMER: What, already? Is this knitting yours?

MRS LINDE: [taking it]. Yes, thank you, I had very nearly forgotten it.

MRS LINDE: [taking it]. Yes, thank you. I almost forgot it.

HELMER: So you knit?

MRS LINDE: Of course.

HELMER: Do you know, you ought to embroider.

HELMER: You know, you should embroider.

MRS LINDE: Really? Why?

HELMER: Yes, it’s far more becoming. Let me show you. You hold the embroidery thus in your left hand, and use the needle with the right—like this—with a long, easy sweep. Do you see?

HELMER: Yes, it’s much more flattering. Let me show you. Hold the embroidery in your left hand, and use the needle with your right, like this, with a long, easy sweep. Do you see?

MRS LINDE: Yes, perhaps—

MRS LINDE: Yes, perhaps...

HELMER: But in the case of knitting—that can never be anything but ungraceful; look here—the arms close together, the knitting-needles going up and down—it has a sort of Chinese effect—. That was really excellent champagne they gave us.

HELMER: But knitting can never be anything but ungraceful. Look, the arms are close together, and the knitting needles go up and down. It has a sort of Chinese effect. That champagne they gave us was really excellent.

MRS LINDE: Well,—goodnight, Nora, and don’t be self-willed any more.

MRS LINDE: Well, goodnight, Nora, and don’t be so stubborn anymore.

HELMER: That’s right, Mrs Linde.

MRS LINDE: Goodnight, Mr. Helmer.

MRS LINDE: Good night, Mr. Helmer.

HELMER: [accompanying her to the door]. Goodnight, goodnight. I hope you will get home all right. I should be very happy to—but you haven’t any great distance to go. Goodnight, goodnight. [She goes out; he shuts the door after her, and comes in again.] Ah!—at last we have got rid of her. She is a frightful bore, that woman.

HELMER: [walking her to the door]. Goodnight, goodnight. I hope you get home safely. I would be happy to... but you don't have far to go. Goodnight, goodnight. [She goes out; he closes the door behind her and comes back in.] Ah! At last, we've got rid of her. That woman is terribly boring.

NORA: Aren’t you very tired, Torvald?

HELMER: No, not in the least.

HELMER: No, not at all.

NORA: Nor sleepy?

NORA: Not sleepy either?

HELMER: Not a bit. On the contrary, I feel extraordinarily lively. And you?—you really look both tired and sleepy.

HELMER: Not at all. On the contrary, I feel incredibly lively. What about you? You really look tired and sleepy.

NORA: Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to sleep at once.

NORA: Yes, I'm very tired. I want to go to sleep right away.

HELMER: There, you see it was quite right of me not to let you stay there any longer.

HELMER: See, I was right not to let you stay there any longer.

NORA: Everything you do is quite right, Torvald.

NORA: Everything you do is right, Torvald.

HELMER: [kissing her on the forehead]. Now my little skylark is speaking reasonably. Did you notice what good spirits Rank was in this evening?

HELMER: [kissing her on the forehead]. Now my little skylark is being sensible. Did you notice what a good mood Rank was in tonight?

NORA: Really? Was he? I didn’t speak to him at all.

HELMER: And I very little, but I have not for a long time seen him in such good form. [Looks for a while at her and then goes nearer to her.] It is delightful to be at home by ourselves again, to be all alone with you—you fascinating, charming little darling!

HELMER: And I very little, but I haven't seen him in such good spirits for a long time. [Looks at her for a while, then moves closer to her.] It's wonderful to be home by ourselves again, alone with you, my fascinating, charming little darling!

NORA: Don’t look at me like that, Torvald.

HELMER: Why shouldn’t I look at my dearest treasure?—at all the beauty that is mine, all my very own?

HELMER: Why shouldn’t I look at my dearest treasure? Why shouldn’t I look at all the beauty that’s mine, all mine?

NORA: [going to the other side of the table]. You mustn’t say things like that to me tonight.

NORA: [going to the other side of the table]. You can't say things like that to me tonight.

HELMER: [following her]. You have still got the Tarantella in your blood, I see. And it makes you more captivating than ever. Listen—the guests are beginning to go now. [In a lower voice.] Nora—soon the whole house will be quiet.

HELMER: [following her]. I see the Tarantella is still in your blood. And it makes you more captivating than ever. Listen, the guests are starting to leave now. [In a lower voice.] Nora, soon the whole house will be quiet.

NORA: Yes, I hope so.

HELMER: Yes, my own darling Nora. Do you know, when I am out at a party with you like this, why I speak so little to you, keep away from you, and only send a stolen glance in your direction now and then?—do you know why I do that? It is because I make believe to myself that we are secretly in love, and you are my secretly promised bride, and that no one suspects there is anything between us.

HELMER: Yes, my darling Nora. Do you know why I speak so little to you when we’re at a party like this? Why I stay away from you and only steal a glance at you now and then? It’s because I pretend that we’re secretly in love, that we’re secretly engaged, and that no one suspects anything between us.

NORA: Yes, yes—I know very well your thoughts are with me all the time.

NORA: Yes, yes, I know you're thinking of me all the time.

HELMER: And when we are leaving, and I am putting the shawl over your beautiful young shoulders—on your lovely neck—then I imagine that you are my young bride and that we have just come from the wedding, and I am bringing you for the first time into our home—to be alone with you for the first time—quite alone with my shy little darling! All this evening I have longed for nothing but you. When I watched the seductive figures of the Tarantella, my blood was on fire; I could endure it no longer, and that was why I brought you down so early—

HELMER: And when we leave, I put the shawl over your beautiful young shoulders and your lovely neck. Then I imagine that you are my young bride and we have just come from our wedding. I imagine I’m bringing you into our home for the first time, to be alone with you for the first time. Completely alone with my shy little darling! All evening I’ve longed for nothing but you. When I watched the seductive movements of the Tarantella, my blood was on fire. I couldn’t bear it any longer, and that’s why I brought you down so early.

NORA: Go away, Torvald! You must let me go. I won’t—

NORA: Go away, Torvald! You have to let me go. I won't...

HELMER: What’s that? You’re joking, my little Nora! You won’t—you won’t? Am I not your husband—? [A knock is heard at the outer door.]

HELMER: What? You’re joking, my little Nora! You won’t? You won’t? Am I not your husband? [A knock is heard at the outer door.]

NORA: [starting]. Did you hear—?

NORA: [startled]. Did you hear...?

HELMER: [going into the hall]. Who is it?

RANK: [outside]. It is I. May I come in for a moment?

RANK: [outside]. It's me. May I come in for a moment?

HELMER: [in a fretful whisper]. Oh, what does he want now? [Aloud.] Wait a minute! [Unlocks the door.] Come, that’s kind of you not to pass by our door.

HELMER: [in an irritated whisper]. Oh, what does he want now? [Aloud.] Wait a minute! [Unlocks the door.] Come in. That’s kind of you to stop by.

RANK: I thought I heard your voice, and felt as if I should like to look in. [With a swift glance round.] Ah, yes!—these dear familiar rooms. You are very happy and cosy in here, you two.

RANK: I thought I heard your voice, and I felt like stopping by. [Glancing quickly around.] Ah, yes! These dear, familiar rooms. You two are so happy and cozy in here.

HELMER: It seems to me that you looked after yourself pretty well upstairs too.

HELMER: It seems to me you took pretty good care of yourself upstairs too.

RANK: Excellently. Why shouldn’t I? Why shouldn’t one enjoy everything in this world?—at any rate as much as one can, and as long as one can. The wine was capital—

RANK: Very well. Why shouldn’t I? Why shouldn’t anyone enjoy everything in this world? At least as much as they can, for as long as they can. The wine was excellent.

HELMER: Especially the champagne.

RANK: So you noticed that too? It is almost incredible how much I managed to put away!

RANK: So you noticed that too? It's almost unbelievable how much I managed to put away!

NORA: Torvald drank a great deal of champagne tonight too.

NORA: Torvald drank a lot of champagne tonight too.

RANK: Did he?

NORA: Yes, and he is always in such good spirits afterwards.

NORA: Yes, and he is always in such a good mood afterward.

RANK: Well, why should one not enjoy a merry evening after a well-spent day?

RANK: Well, why shouldn't we enjoy a cheerful evening after a day well spent?

HELMER: Well spent? I am afraid I can’t take credit for that.

HELMER: Well spent? I'm afraid I can't take credit for that.

RANK: [clapping him on the back]. But I can, you know!

NORA: Doctor Rank, you must have been occupied with some scientific investigation today.

NORA: Doctor Rank, you must have been busy with some scientific research today.

RANK: Exactly.

HELMER: Just listen!—little Nora talking about scientific investigations!

HELMER: Just listen! Little Nora talking about scientific research!

NORA: And may I congratulate you on the result?

NORA: And can I congratulate you on the result?

RANK: Indeed you may.

RANK: Yes, you may.

NORA: Was it favourable, then?

NORA: Was it good, then?

RANK: The best possible, for both doctor and patient—certainty.

RANK: The best possible outcome for both doctor and patient: certainty.

NORA: [quickly and searchingly]. Certainty?

NORA: [quickly and searchingly]. Are you sure?

RANK: Absolute certainty. So wasn’t I entitled to make a merry evening of it after that?

RANK: Absolute certainty. So didn’t I deserve to have a fun evening after that?

NORA: Yes, you certainly were, Doctor Rank.

HELMER: I think so too, so long as you don’t have to pay for it in the morning.

HELMER: I think so too, as long as you don't have to pay for it in the morning.

RANK: Oh well, one can’t have anything in this life without paying for it.

RANK: Oh well, you can't have anything in life without paying for it.

NORA: Doctor Rank—are you fond of fancy-dress balls?

NORA: Doctor Rank, do you like costume balls?

RANK: Yes, if there is a fine lot of pretty costumes.

RANK: Yes, if there are lots of pretty costumes.

NORA: Tell me—what shall we two wear at the next?

NORA: Tell me, what should the two of us wear to the next one?

HELMER: Little featherbrain!—are you thinking of the next already?

HELMER: You little scatterbrain! Are you already thinking about the next one?

RANK: We two? Yes, I can tell you. You shall go as a good fairy—

RANK: The two of us? Yes, I can tell you. You will go as a good fairy...

HELMER: Yes, but what do you suggest as an appropriate costume for that?

HELMER: Yes, but what costume do you think would be right for that?

RANK: Let your wife go dressed just as she is in everyday life.

RANK: Let your wife go dressed the way she does every day.

HELMER: That was really very prettily turned. But can’t you tell us what you will be?

HELMER: That was very nicely put. But can’t you tell us what you want to be?

RANK: Yes, my dear friend, I have quite made up my mind about that.

RANK: Yes, my dear friend, I've definitely made up my mind about that.

HELMER: Well?

RANK: At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible.

RANK: At the next costume ball, I'll be invisible.

HELMER: That’s a good joke!

RANK: There is a big black hat—have you never heard of hats that make you invisible? If you put one on, no one can see you.

RANK: There is a big black hat. Haven't you heard of hats that make you invisible? If you put one on, no one can see you.

HELMER: [suppressing a smile]. Yes, you are quite right.

HELMER: [holding back a smile]. Yes, you're quite right.

RANK: But I am clean forgetting what I came for. Helmer, give me a cigar—one of the dark Havanas.

RANK: But I'm completely forgetting what I came for. Helmer, give me a cigar, one of the dark Havanas.

HELMER: With the greatest pleasure. [Offers him his case.]

HELMER: I'd be delighted. [Offers him his case.]

RANK: [takes a cigar and cuts off the end]. Thanks.

NORA: [striking a match]. Let me give you a light.

RANK: Thank you. [She holds the match for him to light his cigar.] And now goodbye!

HELMER: Goodbye, goodbye, dear old man!

HELMER: Goodbye, goodbye, my dear friend!

NORA: Sleep well, Doctor Rank.

RANK: Thank you for that wish.

NORA: Wish me the same.

RANK: You? Well, if you want me to sleep well! And thanks for the light. [He nods to them both and goes out.]

RANK: You? Well, if you want me to sleep well! And thanks for the light. [He nods to them both and leaves.]

HELMER: [in a subdued voice]. He has drunk more than he ought.

HELMER: [in a subdued voice]. He has drunk more than he should.

NORA: [absently]. Maybe. [HELMER takes a bunch of keys out of his pocket and goes into the hall.] Torvald! what are you going to do there?

NORA: [absently]. Maybe. [HELMER takes a bunch of keys out of his pocket and goes into the hall.] Torvald! What are you going to do there?

HELMER: Emptying the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be no room to put the newspaper in tomorrow morning.

HELMER: I'm emptying the mailbox. It's quite full. There won't be room for the newspaper tomorrow morning.

NORA: Are you going to work tonight?

HELMER: You know quite well I’m not. What is this? Someone has been at the lock.

HELMER: You know very well I’m not. What’s this? Someone has been tampering with the lock.

NORA: At the lock—?

NORA: At the lock?

HELMER: Yes, someone has. What can it mean? I should never have thought the maid—. Here is a broken hairpin. Nora, it is one of yours.

HELMER: Yes, someone has. What could it mean? I never would have thought the maid... Here’s a broken hairpin. Nora, it’s one of yours.

NORA: [quickly]. Then it must have been the children—

NORA: [quickly]. Then it must have been the children...

HELMER: Then you must get them out of those ways. There, at last I have got it open. [Takes out the contents of the letter-box, and calls to the kitchen.] Helen!—Helen, put out the light over the front door. [Goes back into the room and shuts the door into the hall. He holds out his hand full of letters.] Look at that—look what a heap of them there are. [Turning them over.] What on earth is that?

HELMER: Then you must help them break those habits. There, I've finally got it open. [Takes the contents out of the letterbox and calls to the kitchen.] Helen! Helen, turn off the light over the front door. [Goes back into the room and shuts the door to the hall. He holds out a handful of letters.] Look at that. Look how many there are. [Sorting through them.] What on earth is that?

NORA: [at the window]. The letter—No! Torvald, no!

NORA: [at the window]. The letter. No! Torvald, no!

HELMER: Two cards—of Rank’s.

HELMER: Two cards, Rank's.

NORA: Of Doctor Rank’s?

NORA: Doctor Rank’s?

HELMER: [looking at them]. Doctor Rank. They were on the top. He must have put them in when he went out.

HELMER: [looking at them]. Doctor Rank. They were on top. He must have put them in when he left.

NORA: Is there anything written on them?

HELMER: There is a black cross over the name. Look there—what an uncomfortable idea! It looks as if he were announcing his own death.

HELMER: There’s a black cross over the name. Look at that. What an unsettling thought! It looks as if he’s announcing his own death.

NORA: It is just what he is doing.

NORA: That's exactly what he's doing.

HELMER: What? Do you know anything about it? Has he said anything to you?

NORA: Yes. He told me that when the cards came it would be his leave-taking from us. He means to shut himself up and die.

NORA: Yes. He told me that when the cards came, they would be his way of saying goodbye to us. He plans to shut himself away and die.

HELMER: My poor old friend! Certainly I knew we should not have him very long with us. But so soon! And so he hides himself away like a wounded animal.

HELMER: My poor old friend! Of course, I knew he wouldn't be with us much longer. But so soon! And now he hides himself away like a wounded animal.

NORA: If it has to happen, it is best it should be without a word—don’t you think so, Torvald?

NORA: If it has to happen, it's best to say nothing. Don't you think so, Torvald?

HELMER: [walking up and down]. He had so grown into our lives. I can’t think of him as having gone out of them. He, with his sufferings and his loneliness, was like a cloudy background to our sunlit happiness. Well, perhaps it is best so. For him, anyway. [Standing still.] And perhaps for us too, Nora. We two are thrown quite upon each other now. [Puts his arms round her.] My darling wife, I don’t feel as if I could hold you tight enough. Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life’s blood, and everything, for your sake.

HELMER: [walking back and forth]. He had become such a part of our lives. I can’t imagine him being gone. His suffering and loneliness were like a cloudy background to our sunlit happiness. Well, perhaps it’s best this way. For him, anyway. [Standing still.] And perhaps for us too, Nora. Now we have only each other to rely on. [Puts his arms around her.] My darling wife, I feel as if I can’t hold you tightly enough. Do you know, Nora, I’ve often wished you would face some great danger. Then I could risk my life and everything for your sake.

NORA: [disengages herself, and says firmly and decidedly]. Now you must read your letters, Torvald.

NORA: [pulls away and speaks firmly]. Now you must read your letters, Torvald.

HELMER: No, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife.

HELMER: No, no, not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife.

NORA: With the thought of your friend’s death—

NORA: Thinking about your friend’s death...

HELMER: You are right, it has affected us both. Something ugly has come between us—the thought of the horrors of death. We must try and rid our minds of that. Until then—we will each go to our own room.

HELMER: You're right, it has affected us both. Something ugly has come between us: the thought of the horrors of death. We must try to put those thoughts out of our minds. Until then, we'll each go to our own room.

NORA: [hanging on his neck]. Goodnight, Torvald—Goodnight!

NORA: [with her arms around his neck]. Goodnight, Torvald. Goodnight!

HELMER: [kissing her on the forehead]. Goodnight, my little singing-bird. Sleep sound, Nora. Now I will read my letters through. [He takes his letters and goes into his room, shutting the door after him.]

HELMER: [kissing her on the forehead]. Goodnight, my little singing bird. Sleep well, Nora. Now I'll read my letters. [He takes his letters and goes into his room, shutting the door behind him.]

NORA: [gropes distractedly about, seizes HELMER’S domino, throws it round her, while she says in quick, hoarse, spasmodic whispers]. Never to see him again. Never! Never! [Puts her shawl over her head.] Never to see my children again either—never again. Never! Never!—Ah! the icy, black water—the unfathomable depths—If only it were over! He has got it now—now he is reading it. Goodbye, Torvald and my children! [She is about to rush out through the hall, when HELMER opens his door hurriedly and stands with an open letter in his hand.]

NORA: [gropes around in distress, grabs HELMER’S domino, and throws it around her, whispering quickly in a hoarse, broken voice]. Never to see him again. Never! Never! [Puts her shawl over her head.] Never to see my children again either. Never again. Never! Never! Ah! The icy, black water. The bottomless depths. If only it were over! He has it now. Now he is reading it. Goodbye, Torvald and my children! [She is about to rush out through the hall, when HELMER quickly opens his door and stands there with an open letter in his hand.]

HELMER: Nora!

NORA: Ah!—

NORA: Ah!

HELMER: What is this? Do you know what is in this letter?

HELMER: What is this? Do you know what's in this letter?

NORA: Yes, I know. Let me go! Let me get out!

HELMER: [holding her back]. Where are you going?

NORA: [trying to get free]. You shan’t save me, Torvald!

NORA: [trying to get free]. You won't save me, Torvald!

HELMER: [reeling]. True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no—it is impossible that it can be true.

HELMER: [reeling]. True? Is what I’m reading true? Horrible! No, no. It can’t be true.

NORA: It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world.

NORA: It's true. I have loved you more than anything else in the world.

HELMER: Oh, don’t let us have any silly excuses.

HELMER: Oh, don’t give me any silly excuses.

NORA: [taking a step towards him]. Torvald—!

NORA: [taking a step toward him]. Torvald!

HELMER: Miserable creature—what have you done?

HELMER: You miserable creature, what have you done?

NORA: Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself.

NORA: Let me go. You must not suffer for my sake. You must not take it upon yourself.

HELMER: No tragic airs, please. [Locks the hall door.] Here you shall stay and give me an explanation. Do you understand what you have done? Answer me! Do you understand what you have done?

HELMER: No dramatic acts, please. [Locks the hall door.] You're staying here and explaining yourself. Do you understand what you've done? Answer me! Do you understand what you've done?

NORA: [looks steadily at him and says with a growing look of coldness in her face]. Yes, now I am beginning to understand thoroughly.

NORA: [looks steadily at him, her face growing colder as she speaks]. Yes, now I'm beginning to understand completely.

HELMER: [walking about the room]. What a horrible awakening! All these eight years—she who was my joy and pride—a hypocrite, a liar—worse, worse—a criminal! The unutterable ugliness of it all!—For shame! For shame! [NORA is silent and looks steadily at him. He stops in front of her.] I ought to have suspected that something of the sort would happen. I ought to have foreseen it. All your father’s want of principle—be silent!—all your father’s want of principle has come out in you. No religion, no morality, no sense of duty—. How I am punished for having winked at what he did! I did it for your sake, and this is how you repay me.

HELMER: [walking around the room]. What a horrible awakening! For eight years, she was my joy and pride. And she is a hypocrite, a liar, and worse, worse, a criminal! It is all too ugly for words! Shame! Shame! [NORA is silent and looks steadily at him. He stops in front of her.] I should have suspected that something like this would happen. I should have seen it coming. All your father’s lack of principles. Be quiet! All your father’s lack of principles has come out in you. No religion, no morality, no sense of duty. How I am being punished for overlooking what he did! I overlooked it for your sake, and this is how you repay me.

NORA: Yes, that’s just it.

NORA: Yes, that’s exactly it.

HELMER: Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future. It is horrible to think of! I am in the power of an unscrupulous man; he can do what he likes with me, ask anything he likes of me, give me any orders he pleases—I dare not refuse. And I must sink to such miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman!

HELMER: Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined my entire future. It’s horrible to think about! I’m at the mercy of a man with no scruples. He can do whatever he wants with me. He can ask anything of me and give me any orders he wants. I don’t dare refuse. And I have to sink to such miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman!

NORA: When I am out of the way, you will be free.

NORA: When I'm out of the way, you'll be free.

HELMER: No fine speeches, please. Your father had always plenty of those ready, too. What good would it be to me if you were out of the way, as you say? Not the slightest. He can make the affair known everywhere; and if he does, I may be falsely suspected of having been a party to your criminal action. Very likely people will think I was behind it all—that it was I who prompted you! And I have to thank you for all this—you whom I have cherished during the whole of our married life. Do you understand now what it is you have done for me?

HELMER: No grand speeches, please. Your father always had plenty of those ready, too. What good would it do me if you were out of the way, as you say? None at all. He can tell everyone about the affair. If he does, people may wrongly suspect that I was involved in your crime. They'll very likely think I was behind it all, that I was the one who pushed you to do it! And I have you to thank for all this. I've cherished you throughout our married life. Do you understand now what you've done to me?

NORA: [coldly and quietly]. Yes.

HELMER: It is so incredible that I can’t take it in. But we must come to some understanding. Take off that shawl. Take it off, I tell you. I must try and appease him some way or another. The matter must be hushed up at any cost. And as for you and me, it must appear as if everything between us were just as before—but naturally only in the eyes of the world. You will still remain in my house, that is a matter of course. But I shall not allow you to bring up the children; I dare not trust them to you. To think that I should be obliged to say so to one whom I have loved so dearly, and whom I still—. No, that is all over. From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, the appearance—

HELMER: It’s so unbelievable that I can’t take it in. But we must come to an understanding. Take off that shawl. Take it off, I’m telling you. I must try to calm him down somehow. This must be kept quiet at any cost. And as for you and me, we must make everything look as if it were just as before. But of course, that is only for the outside world. You will still live in my house, of course. But I won’t let you raise the children. I can’t risk trusting them to you. To think I have to say this to someone I have loved so dearly, and whom I still... No, that’s all over. From this moment on, happiness is not the issue. All that matters is saving what remains, the fragments, the appearance...

[A ring is heard at the front-door bell.]

[The front doorbell rings.]

HELMER: [with a start]. What is that? So late! Can the worst—? Can he—? Hide yourself, Nora. Say you are ill.

HELMER: [startled]. What is that? So late! Could the worst...? Could he...? Hide, Nora. Say you are sick.

[NORA stands motionless. HELMER goes and unlocks the hall door.]

[NORA stands still. HELMER goes to the hall door and unlocks it.]

MAID: [half-dressed, comes to the door]. A letter for the mistress.

MAID: [half-dressed, comes to the door]. A letter for the lady of the house.

HELMER: Give it to me. [Takes the letter, and shuts the door.] Yes, it is from him. You shall not have it; I will read it myself.

HELMER: Give it to me. [Takes the letter and shuts the door.] Yes, it's from him. You can't have it. I'll read it myself.

NORA: Yes, read it.

HELMER: [standing by the lamp]. I scarcely have the courage to do it. It may mean ruin for both of us. No, I must know. [Tears open the letter, runs his eye over a few lines, looks at a paper enclosed, and gives a shout of joy.] Nora! [She looks at him questioningly.] Nora!—No, I must read it once again—. Yes, it is true! I am saved! Nora, I am saved!

HELMER: [standing by the lamp]. I can hardly bring myself to do it. It may mean ruin for both of us. No, I have to know. [He tears open the letter, scans a few lines, looks at an enclosed paper, and shouts with joy.] Nora! [She looks at him questioningly.] Nora! No, I have to read it again. Yes, it's true! I'm saved! Nora, I'm saved!

NORA: And I?

NORA: And me?

HELMER: You too, of course; we are both saved, both you and I. Look, he sends you your bond back. He says he regrets and repents—that a happy change in his life—never mind what he says! We are saved, Nora! No one can do anything to you. Oh, Nora, Nora!—no, first I must destroy these hateful things. Let me see—. [Takes a look at the bond.] No, no, I won’t look at it. The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to me. [Tears up the bond and both letters, throws them all into the stove, and watches them burn.] There—now it doesn’t exist any longer. He says that since Christmas Eve you—. These must have been three dreadful days for you, Nora.

HELMER: You too, of course. We’re both saved, you and I. Look, he’s sent your bond back. He says he’s sorry and regrets what he did. He says there’s been a happy change in his life. Never mind what he says! We’re saved, Nora! No one can do anything to you. Oh, Nora, Nora! No, first I must destroy these hateful things. Let me see. [Looks at the bond.] No, no, I won’t look at it. The whole thing will be nothing but a bad dream to me. [Tears up the bond and both letters, throws them all into the stove, and watches them burn.] There, now it’s gone. He says that since Christmas Eve you... These must have been three dreadful days for you, Nora.

NORA: I have fought a hard fight these three days.

NORA: I've been fighting a hard battle for the past three days.

HELMER: And suffered agonies, and seen no way out but—. No, we won’t call any of the horrors to mind. We will only shout with joy, and keep saying, “It’s all over! It’s all over!” Listen to me, Nora. You don’t seem to realise that it is all over. What is this?—such a cold, set face! My poor little Nora, I quite understand; you don’t feel as if you could believe that I have forgiven you. But it is true, Nora, I swear it; I have forgiven you everything. I know that what you did, you did out of love for me.

HELMER: And suffered terribly, and seen no way out but... No, we won't think about any of those horrors. We'll just shout for joy and keep saying, “It's all over! It's all over!” Listen to me, Nora. You don't seem to realize that it's all over. What's this? Your face is so cold and stiff! My poor little Nora, I understand. You don't feel as if you can believe I've forgiven you. But it's true, Nora, I swear it. I've forgiven you everything. I know you did it all out of love for me.

NORA: That is true.

NORA: That's true.

HELMER: You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had not sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But do you suppose you are any the less dear to me, because you don’t understand how to act on your own responsibility? No, no; only lean on me; I will advise you and direct you. I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you a double attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the hard things I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everything was going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I have forgiven you.

HELMER: You have loved me as a wife should love her husband. You just didn’t know enough to judge the way you went about it. But do you think I love you any less because you don’t know how to act on your own? No, no. Just lean on me. I’ll advise you and guide you. I wouldn’t be a man if your womanly helplessness didn’t make you twice as attractive to me. Don’t think anymore about the harsh things I said when I was first shocked. I thought everything was going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora. I swear I have forgiven you.

NORA: Thank you for your forgiveness. [She goes out through the door to the right.]

NORA: Thank you for forgiving me. [She leaves through the door on the right.]

HELMER: No, don’t go—. [Looks in.] What are you doing in there?

HELMER: No, don’t go. [Looks in.] What are you doing in there?

NORA: [from within]. Taking off my fancy dress.

NORA: [from inside]. Taking off my costume.

HELMER: [standing at the open door]. Yes, do. Try and calm yourself, and make your mind easy again, my frightened little singing-bird. Be at rest, and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelter you under. [Walks up and down by the door.] How warm and cosy our home is, Nora. Here is shelter for you; here I will protect you like a hunted dove that I have saved from a hawk’s claws; I will bring peace to your poor beating heart. It will come, little by little, Nora, believe me. Tomorrow morning you will look upon it all quite differently; soon everything will be just as it was before. Very soon you won’t need me to assure you that I have forgiven you; you will yourself feel the certainty that I have done so. Can you suppose I should ever think of such a thing as repudiating you, or even reproaching you? You have no idea what a true man’s heart is like, Nora. There is something so indescribably sweet and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge that he has forgiven his wife—forgiven her freely, and with all his heart. It seems as if that had made her, as it were, doubly his own; he has given her a new life, so to speak; and she has in a way become both wife and child to him. So you shall be for me after this, my little scared, helpless darling. Have no anxiety about anything, Nora; only be frank and open with me, and I will serve as will and conscience both to you—. What is this? Not gone to bed? Have you changed your things?

HELMER: [standing at the open door]. Yes, do. Try to calm down and put your mind at ease again, my frightened little songbird. Rest and feel safe. I have broad wings to shelter you. [Walks up and down by the door.] How warm and cozy our home is, Nora. Here you have shelter. I will protect you like a hunted dove I’ve saved from a hawk’s claws. I will bring peace to your poor, pounding heart. Peace will come little by little, Nora, believe me. Tomorrow morning you’ll see it all quite differently. Soon everything will be just as it was before. Very soon you won’t need me to assure you that I’ve forgiven you. You’ll know for yourself that I have. Can you imagine I’d ever think of rejecting you, or even blaming you? You have no idea what a true man’s heart is like, Nora. There’s something indescribably sweet and satisfying to a man in knowing he has forgiven his wife. He has forgiven her freely, with all his heart. It’s as if forgiving her has made her doubly his own. He has, so to speak, given her a new life. And she has, in a way, become both wife and child to him. That’s what you’ll be to me from now on, my little scared, helpless darling. Don’t worry about anything, Nora. Just be honest and open with me, and I’ll be both your will and your conscience. What’s this? You haven’t gone to bed? Have you changed your clothes?

NORA: [in everyday dress]. Yes, Torvald, I have changed my things now.

NORA: [in everyday clothes]. Yes, Torvald, I've changed my clothes now.

HELMER: But what for?—so late as this.

HELMER: But what for? It's so late.

NORA: I shall not sleep tonight.

NORA: I won't sleep tonight.

HELMER: But, my dear Nora—

HELMER: But, my dear Nora...

NORA: [looking at her watch]. It is not so very late. Sit down here, Torvald. You and I have much to say to one another. [She sits down at one side of the table.]

NORA: [looking at her watch]. It's not very late. Sit down here, Torvald. We have a lot to talk about. [She sits down at one side of the table.]

HELMER: Nora—what is this?—this cold, set face?

HELMER: Nora, what is this? Why is your face so cold and rigid?

NORA: Sit down. It will take some time; I have a lot to talk over with you.

NORA: Sit down. This will take some time. I have a lot to discuss with you.

HELMER: [sits down at the opposite side of the table]. You alarm me, Nora!—and I don’t understand you.

HELMER: [sits down on the opposite side of the table]. You’re scaring me, Nora! And I don’t understand you.

NORA: No, that is just it. You don’t understand me, and I have never understood you either—before tonight. No, you mustn’t interrupt me. You must simply listen to what I say. Torvald, this is a settling of accounts.

NORA: No, that’s exactly the problem. You don’t understand me, and I never understood you either, until tonight. No, don’t interrupt me. Just listen to what I have to say. Torvald, it’s time to settle accounts.

HELMER: What do you mean by that?

NORA: [after a short silence]. Isn’t there one thing that strikes you as strange in our sitting here like this?

NORA: [after a short silence]. Don’t you find anything strange about us sitting here like this?

HELMER: What is that?

HELMER: What's that?

NORA: We have been married now eight years. Does it not occur to you that this is the first time we two, you and I, husband and wife, have had a serious conversation?

NORA: We've been married for eight years now. Don't you realize this is the first time we've had a serious conversation? You and I, husband and wife.

HELMER: What do you mean by serious?

NORA: In all these eight years—longer than that—from the very beginning of our acquaintance, we have never exchanged a word on any serious subject.

NORA: In all these eight years, and even longer, we have never talked about anything serious. Not since we first met.

HELMER: Was it likely that I would be continually and forever telling you about worries that you could not help me to bear?

HELMER: Did you expect me to keep telling you about worries you couldn't help me bear?

NORA: I am not speaking about business matters. I say that we have never sat down in earnest together to try and get at the bottom of anything.

NORA: I’m not talking about business. I’m saying we’ve never sat down together and seriously tried to get to the bottom of anything.

HELMER: But, dearest Nora, would it have been any good to you?

HELMER: But, my dear Nora, would it have helped you?

NORA: That is just it; you have never understood me. I have been greatly wronged, Torvald—first by papa and then by you.

NORA: That's exactly the problem. You've never understood me. I've been treated very unfairly, Torvald. First by Papa, and then by you.

HELMER: What! By us two—by us two, who have loved you better than anyone else in the world?

HELMER: What! By the two of us? The two of us who have loved you more than anyone else in the world?

NORA: [shaking her head]. You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.

NORA: [shaking her head]. You have never loved me. You only enjoyed being in love with me.

HELMER: Nora, what do I hear you saying?

HELMER: Nora, what are you saying?

NORA: It is perfectly true, Torvald. When I was at home with papa, he told me his opinion about everything, and so I had the same opinions; and if I differed from him I concealed the fact, because he would not have liked it. He called me his doll-child, and he played with me just as I used to play with my dolls. And when I came to live with you—

NORA: It’s absolutely true, Torvald. When I lived at home with papa, he told me what he thought about everything. So I shared his opinions. If I disagreed with him, I hid it because he wouldn’t have liked it. He called me his doll-child, and he played with me just as I used to play with my dolls. And when I came to live with you...

HELMER: What sort of an expression is that to use about our marriage?

HELMER: What kind of thing is that to say about our marriage?

NORA: [undisturbed]. I mean that I was simply transferred from papa’s hands into yours. You arranged everything according to your own taste, and so I got the same tastes as you—or else I pretended to, I am really not quite sure which—I think sometimes the one and sometimes the other. When I look back on it, it seems to me as if I had 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 that I have made nothing of my life.

NORA: [undisturbed]. I mean that I was simply passed from papa’s hands into yours. You arranged everything to suit your own taste, so I came to share your tastes. Or perhaps I pretended to. I’m really not sure which. I think sometimes it was one, sometimes the other. Looking back, I feel as if I lived here like a poor woman, just getting by from day to day. I have lived only to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But that was how you wanted it. You and papa have committed a great sin against me. It’s your fault that I’ve made nothing of my life.

HELMER: How unreasonable and how ungrateful you are, Nora! Have you not been happy here?

HELMER: You’re so unreasonable and ungrateful, Nora! Haven’t you been happy here?

NORA: No, I have never been happy. I thought I was, but it has never really been so.

NORA: No, I’ve never been happy. I thought I was, but I never really was.

HELMER: Not—not happy!

HELMER: Not, not happy!

NORA: No, only merry. And you have always been so kind to me. But our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was papa’s doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls. I thought it great fun when you played with me, just as they thought it great fun when I played with them. That is what our marriage has been, Torvald.

NORA: No, just happy. And you have always been so kind to me. But our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as I was Papa’s doll-child at home. And here, the children have been my dolls. I thought it was great fun when you played with me. The children felt the same way when I played with them. That is what our marriage has been, Torvald.

HELMER: There is some truth in what you say—exaggerated and strained as your view of it is. But for the future it shall be different. Playtime shall be over, and lesson-time shall begin.

HELMER: There is some truth in what you say, although your view is exaggerated and forced. But things will be different from now on. Playtime will be over, and lessons will begin.

NORA: Whose lessons? Mine, or the children’s?

NORA: Whose lessons? Mine or the children’s?

HELMER: Both yours and the children’s, my darling Nora.

HELMER: Both yours and the children's, my darling Nora.

NORA: Alas, Torvald, you are not the man to educate me into being a proper wife for you.

NORA: Sadly, Torvald, you are not the man to teach me how to be a proper wife for you.

HELMER: And you can say that!

NORA: And I—how am I fitted to bring up the children?

NORA: And me, how am I fit to raise the children?

HELMER: Nora!

NORA: Didn’t you say so yourself a little while ago—that you dare not trust me to bring them up?

NORA: Didn’t you say so yourself a little while ago? You said you couldn’t trust me to raise them.

HELMER: In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any heed to that?

HELMER: In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any attention to that?

NORA: Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for the task. There is another task I must undertake first. I must try and educate myself—you are not the man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now.

NORA: Yes, you were absolutely right. I’m not fit for the task. There’s something else I must do first. I must try to educate myself. You’re not the man to help me with that. I must do it for myself. That’s why I’m leaving you now.

HELMER: [springing up]. What do you say?

HELMER: [jumping up]. What did you say?

NORA: I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with you any longer.

NORA: I must be completely on my own if I am to understand myself and everything around me. That is why I can no longer stay with you.

HELMER: Nora, Nora!

NORA: I am going away from here now, at once. I am sure Christine will take me in for the night—

NORA: I’m leaving here right now. I’m sure Christine will let me stay with her tonight.

HELMER: You are out of your mind! I won’t allow it! I forbid you!

HELMER: You’re out of your mind! I won’t allow it! I forbid you!

NORA: It is no use forbidding me anything any longer. I will take with me what belongs to myself. I will take nothing from you, either now or later.

NORA: There’s no point in forbidding me anything anymore. I’ll take what belongs to me. I won’t take anything from you, now or later.

HELMER: What sort of madness is this!

HELMER: What kind of madness is this!

NORA: Tomorrow I shall go home—I mean, to my old home. It will be easiest for me to find something to do there.

NORA: Tomorrow I'll go home. I mean, to my old home. It will be easiest to find something to do there.

HELMER: You blind, foolish woman!

NORA: I must try and get some sense, Torvald.

NORA: I have to try to gain some understanding, Torvald.

HELMER: To desert your home, your husband and your children! And you don’t consider what people will say!

HELMER: To leave your home, your husband and your children! And you don't consider what people will say!

NORA: I cannot consider that at all. I only know that it is necessary for me.

NORA: I can't consider that at all. I only know that I need to do it.

HELMER: It’s shocking. This is how you would neglect your most sacred duties.

HELMER: It’s shocking. This is how you would neglect your most sacred responsibilities.

NORA: What do you consider my most sacred duties?

NORA: What do you think my most sacred duties are?

HELMER: Do I need to tell you that? Are they not your duties to your husband and your children?

HELMER: Do I need to tell you that? Aren't they your duties to your husband and children?

NORA: I have other duties just as sacred.

NORA: I have other duties that are just as sacred.

HELMER: That you have not. What duties could those be?

HELMER: You haven't. What duties could those be?

NORA: Duties to myself.

NORA: Responsibilities to myself.

HELMER: Before all else, you are a wife and a mother.

HELMER: Above all, you are a wife and a mother.

NORA: I don’t believe that any longer. I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are—or, at all events, that I must try and become one. I know quite well, Torvald, that most people would think you right, and that views of that kind are to be found in books; but I can no longer content myself with what most people say, or with what is found in books. I must think over things for myself and get to understand them.

NORA: I don’t believe that anymore. I believe that above all, I am a reasonable human being, just like you. Or at least, I must try to become one. I know, Torvald, that most people would think you’re right. I know that books express those views too. But I can no longer be satisfied with what most people say or what books tell me. I must think things through for myself and come to understand them.

HELMER: Can you not understand your place in your own home? Have you not a reliable guide in such matters as that?—have you no religion?

HELMER: Can't you understand your place in your own home? Don't you have a reliable guide in such matters? Don't you have a religion?

NORA: I am afraid, Torvald, I do not exactly know what religion is.

NORA: I'm afraid I don't exactly know what religion is, Torvald.

HELMER: What are you saying?

NORA: I know nothing but what the clergyman said, when I went to be confirmed. He told us that religion was this, and that, and the other. When I am away from all this, and am alone, I will look into that matter too. I will see if what the clergyman said is true, or at all events if it is true for me.

NORA: I only know what the clergyman said when I went to be confirmed. He told us religion was this, that, and the other. When I am away from all this and alone, I will look into religion too. I will see if what the clergyman said is true, or at least if it is true for me.

HELMER: This is unheard of in a girl of your age! But if religion cannot lead you aright, let me try and awaken your conscience. I suppose you have some moral sense? Or—answer me—am I to think you have none?

HELMER: This is unheard of in a girl your age! But if religion cannot guide you, let me try to awaken your conscience. I suppose you have some moral sense? Or tell me, am I to think you have none?

NORA: I assure you, Torvald, that is not an easy question to answer. I really don’t know. The thing perplexes me altogether. I only know that you and I look at it in quite a different light. I am learning, too, that the law is quite another thing from what I supposed; but I find it impossible to convince myself that the law is right. According to it a woman has no right to spare her old dying father, or to save her husband’s life. I can’t believe that.

NORA: I promise you, Torvald, that is not an easy question to answer. I really don’t know. The whole thing puzzles me. I only know that you and I see it very differently. I’m also learning that the law is quite different from what I thought. But I can’t convince myself that the law is right. According to the law, a woman has no right to spare her old, dying father or save her husband’s life. I can’t believe that.

HELMER: You talk like a child. You don’t understand the conditions of the world in which you live.

HELMER: You talk like a child. You don’t understand how the world you live in works.

NORA: No, I don’t. But now I am going to try. I am going to see if I can make out who is right, the world or I.

NORA: No, I don’t. But now I’m going to try. I’m going to see if I can figure out who’s right, the world or me.

HELMER: You are ill, Nora; you are delirious; I almost think you are out of your mind.

HELMER: You're sick, Nora. You're delirious. I almost think you've lost your mind.

NORA: I have never felt my mind so clear and certain as tonight.

NORA: I've never felt as clear and certain in my mind as I do tonight.

HELMER: And is it with a clear and certain mind that you forsake your husband and your children?

HELMER: And are you thinking clearly and sure of yourself as you leave your husband and children?

NORA: Yes, it is.

HELMER: Then there is only one possible explanation.

HELMER: Then there's only one possible explanation.

NORA: What is that?

HELMER: You do not love me anymore.

HELMER: You don't love me anymore.

NORA: No, that is just it.

NORA: No, that's exactly it.

HELMER: Nora!—and you can say that?

HELMER: Nora! How can you say that?

NORA: It gives me great pain, Torvald, for you have always been so kind to me, but I cannot help it. I do not love you any more.

NORA: This hurts me deeply, Torvald, because you have always been so kind to me. But I can't help it. I don't love you anymore.

HELMER: [regaining his composure]. Is that a clear and certain conviction too?

HELMER: [regaining his composure]. Are you sure of that too?

NORA: Yes, absolutely clear and certain. That is the reason why I will not stay here any longer.

NORA: Yes, absolutely clear and certain. That's why I won't stay here any longer.

HELMER: And can you tell me what I have done to forfeit your love?

HELMER: And can you tell me what I did to make you stop loving me?

NORA: Yes, indeed I can. It was tonight, when the wonderful thing did not happen; then I saw you were not the man I had thought you were.

NORA: Yes, I certainly can. It was tonight, when the wonderful thing didn't happen. Then I saw you weren't the man I thought you were.

HELMER: Explain yourself better. I don’t understand you.

HELMER: Explain yourself more clearly. I don’t understand you.

NORA: I have waited so patiently for eight years; for, goodness knows, I knew very well that wonderful things don’t happen every day. Then this horrible misfortune came upon me; and then I felt quite certain that the wonderful thing was going to happen at last. When Krogstad’s letter was lying out there, never for a moment did I imagine that you would consent to accept this man’s conditions. I was so absolutely certain that you would say to him: Publish the thing to the whole world. And when that was done—

NORA: I’ve waited so patiently for eight years. Goodness knows, I knew very well that wonderful things don’t happen every day. Then this terrible misfortune happened to me. And I felt certain that the wonderful thing was finally going to happen. When Krogstad’s letter was lying out there, I never imagined for a moment that you would agree to his conditions. I was absolutely certain you would say to him: Publish it for the whole world to see. And when that was done...

HELMER: Yes, what then?—when I had exposed my wife to shame and disgrace?

HELMER: Yes, what then? After I had brought shame and disgrace on my wife?

NORA: When that was done, I was so absolutely certain, you would come forward and take everything upon yourself, and say: I am the guilty one.

NORA: Once that was done, I was absolutely certain you would step forward and take all the blame. You would say: I am the guilty one.

HELMER: Nora—!

HELMER: Nora!

NORA: You mean that I would never have accepted such a sacrifice on your part? No, of course not. But what would my assurances have been worth against yours? That was the wonderful thing which I hoped for and feared; and it was to prevent that, that I wanted to kill myself.

NORA: You mean I would never have let you make such a sacrifice? No, of course not. But what would my promises have been worth against yours? That was the wonderful thing I both hoped for and feared. I wanted to kill myself to prevent it.

HELMER: I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora—bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves.

HELMER: I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora. I would endure sorrow and hardship for your sake. But no man would give up his honor for the person he loves.

NORA: It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.

NORA: It's something hundreds of thousands of women have done.

HELMER: Oh, you think and talk like a heedless child.

HELMER: Oh, you think and talk like a careless child.

NORA: Maybe. But you neither think nor talk like the man I could bind myself to. As soon as your fear was over—and it was not fear for what threatened me, but for what might happen to you—when the whole thing was past, as far as you were concerned it was exactly as if nothing at all had happened. Exactly as before, I was your little skylark, your doll, which you would in future treat with doubly gentle care, because it was so brittle and fragile. [Getting up.] Torvald—it was then it dawned upon me that for eight years I had been living here with a strange man, and had borne him three children—. Oh, I can’t bear to think of it! I could tear myself into little bits!

NORA: Maybe. But you neither think nor talk like a man I could commit myself to. Once your fear was over, you acted as if nothing had happened. And you weren’t afraid for me, only for what might happen to you. As far as you were concerned, the whole thing was over. Just as before, I was your little skylark, your doll. From then on, you would treat me twice as gently because I was so brittle and fragile. [Getting up.] Torvald, that was when I realized I had spent eight years here living with a stranger. And I had borne him three children. Oh, I can’t bear to think of it! I could tear myself to pieces!

HELMER: [sadly]. I see, I see. An abyss has opened between us—there is no denying it. But, Nora, would it not be possible to fill it up?

HELMER: [sadly]. I see, I see. A gulf has opened between us. There is no denying it. But, Nora, could we fill it?

NORA: As I am now, I am no wife for you.

NORA: As I am now, I can't be your wife.

HELMER: I have it in me to become a different man.

HELMER: I know I can become a different man.

NORA: Perhaps—if your doll is taken away from you.

NORA: Maybe, if your doll is taken away from you.

HELMER: But to part!—to part from you! No, no, Nora, I can’t understand that idea.

HELMER: But separate! Separate from you! No, no, Nora, I can’t understand the idea of separating.

NORA: [going out to the right]. That makes it all the more certain that it must be done. [She comes back with her cloak and hat and a small bag which she puts on a chair by the table.]

NORA: [going out to the right]. That makes me all the more certain that it must be done. [She comes back with her cloak, hat, and a small bag, which she puts on a chair by the table.]

HELMER: Nora, Nora, not now! Wait until tomorrow.

NORA: [putting on her cloak]. I cannot spend the night in a strange man’s room.

NORA: [putting on her coat]. I can't spend the night in a stranger's room.

HELMER: But can’t we live here like brother and sister—?

HELMER: But can’t we live here like brother and sister?

NORA: [putting on her hat]. You know very well that would not last long. [Puts the shawl round her.] Goodbye, Torvald. I won’t see the little ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. As I am now, I can be of no use to them.

NORA: [putting on her hat]. You know very well that wouldn’t last long. [Puts the shawl around her.] Goodbye, Torvald. I won’t see the children. I know they’re better off in someone else’s hands. As I am now, I can’t be of any use to them.

HELMER: But some day, Nora—some day?

HELMER: But someday, Nora, someday?

NORA: How can I tell? I have no idea what is going to become of me.

NORA: How should I know? I have no idea what's going to happen to me.

HELMER: But you are my wife, whatever becomes of you.

HELMER: But you are my wife, no matter what happens to you.

NORA: Listen, Torvald. I have heard that when a wife deserts her husband’s house, as I am doing now, he is legally freed from all obligations towards her. In any case, I set you free from all your obligations. You are not to feel yourself bound in the slightest way, any more than I shall. There must be perfect freedom on both sides. See, here is your ring back. Give me mine.

NORA: Listen, Torvald. I’ve heard that when a wife leaves her husband’s home, as I’m doing now, he is legally freed from all obligations to her. In any case, I free you from all your obligations to me. You must not feel bound in any way, just as I won’t. We must both be completely free. Here is your ring back. Give me mine.

HELMER: That too?

NORA: That too.

HELMER: Here it is.

NORA: That’s right. Now it is all over. I have put the keys here. The maids know all about everything in the house—better than I do. Tomorrow, after I have left her, Christine will come here and pack up my own things that I brought with me from home. I will have them sent after me.

NORA: That’s right. Now it’s all over. I’ve put the keys here. The maids know everything about the house, better than I do. Tomorrow, after I leave her, Christine will come here and pack the things I brought from home. I’ll have them sent to me.

HELMER: All over! All over!—Nora, shall you never think of me again?

HELMER: It's all over! All over! Nora, will you never think of me again?

NORA: I know I shall often think of you, the children, and this house.

NORA: I know I'll often think of you, the children, and this house.

HELMER: May I write to you, Nora?

HELMER: Can I write to you, Nora?

NORA: No—never. You must not do that.

NORA: No, never. You must not do that.

HELMER: But at least let me send you—

HELMER: But at least let me send you...

NORA: Nothing—nothing—

NORA: Nothing, nothing...

HELMER: Let me help you if you are in want.

HELMER: Let me help you if you need anything.

NORA: No. I can receive nothing from a stranger.

NORA: No. I can't accept anything from a stranger.

HELMER: Nora—can I never be anything more than a stranger to you?

HELMER: Nora, can I never be more than a stranger to you?

NORA: [taking her bag]. Ah, Torvald, the most wonderful thing of all would have to happen.

NORA: [taking her bag]. Oh, Torvald, the most wonderful thing of all would have to happen.

HELMER: Tell me what that would be!

NORA: Both you and I would have to be so changed that—. Oh, Torvald, I don’t believe any longer in wonderful things happening.

NORA: Both of us would have to change so much that... Oh, Torvald, I don’t believe wonderful things happen anymore.

HELMER: But I will believe in it. Tell me! So changed that—?

HELMER: But I will believe in it. Tell me! So changed that...?

NORA: That our life together would be a real wedlock. Goodbye. [She goes out through the hall.]

NORA: That our life together would be a real marriage. Goodbye. [She goes out through the hall.]

HELMER: [sinks down on a chair at the door and buries his face in his hands]. Nora! Nora! [Looks round, and rises.] Empty. She is gone. [A hope flashes across his mind.] The most wonderful thing of all—?

HELMER: [sinks into a chair by the door and buries his face in his hands]. Nora! Nora! [Looks around and stands up.] Empty. She's gone. [A hopeful thought flashes through his mind.] The most wonderful thing of all?

[The sound of a door shutting is heard from below.]

[A door is heard shutting downstairs.]

The end