A Doll's House: Act 2

The setting is similar to that in the first act. The only difference is that the Christmas tree is in the corner beside the piano. The tree has been stripped of all its ornaments and has burntdown candle ends on its branches. Nora has no company in the room. She walks about uneasily, perhaps is disturbed by something. Her cloak and hat are lying on the sofa, and as she walks about, she stops by the sofa and takes it. 

She's so worried that she does not want anyone to come in soon. This worry is what makes her think that someone is coming when no one is really coming. The nurse soon enters with news that she has found the fancy dress, but Nora is not even interested in it. In fact, she wishes to tear it into a hundred thousand pieces. She must be really disturbed by something.

The nurse tells Nora that if she goes out looking for Mrs. Linde, she might catch a cold, considering the chilly weather outside. This makes her hint about her disappearance. She tells the nurse that a worse thing is likely to happen. Her inquiry about whether her children may adapt to life without her also hints to this fact. She's also very inquisitive about why Anne abandoned her child and how their relationship is. This is also reason enough for us to start suspecting her next course of action.

When Mrs. Linde enters, Nora starts tells her about the fancy-dress ball that's to be held the next day at the Stenborgs', who live above them. She is supposed to be at the ball as a Neapolitan fisher-girl and dance the Tarantella she was taught at Capri. Mrs. Linde helps her repair her torn dress because Torvald wants her to look as fancy as the character she will be playing.

Mrs. Linde then wishes to know about Dr. Rank. In her explanation, Nora reveals that the doctor suffers from consumption of the spine because of the excesses of his father. Know this same discussion, Mrs. Linde reveals her suspicion that the rich man that Nora had mentioned to her must have been Dr. Rank because he's rich, has no one to provide for and visits every day, just like the man Nora had talked about earlier. Nora refutes her claim and tells her that she could not have thought of borrowing the two hunderd and fifty pounds from Dr. Rank. She, however, further says that if she had asked him for the money, he would have lent it to her. The only impediment would have been the fact that he did not have money then. To this, Mrs. Linde responds by saying that it's wrong for a woman to borrow money behind her husband's back.

Helmer enters and soon a discussion about Krogstad's fate ensues. Nora begs him not to dismiss Krogstad but he won't hear of it. She gives all the reasons she could possibly give to save Krogstad but Helmer tells him that he had already made up his mind to have Mrs. Linde take over Krogstad's responsibilities at the bank, so; there's no room for him. Among the reasons Nora gives are the fact that Krogstad writes for the most scurrilous newspapers that might slander them like they did her father. Helmer responds by saying that his reputation is beyond reproach, unlike her father's. A very proud man this Helmer is! When Nora insists, he tells her that he had made a decision to lay him off and the other employees will be surprised to know that he changed his mind at his wife's bidding.

Helmer reveals that he and Krogstad were once intimate friends while growing up and is afraid that this may give Krogstad the licence to have no restraint when dealing with him a the bank. He claims that he might have overlooked his moral failings but will not be comfortable with Krogstad's familiar tone in his presence. She thinks this is a very narrow-minded way of looking at things. The term "narrow-minded" makes Helmer fly off the handle and give Helen Krogstad's dismissal letter. She's to give it to a messenger for delivery. A very temperamental person this Helmer is! He won't even listen to Nora's prostetations that he should call the maid back for the sake of their family. He claims to understand Nora's worry and says that it's a clear indication of how much she loves him. He goes further to declare his readiness to deal with what he calls "a starving quill-driver's vengeance". In fact, he declares his readiness to exhibit both courage and strength in case they are needed. How ironic! He goes into his room and asks Nora to practice the tarantella with her tambourine.

Nora is still in a state of confusion and anxiety. She talks to herself, wondering what course events will take. There's a ring at the door and when she opens it, she sees Dr. Rank standing without having hung his coat. They engage in a long conversation, in which Dr. Rank reveals that he will be dying soon. He refers to himself as the most wretched of his patients. He goes on to say that his internal economy is bankrupt and he may be rotting in the churchyard in a month. He promises to send Nora a card with a black cross on it to symbolize his end. Besides, he reiterates Nora's initial revelation that he is paying for his father's wrong deeds: "My poor innocent spine has to suffer for my father's youthful amusements" (p. 64). According to him, this is very unfair. He, however, acknowledges that such happens in almost every family: there is always somebody being punished for the wrongs of another person.

Dr. Rank also exhibits his jealousy since the arrival of Mrs. Linde at the Helmer's by arguing that she had come to take his place. To Dr. Rank, this is a way of replacing him as it would make them forget him as soon as he's gone. Nora refutes these claims and tactfully changes the topic. She shows him her silk stalkings and asks for his opinion. Rank responds by saying that he has no means to form an opinion about it.

He then confesses his love for her. According to him,  it's not only Helmer that can readily give his life for her. By this, he means he too can give his life for Nora. In fact, he says that she can command him both body and soul. Even with Dr. Rank's confession, she tells him he should be ashamed of himself for confessing his love for her. She goes further to tell him that she loves Helmer best but the likes of him (Dr. Rank) are only companions.

The maid comes in and hands over a card to Nora. The card is from Krogstad, who has come in through the back stairs and is  waiting in the kitchen. He insists he won't go away until he has spoken to Nora. Nora lies to Dr. Rank that it's about a new dress she has bought but does not wish to let Helmer know about it yet. She asks Dr. Rank to go meet Helmer and keep him as long as possible, which he agrees to do. She asks Helen not to let anyone know about Krogstad's visit. She again lies that it's a surprise. She bolts Helmer's door and let's in Krogstad. He's donning a fur coat, high boots and a cap made of fur. She asks him to speak low for she does not want her husband to hear whatever they will be discussing.

Krogstad reveals that he had received his dismissal letter. She assures him that she had done her best but did not succeed. This, to Krogstad implies that Helmer loves Nora very little. Moreover, he's surprised that Helmer could show such courage. This implies that he never shows such an amount of courage. She begs Krogstad to have some pity on her children but he's so indifferent to this. According to him, Nora and her husband didn't think of his either. He also reveals that he's not ready to part with Nora's bond. Instead, he is planning to use it to blackmail her. He argues that Helmer must help him reform by offering him an opportunity to work at the bank. When he realizes that Nora is not shaken by his blackmail, he walks away, dropping the letter in the letter box. Nora is so stressed by this action. She knows that it's now over between her and Helmer.

Mrs. Linde comes in carrying Nora's dress, which she has repaired. She finds her looking agitated and not showing any interest in the dress. Nora reveals that Krogstad is the one that lent her the money and that she had forged forged a signature. Mrs. Linde is so shocked. Nevertheless, they hatch a plan to have Krogstad ask for his letter back unread. Nora is supposed to delay Helmer as Mrs. Linde goes to convince Krogstad to come for his letter.

From the other room,  Helmer tries to come in but cannot because Nora had locked his door earlier. He thinks that she's trying her dress. When she opens the door, Helmer  and Dr. Rank come in and he notices that she's so worn out. How observant! She denies this, claiming that it is  because she was practising. In fact, she now tells him not to do any other thing the entire evening but only train her, a request he agrees to. She bars him from going to check the letter box for any letters. Helmer finally gives in and plays the piano for her to dance. She deliberately dances violently, making Helmer to stop playing the piano. Dr. Rank takes over the playing of the piano as Helmer moves closer to Nora in order to give her instructions on how to dance better. She still dances inappropriately, annoying Helmer to the point of ordering her to stop. She then asks him to coach her up to the last minute. With Rank's encouragement, he promises to let "the child" have her way. He  also agrees to read the letter that's in the letter box after the dance. Helmer and Dr. Rank go to the dining room. This allows Mrs. Linde to report that Krogstad has gone out of town and that she only left a note for him. Mrs. Linde joins them while Nora remains behind, talking to herself. She concludes that she has twenty-one hours to live. When Helmer calls out for his 'skylark', she goes to him with outstretched hands.