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Henrik Ibsen Doll's House short. Dollhouse

A play in three acts

CHARACTERS:

Lawyer Helmer.

Nora, his wife.

Doctor Rank.

Fru Linne.

Private Attorney Krogstad.

Three small children of the Helmers.

Anna Maria, their nanny.

Maid in the Helmer's house.

Messenger.

The action takes place in Helmeriv's apartment.

Act one

Cozy room, tastefully furnished but inexpensive. In the depths, in the middle wall, there are two doors: one on the right leads to the hallway, the second on the left, to Helmer's office. Between these doors is a piano. There is a window in the wall to the left, next to which there is a table with chairs and a sofa. There are also doors in the wall on the right, a kahleva stove, next to which there are several armchairs and a rocking chair, there are engravings on the walls, a shelf with porcelain decorations, a bookcase with books in luxurious bindings. There is a carpet on the floor. Winter day. A fire burns in the oven.

You can hear someone coming into the hallway from the street, then Nora comes into the room, singing merrily and holding the packages that she puts on the table. Through the open door of the hallway one can see a messenger with a Christmas tree and a large basket, which he gives to the servants. Nora orders the maid to hide the Christmas tree, because the children should only see it in the evening, decorated. Then Nora closes the door to the hallway and takes a bag of macaroons out of her pocket, eats a few, laughs softly and contentedly as she looks at the packets. Carefully approaches her husband's room and listens. Sings again. Through the closed door to hear the voice of Helmer, he asks: "Is the lark singing?" “So, it’s a lark,” Nora replies. Helmer also asks through the door when "the squirrel returned." Nora hides the cookie bag, wipes her lips, and invites Helmer to take a look at what she has bought. Helmer asks not to interfere, but a minute later he leaves his office with a pen in his hands to see how "the bird flew to squander money." Nora says that this is the first Christmas when they do not have to deny themselves small joys, because the person will now "earn a lot, a lot of money." Helmer does not agree with his wife, says that he will receive his first salary in a new post only in three months, so there is no need to spend a lot yet. Nora laughs, says that you can borrow a little. Helmer reproaches her: for example, some kind of disaster will happen to him, “tiles from the roof will fall on his head,” what will she do then. Nora replies that when he is gone, it will not matter to her whether she is in debt or not. Helmer reminds that it will not matter to those who lent him money. Nora says that they are strangers, there is nothing to think about them. Helmer delivers a whole speech to keep his wife quiet: no debt, a debt-based house "falls in the shadow of dependency." Nora looked a little offended. To keep the squirrel from pouting, Helmer gives her more money and asks what she has bought. Nora cheered up again, shows gifts for children, hides what she bought for her husband. Nora didn't buy anything for herself: she doesn't need anything. Helmer wonders what to give her. Nora asks for money, which she will wrap in gilded paper and hang on the Christmas tree, and then pick up a gift for them to her taste. Helmer hugs Nora, says that such a bird is expensive for a man. He calls her a “little eccentric”, who looks like her father, because she is always trying to find money somewhere, but when she finds it, she cannot hold it in her hands. However, he likes such a "cute lark". It seems to Helmer that Nora has some kind of suspicious appearance: has she really broken her word to him not to eat sweets, he asks. Nora assures that such a thing never occurred to her, she does nothing in spite of him. Then they discuss their plans for the evening and are glad that they have the opportunity to arrange a small family celebration, to which a friend was invited - Dr. Rank. Helmer recalls last Christmas, when Nora locked herself in her room for almost a month, making decorations for the Christmas tree, but nothing came of it. It was so boring for him to sit by himself those evenings, and she only “spoiled her glasses” in vain. Is it really her fault that the cat tore everything up, laughing, says Nora. The maid informs that some unfamiliar lady has come to Nora, and Dr. Rank has come to Helmer, he has already passed from the hallway to the owner's office. Helmer hurries to his office, and Fru Linne enters the room. Nora doesn't know right away. school friend That's why she got old, and they hadn't seen each other for ten years. Nora recalls that the newspaper announced the death of Fru Lepnoe's husband, but she never wrote to her friend, asking to be forgiven for that. Fru Linne understands everything: family worries prevented Nora, because she has three children. But the man did not leave anything to Fra Linne after his death: no money, no children, “neither grief, nor pity” - nothing that could be lived on. Nora incredulously asks if this is possible. Fru Linne smiled bitterly and patted Nora on the head, replied that sometimes this happens. Nora talks about her children, about her husband. He shares the good news: Helmera has been appointed director of the Joint Stock Bank, it is "great to have a lot of money and not know any grief or worries." Fru Linne, smiling, recalls that even at school Nora "was a spender", it turns out that she has not changed over the years. Nora, laughing softly, says that she is not at all what they imagine her to be. They didn't live so well that she could waste money. She also worked, Nora says in passing, because after his marriage, Helmer had to leave his position in the ministry, because he had to earn more. First year married life he worked tiringly, so he fell seriously ill, his life was in danger, the doctors insisted on treatment in Italy. Nora had just had her first son, but she decided on this trip. The man recovered, but a lot of money came out. Fru Linne cannot believe that Nora is capable of something serious, she says, it's good if there is where to get money. Nora replies that the trip was arranged with her father's money. He was already ill then, and Nora could not go to him, because she was expecting a child, a person's life was in danger. The death of her father is the greatest grief that she experienced during her married life. After his death, they went to Italy, because they had money, but the doctors insisted. Fru Linne asks why now a doctor comes to Helmer. Dr. Rank is a friend, Nora replies, he comes for a friendly visit. Nora becomes embarrassed by the fact that she speaks only about herself, asks her friend: did she really not love her husband at all, why did she get married then. Fru Linne tells the sad story of her life: her mother was sick, she also had two younger brothers in her arms, so she did not dare to refuse a man whom everyone considered a good match. He left nothing after his death, three recent years Fru Linne dragged on like one long day without a day off. Now that day is over: the mother is dead, the brothers are on their feet and taking care of themselves. But she does not feel relief, on the contrary, it became even more difficult for her; for there is no one to live for. Therefore, she decided to move from her hometown, now she is looking for a permanent office job. Nora says that better than that get a little rest; go somewhere. Fru Linne goes to the window and notices that she does not have a father who would give her money for the trip. Then he asks for forgiveness for these words, admits that in his position it is easy to become selfish: she thought Helmer would not be able to take her to work. Nora assures that with all her heart she would like to help her friend. Fru Linne thanks for the support, especially, she says, that Nora does not even know what the real "life cares" are. Nora asks her friend not to treat her so condescendingly, because she, too, has something to be proud of: she saved her husband's life. Fru Linne is surprised. Nora explains that everyone, and especially Helmer, think that her father gave the money for the trip to Italy. But it's not! Nora "found" them herself. Fru Linne is even more surprised: where could Nora get such a lot of money, and even without the knowledge of her husband, because she has no right to it. Nora does not explain anything, laughing, hinting at some rich admirer. Now Frau Linne is already worried: Nora has done something “reckless”. Nora asks if it's wise to save her husband's life. Helmer even now knows nothing about that money, because he can be humiliated by the realization that he owes something to his wife. It would turn their whole relationship upside down, and happy family life would cease to be what it is now, says Nora. Perhaps someday she will tell her husband everything, then how can he not be entertained by her singing and dancing anymore when he looks at his wife seriously. But that, Nora says cheerfully, will never happen. Let Frau Linne not think that that debt does not cause her trouble. You have to deny yourself a lot, secretly from your husband to take work. For example, a month before last Christmas, she was lucky to get such a job, she was copying some papers. Every evening she started in her room and wrote, but then she felt happy, because she earned money, almost like a person. Fru Linne asks how much Nora paid in this way. And she can’t say for sure, it’s very difficult to understand such issues, but she gave everything she could. Sometimes it was very difficult for her, her hands fell, then she dreamed that some old rich man would leave her an inheritance. Nora sincerely rejoices that now that her husband will earn a lot of money, she will quickly repay the debt and destroy the IOU that she gave her time.

A maid comes in and says that some gentleman wants to see Helmer, but there is a doctor. Krogstad is visible in the dissolution of the door. Fru Linne, with a start of astonishment, turns to the window. Nora is also excited, anxiously she asks Krogstad, in which case he came, what he needs from her husband. Krogstad replies that he serves in the Joint Stock Bank, of which Helmera has been appointed director, and to talk about his own private business. Nora, having calmed down, offers to go to her husband's office. Fru Linne asks Nora about Krogstad, because she knew him once. Nora says that Krogstad had an unsuccessful marriage, his wife died, he was left with "a bunch of children." Fru Linne continues to ask further, however, that Krogstad is engaged in different cases. Nora avoids this conversation. Dr. Rank comes out of Helmer's office, Nora recommends him to Mrs. Linne. Rank politely says that he heard a lot about her from Nora and noticed her even when he overtook her on the stairs. She replied that she always climbed the stairs slowly, because it was hard for her, and she felt very tired. Rank wonders why she came to rest in the city. Fru Linne simply says that she did not come to rest, but to look for work, because she needs to live. Rank agrees that most people want to live long. Even "moral cripples", such as, for example, the one that is now sitting in Helmer. Fru Lepnoe gasped. Nora asks who Dr. Rank is referring to. The doctor answers - Krogstad. People like him are always trying to find "moral rot" in a person, use it to their advantage, achieve a profitable position, and moral people always lose in this game. Therefore, society is sick, Nora does not listen to this conversation, she thinks about something. Suddenly she starts clapping her hands. Rank is surprised: how can Nora laugh at this - she has no idea about society. Nora frivolously says that she does not care about society, she rejoices, because she figured out how to help Fra Linna. Then he treats everyone with macaroons. The doctor reminds that Helmer forbade her to eat sweets. Nora points to Fra Linne as if she didn't know and brought some. It turns out Helmer. Nora introduces him to Fru Linne. Helmer does not remember ever hearing about this woman, then guesses that this is his wife's childhood friend. Nora says that Mrs. Linne has considerable experience in office work, but would like to achieve more under the guidance of "an active person." Therefore, having read in the newspapers about the appointment of Helmer as director of the Joint Stock Bank, she quit all her business and came here. Helmer promises Fra Linna to help her get a job. Helmer, Dr. Rank, Fr. Linne are going to go. Nora escorts them into the hallway, asks her husband to return earlier, and invites guests to a Christmas party. You can hear the children running up the stairs. Nora rejoices, wants to show them to her friend, but Helmer urges Frau Linne, "Let the mothers stay with the children."

Anna-Maria enters the room with the children. Nora caresses them, asks about the walk. The game starts. Nora is hiding from the children, who are looking for her. There is a knock on the door, but no one notices. The door from the hallway opens and Krogstad is shown. He looks at the game, then turns to Nora. Nora was frightened by surprise, then she says that her husband is not at home. But Krogstad did not come to Helmer, he wants to talk to Nora. From the conversation it turns out that the money that Nora told Fra Linna, she borrowed from Krogstad. And now he came to talk not about unpaid debts, but about Fru Linna the position that Nora's husband promised her. Krogstad demands that Nora influence her husband, and he refuses his decision to release him. Nora assures that she does not have such influence on Helmer, and he, Krogstad, has no right to dictate her terms to her, because she will soon give all the money. Krogstad warns that he will fight for a post in the bank not for life, but for death. It's not just about wages. This position is his chance to rise from the position in which he finds himself. A few years ago, he made a "rash act", then the case did not reach the court, but his reputation suffered, "as if all paths had crossed." Then he took up the cases of which Nora is well aware. Now his sons are already growing up, so you need to take care of your own reputation and their future. The position in the bank was the first step on this path, now he is being thrown into the pit. However, says Krogstad, he has the means to get Nora to help him. Nora asks if he is going to tell her husband about the debt. She is distressed because she doesn't want Helmer to find out her secret - her pride and joy - from Krogstad. Nora assures: no one will win anything from this. Helmer will pay all the money, but he will make sure that Krogstad is a "bad person", so he will never leave him in the bank. Krogstad is surprised that Nora probably does not understand anything about the cases she has taken on. He explains that Nora's promissory note is signed by her father, who vouched for her daughter. And Krogstad compared the dates and now asks to explain to him how Nora's father could sign the document three days after his death. Nora is silent, then defiantly says that she really signed for her father. She could not send him that document, because her father was seriously ill, and he would have to explain that the money was needed to save Nora's husband from death. Krogstad asks if Nora was aware that she was deceiving him in this way. Nora replies that she did not pay attention to this, besides, she could not stand Krogstad, because he knew what state her husband was in, but was meticulous about every little thing. Krogstad says that Nora probably does not realize what her fault is, but he can assure that what “threw him into the pit” was just as good as what she did. Nora asks if he, too, decided to do something similar to save his wife's life. Krogstad replies that the law does not care what aspirations were in the offender. Nora is sure: those are bad laws. Krogstad remarks that perhaps this is true, but to judge Nora by these laws if he loses his place in the bank. With that, he bowed out.

The children ask Nora to play with them again, but she can no longer. The maid brings the Christmas tree, Nora decorates it. Helmer returns. He asks who came. Nora replies that no one was there. Helmer is surprised, because he met Krogstad on the stairs. Nora is forced to admit that he stopped by. Helmer is sure that he himself understands very well “what Krogstad wants, probably for little Nora to order about him.” Nora is silent: Helmer reproaches his wife for telling y "bmu, her husband, a lie," talking with a man like Krogstad. "So that this never happens again." Helmer looks through the papers that he brought with him. Nora decorates the tree, then asks her husband for advice: the neighbors have a masquerade the other day, and she has not yet decided which costume to choose. Nora assures that she cannot cope with this without the help of a man. Helmer agrees to "help this grief." Nora admires the tree, as if casually asking what is Krogstad's fault. Helmer explains: Krogstad falsified documents. Nora is sure that poverty forced him to take this step. However, according to Helmer, Krogstad's main fault is that he did not repent, but turned out with all the lies and this led to moral ruin. However, the worst thing, Helmer leads further, is that children always suffer in such cases, because such a person is always forced to lie even to relatives, and children “with every breath of air seize evil.” Helmer takes the word from Nora, and will never ask for Krogstad again. “Because it is impossible to work next to him, I feel physical immediately to such people,” says Helmer. Then he takes his papers and goes into the office. Nora is on her own. The nanny comes in, says that the children are asking for their mother. Nora asks "not to let them in". She is amazed that she can "harm the babies", "poison the family."

Action two

And the room itself. The Christmas tree is already shabby, the candles are burnt. Nora herself, she walks excitedly around the room, finally stops and takes her coat, as if having decided on some step, then puts it back on the sofa. She approaches the door, it seems to her that someone has come. She talks to herself, trying to calm down with the fact that on the first day of Christmas no one, not even Krogstad, will dare to come. Looks in the letterbox, didn't send that letter to Helmer. Anna Maria enters with a box of fancy dresses. Nora looks at them and says that she would like to tear it all to pieces. Anna-Maria does not understand her mood, assures that all the costumes are easy to restore. Nora asks about the children, says that now she can no longer be with them, as before. Anna-Maria replies that kids quickly get used to everything. Nora asks: would the children forget their mother if she were gone? The old nanny is frightened: she raised Nora, replaced her mother, who died. Nora reassures her, asks her to go to the children. Fru Linne enters. She was told that Nora came in and did not find her at home. Nora asks her friend to help restore the fancy dress. Helmer wants Nora to dress up in a Neapolitan costume and dance the tarantella she learned while traveling to Italy. Fru Linne gets to work. She thanks Nora for a pleasant last evening, asks about Dr. Rank, always as strange as he was yesterday. Nora reveals that Rank is suffering from a serious illness that he inherited from his rake father. Fru Lepnoe wonders why Rank claimed to have heard her name from Nora, while Helmer apparently had no idea about her. Nora explains that they are friends in the morning, she told him a lot about her childhood, hometown . Helmer is jealous of her, does not want to share these with anyone. He couldn't even hear Nora talking about her family, so she stopped. Fru Linne remarks that Nora needs to finish this story with Doctor Utrom. Nora is surprised, because there is no "story". Fru Linne asks if Rank didn't lend the money. Nora assures that such a thing did not even occur to her, because it would be very difficult for everyone. However, the doctor could not do this then, because he himself did not have the means: he received the inheritance later. But Nora is sure that Rank will come to her aid if she asks. Fru Linne notices that Nora has changed since yesterday, asks what happened. Nora wants to say something, but hears that Helmer has returned, asks her friend to go to the children's room, because Helmer "does not like it when they mess around with sewing in his presence." Nora goes to meet her husband, pretending that she is having fun preparing for the masquerade. Then he says that "the squirrel wants to ask for one thing." Helmer supports this game until he realizes that Nora is returning to yesterday's conversation and asks not to fire Krogstad. Then he becomes relentless. Nora explains her request with the fear that Krogstad might harm Helmer, turn to the newspapers. Helmer recalls the story of Nora's father. It turns out that Helmer met Nora when he came to audit the case of HER father, who was threatened with resignation if Helmer had not treated him with "such benevolence." Helmer notices that there is a significant difference between him and Nora's father - Helmer is an impeccable official. Therefore, he is not afraid of slander. He understands Nora's feelings, which even bring her sincere love for her husband, but he cannot change his mind. First, everyone in the bank knows that he is releasing Krogstad. If he does not do this, then everyone will decide that "the new director changes his mind under the influence of his wife." And that's not the worst. The fact is that in his younger years, Helmer was friends with Krogstad. Now he does not think to hide it. He says “you” to Helmer in the presence of other people, and this is unbearable. Nora does not want to believe that her husband pays attention to such "little things." Helmer is offended. To put an end to this, he orders the maid to deliver a letter announcing Krogstad's resignation to the address. Nora begs to return the letters. Helmer assures that he has enough courage and strength to resist Krogstad. She will see that Helmer is the kind of person who "can take over everything." Nora is horrified: she will never allow this man. Helmer pathetically says that he will share his worries with her, "as it should be for a man and a woman." Then he reassures Nora: the same is just "her empty fantasies." Helmer offers his wife to better practice dancing the tarantella, he will go to his office and close the door so as not to hear anything. Nora is left alone in the room. She is scared, it seems to her that Helmer will fulfill his promise and take the blame when it becomes known about the fake signature on the IOU. She decides to stop it. You can hear the bell ringing in the hallway. Doctor Rank came. Nora is making a lot of efforts to pull herself together. Then he goes out to meet his friend.

The room is already getting dark, so it takes Nora a moment to see Rank's expression. But the conversation gets sad. The disease was progressing, he knew that, but he didn't expect it to end so soon. Rank says that in less than a month it will rot in the cemetery.” Helmer has very refined feelings, says Dr. Rank, he has nothing to do next to the dying. Therefore, as soon as Rank is convinced that he is dying, he will send Helmer a business card with a black cross and close the door to his house for him. Nora is embarrassed, she so wanted Rank to be in good mood Today. He replies that it is difficult to feel good with death behind him; it's not fair that he should pay for the sins of his father, however, says Rank, every family has something like that. Nora closes her ears: she cannot hear about the retribution of children for the sins of their parents. Rank agrees that it's best to laugh about it if you have the strength. Nora puts her hands on his shoulders and asks him not to leave them. Rank is sure that they will easily come to terms with this loss, Mrs. Linne will replace him in the Helmers' house. Nora asks him to keep his voice down, because Fru Linne is in the next room helping to prepare a fancy dress. Then Nora, frolicking, shows Utra some details of the fancy dress. Rank says that the opportunity to visit the Helmers' house helps him forget about his illness. Nora asks Rank if he could dig up her request as proof. friendship . Rank cannot believe that she will "give him such happiness". Nora hesitates for a long time to say frankly what kind of service she asks for. Finally, she begins like this: Dr. Rank can help her distract a little, she is sure of her husband's love, sure that he will not spare his life for her. Rank interrupts Nora, saying that not only Helmer is able to give his life for her. He promised himself that Nora would find out about his feelings and now he is glad not only to talk about them, but also to prove them with deeds. Rank asks Nora to confide in him and tell him what is so embarrassing to her. Nora's mood changes dramatically, her voice becomes even, calm and cold: he did not need to talk about those feelings, she guessed about them, and that was enough. Now she has no right to ask him for that favor. Nora sits down in the rocking chair, smiles at the doctor, says she probably doesn't need help anymore. Rank asks if he has the right to visit their house now. Nora replies that everything will remain as before: a man cannot do without Rank, and she also has fun when he comes. This confused Rank. Nora explains: you love some people the most, but you love the company of others. As a child, she loved her father more than anyone, but she liked to come to the servants' room, where no one taught her, it was so much fun there. With Helmer, she feels like a father. Before Nora could finish, a maid came into the room and handed her a business card. Nora's face changed. Rank noticed this and asked if there might be some trouble in the Burrows. No, answered Nora, then they simply informed, remarks that Nora should finish this story with Dr. Utrom. Nora is surprised, because there is no "story". Fru Linne asks if Rank didn't lend the money. Nora assures that such a thing did not even occur to her, because it would be very difficult for everyone. However, the doctor could not do this then, because he himself did not have the means: he received the inheritance later. But Nora is sure that Rank will come to her aid if she asks. Fru Linne notices that Nora has changed since yesterday, asks what happened. Nora wants to say something, but hears that Helmer has returned, asks her friend to go to the children's room, because Helmer "does not like it when they mess around with sewing in his presence." Nora goes to meet her husband, pretending that she is having fun preparing for the masquerade. Then he says that "the squirrel wants to ask for one thing." Helmer supports this game until he realizes that Nora is returning to yesterday's conversation and asks not to fire Krogstad. Then he becomes relentless. Nora explains her request with the fear that Krogstad might harm Helmer, turn to the newspapers. Helmer recalls the story of Nora's father. It turns out that Helmer met Nora when he came to audit the case of her father, who was threatened with resignation if Helmer had not treated him with "such benevolence." Helmer notices that there is a significant difference between him and Nora's father - Helmer is an impeccable official. Therefore, he is not afraid of slander. He understands Nora's feelings, which even bring her sincere love for her husband, but he cannot change his mind. First, everyone in the bank knows that he is releasing Krogstad. If he does not do this, then everyone will decide that "the new director changes his mind under the influence of his wife." And that's not the worst. The fact is that in his younger years, Helmer was friends with Krogstad. Now he does not think to hide it. He says “you” to Helmer in the presence of other people, and this is unbearable. Nora does not want to believe that her husband pays attention to such "little things." Helmer is offended. To put an end to this, he orders the maid to deliver a letter announcing Krogstad's resignation to the address. Nora begs to return the letters. Helmer assures that he has enough courage and strength to resist Krogstad. She will see that Helmer is the kind of person who "can take over everything." Nora is horrified: she will never allow this man. Helmer pathetically says that he will share his worries with her, "as it should be for a man and a woman." Then he reassures Nora: the same is just "her empty fantasies." Helmer offers his wife to better practice dancing the tarantella, he will go to his office and close the door so as not to hear anything. Nora is left alone in the room. She is scared, it seems to her that Helmer will fulfill his promise and take the blame when it becomes known about the fake signature on the IOU. She decides to stop it. You can hear the bell ringing in the hallway. Doctor Rank came. Nora is making a lot of efforts to pull herself together. Then he goes out to meet his friend.

The room is already getting dark, so it takes Nora a moment to see Rank's expression. But the conversation gets sad. His disease is progressing, he knew it, but did not expect that everything would end so soon. Rank says that in less than a month it will rot in the cemetery.” Helmer has very refined feelings, says Dr. Rank, he has nothing to do next to the dying. Therefore, as soon as Rank is convinced that he is dying, he will send Helmer a business card with a black cross and close the door to his house for him. Nora is embarrassed, wishing Rank were in a good mood today. He replies that it is difficult to feel good with death behind him; it's not fair that he should pay for the sins of his father, however, says Rank, every family has something like that. Nora closes her ears: she cannot hear about the retribution of children for the sins of their parents. Rank agrees that it's best to laugh about it if you have the strength. Nora puts her hands on his shoulders and asks him not to leave them. Rank is sure that they will easily come to terms with this loss, Mrs. Linne will replace him in the Helmers' house. Nora asks him to keep his voice down, because Fru Linne is in the next room helping to prepare a fancy dress. Then Nora, frolicking, shows Utra some details of the fancy dress. Rank says that the opportunity to visit the Helmers' house helps him forget about his illness. Nora asks Rank if he could grant her request as proof of friendship. Rank cannot believe that she will "give him such happiness". Nora hesitates for a long time to say frankly what kind of service she asks for. Finally, she begins like this: Dr. Rank can help her distract a little, she is sure of her husband's love, sure that he will not spare his life for her. Rank interrupts Nora, saying that not only Helmer is able to give his life for her. He promised himself that Nora would find out about his feelings and now he is glad not only to talk about them, but also to prove them with deeds. Rank asks Nora to confide in him and tell him what is so embarrassing to her. Nora's mood changes dramatically, her voice becomes even, calm and cold: he did not need to talk about those feelings, she guessed about them, and that was enough. Now she has no right to ask him for that favor. Nora sits down in the rocking chair, smiles at the doctor, says she probably doesn't need help anymore. Rank asks if he has the right to visit their house now. Nora replies that everything will remain as before: a man cannot do without Rank, and she also has fun when he comes. This confused Rank. Nora explains: you love some people the most, but you love the company of others. As a child, she loved her father more than anyone, but she liked to come to the servants' room, where no one taught her, it was so much fun there. With Helmer, she feels like a father. Nora did not have time to finish: the maid came into the room and gave her a visit. card. Nora's face changed. Rank noticed this and asked if there might be some trouble in the Burrows. No, answered Nora, then they simply said that they had brought a new fancy dress, she was worried that Helmer would not find out, then he was in for a surprise. Rank laughs: so that's the secret Nora was hiding! Rank goes to Helmer's office. Nora locks the door behind him. Enter Krogstad. Nora asks him to speak more quietly, but all the same: he brought a letter to Helmer, in which he talks about Nora's promissory note and a fake signature. However, he reassures Nora that he does not intend to prosecute him and will not demand money either. Krogstad only wants to keep Nora's receipt so that Helmer is in his power. Krogstad is sure that Helmer, in order to avoid a scandal, will fulfill all his requirements: not only return him to work at the bank, but also offer him a higher position. In the plans of Krogstad in a few years to become " right hand director of the bank", but in fact to manage there. Nora says that her husband will never agree to fulfill the demands of the scoundrel. Krogstad states that she does not know her husband well. Nora assures that she will decide on suicide if Krogstad does not give up his intention. He does not believe that "such a fragile lady" is capable of this, in addition, this step will be useless, because Krogstad will gain power over her memory. Nora was dumbfounded. Krogstad says that he warned, so he asks not to do stupid things, but to fulfill his requirements. Let Helmer hush up that he himself forced Krogstad to take such decisive action. Krogstad comes out into the hallway to hear him putting a letter in a box. Nora realizes that nothing can save him. Fru Linne comes out of the children's room, sees that Nora herself is not herself. Nora shows her the letter, which is visible through the glass in the drawer, tells her who the letter is from and who lent her the money. Fru Linne is convinced that Helmer knows the truth better. Nora tells her friend about the fake signature on the receipt and asks to be a witness. In case something happens to her, or someone else wants to take his blame on himself, Mrs. Linne must testify that Nora admits her guilt and no one knew anything about that debt. Fru Linne does not understand anything Nora says. And only keeps talking about a terrible miracle that is being prepared. Fru Linne is going to Krogstad: once he was much capable for her sake. Nora assures that nothing will come of this, because the letter is already in the box. Hear Helmer's voice asking to be let into his own living room." Fru Linne hurries out. Nora opens the door. Helmer and Rank are surprised, they expected Nora to change into a fancy dress and therefore closed the door. Nora asks her husband to help her remember the tarantella, assuring her that without his help she won't be able to dance at the ball tomorrow. Nora's excitement, her worried appearance, Helmer explains only by "childish fear." He assures that he will "teach" his "helpless creature" all evening. Just see if there are any letters. Nora rushes to the piano and plays a tarantella, asking her to leave everything and help her. Helmer sits down at the piano. Nora is a brown tambourine and dances. She dances as if it were her life's work. Even Helmer noticed this, he notes that Nora forgot everything, "why he taught her." Frau Linne returns. Helmer stops Nora, says that she really has a lot to make up for, promises to devote all her free time to preparing for Nora's performance at the masquerade. Nora orders the maid to serve champagne for dinner and lots of macaroons. Inviting everyone to the table, she asks Fra Linne to stay, as if to help her fix her hair. Leaving the room, Rank notices to Helmer that Nora's behavior is a little strange, asking if she is not pregnant. Helmer assures that there is nothing to worry about: Nora is simply afraid of performing at a masquerade, “ children's fear', which he was talking about. Fru Linne. says that Krogstad was not at home, he went out of town, he will return only the next evening, she left him a note. Nora is sure that nothing can be fixed, if not a miracle. Helmer calls his "lark". Nora rushes to him, opening her arms.

Act Three

And the room itself. The sound of music comes from the top floor. Fru Linne sits at a table with an open book. She tries to read, but listens more to see if anyone is coming. Enter Krogstad. He asks what the note he received from Fra Linne means. She assures that they have something to talk about. Krogstad wonders why in Helmer's house. Fru Linne explains that it is impossible to enter it, but here no one will interfere with them: the maid is sleeping, the hosts are at the ball. Krogstad is amazed how it is after his letter. Helmeri can also dance. Fru Linne wants to talk not about the Helmers, but about herself and Krogstad. He is not inclined to enter into a conversation, because he considers her a woman who is capable of betraying everyone for money. It turns out that when Fru Linne and Krogstad loved each other. But he did not have a permanent income, he was just starting the service. Fru Linne had a sick mother and little brothers in her arms, and Krogstad could not take on such a burden, so she was forced to agree to marry another man. Fru Linne wrote a letter to Krogstad so that he would tear out feelings for her from his heart. Many years have passed, and now she asks herself if she did the right thing then and for the sake of her relatives she married a man whom she did not love at all. Krogstad says that then he lost not only his beloved girl, he lost the ground under his feet. Now he looks like a man who surfaced on the wreckage of the ship. Fru Linne feels the same way, perhaps it will be easier for them to survive on those wreckage together, she notes. Krogstad does not believe Fra Linna: does she really not know his reputation? She explains that she worked all her life because there was someone for whom. Now she has no one to work for, there is little joy in working for herself. She realized from his words that next to her he could become a completely different person. She needs someone to love and take care of someone, and his children need a mother, they need each other. Krogstad takes her by the hand, thanks her, although he still cannot believe in such a happy coincidence. Fru Linne listens: they can hear the tarantella being played, when the dance is over, the Helmers will return. Krogstad is in despair, because he is sure that Mrs. Lepnoe does not know what step he has taken against Helmer, he regrets that he cannot correct anything. Fru Linne says that she knows everything well, even now Krogstad's letter to Helmer lies in mailbox , Krogstad suggests that Fru Linne sacrifices herself again, now for Nora: She replies that "he who once sold himself for someone else will do it to her a second time." She doesn't want this letter to be destroyed. Fru Linne believes that she understood well what kind of relationship developed between the Helmer spouses, so she is sure that it is time to put an end to all secrets, Helmer must know the truth. Fru Linne hurries Krogstad: the tarantella is over, now the owners will return. Krogstad turns out. Fru Linne stays on her own. She's excited about this turn of events." Now she will have "for whom to live ... where to bring light and warmth." The Helmeri return. From the hallway, you can hear Nora asking her husband not to rush home, to let her "just have a little more fun." But he is relentless. Helmer is surprised by Frau Linne's late visit, and explains that he really wanted to see Nora in fancy dress. Helmer takes off Nora's shawl and offers to admire his wife. He says that only her stubbornness harms Nora's beauty a little: almost by force he had to take his wife out of the masquerade, she almost ruined his plan. He knew that Nora's tarantella would be admired by everyone, although this time she "broke the rules of art a little and danced too naturally." And let it be, Helmer is ready to forgive it. The most important thing, says Helmer, is the finale. Surely, after such a furor, he could allow Nora to stay in order to reduce the impression of her dance. Therefore, he grabbed his wife's arm and walked with her through the hall, bowed to everyone, and "the wonderful vision disappeared." It's "so spectacular," and how can Nora understand this, Helmer adds, taking off her coat and walking to her office. Fru Linne quietly says that she talked with Krogstad, she does not convey the content of the conversation, she only says: Nora must tell; husband the truth, otherwise he will learn about everything from the letter. Nora is not going to tell her husband anything, thanks her friend, says that "now she knows what to do." Helmer comes out of the office. Fru Linne says goodbye, Helmer gives her weaving, not missing an opportunity to express “his opinion” here: he advises Fru Linne to leave this occupation and take up embroidery, because “it is more pleasant to look at the embroiderer, her movements are freer, lighter ...” Saying goodbye , Mrs. Linne advises Nora to "not be stubborn" anymore. Helmer approves of this advice. He escorts Frau Linne to the door, says that he would gladly lead further, and she is not far away. Nora Helmer and remain together. He rejoices that he finally "sent" the "boring person." Nora says she is “very tired” and “will soon fall asleep. Helmer again “convinced himself that he was right: he did a good job of taking his wife from the masquerade. Nora notices that the man "does everything well." Helmer calls this response "the first human words of a lark" of the evening. He asks if Nora noticed that Dr. Rank was in a great mood at the ball. She regrets that she did not have the opportunity to speak with Utrom. Helmer admires Nora, a "treasure" that "belongs" only to him. Nora asks not to talk to her like that today. Helmer does not notice his wife's mood, continues to lead his own way, admits that in public, looking at her, he imagines that Nora is his secret outfit and no one knows about their love. Watching her dance the tarantella made his blood boil, which is why he made Nora come home so early. Nora asks to leave it. Isn't he her husband insists Helmer. Hear someone knocking on the front door. Nora is scared. Helmer is annoyed, but goes to open it, because Dr. Rank has come. He is indeed busier than ever. He says that he had a lot of fun at the ball, and how to deny yourself at least once such pleasure, especially after a fruitful day. Nora asks if the doctor did some "important research". Helmer scoffs a little at these words: "little Nora" is talking about "research". Nora ignores the ridicule and asks further about the results. Rank assures that he did not expect more, because the result of his research is confidence. That's why he decided to take a walk today. Nora understands what Rank is hinting at. He asks if the doctor likes masquerades and how they will dress next. Rank says that Nora should dress up as a "darling of happiness", and he will put on an invisibility cap. Then Rank asks Helmer for a cigar and thanks him "for the light." Saying goodbye. Helmer quickly says "goodbye, goodbye friend", and Nora wishes a good sleep" and asks to wish her the same. Rank is surprised, but willing. Helmer takes out the keys and goes to the mailbox: he wants to pick up the letters, because tomorrow there will be no room for the morning papers. He notices that someone has been trying to open the box. Nora assures that they are children. Helmer takes out the sheets and notices two doctor's business cards on top, each with a black cross. Nora explains what this means. Helmer regrets that Ranka will no longer be with them, because "he, his suffering, his loneliness" created a certain "background" of Helmer's "bright as the sun happiness". And even Helmer is not capable of such regrets for a long time, he reassures himself that “it’s better this way”, now no one will interfere with their “happiness”. How much he wishes Nora was in real danger, then he would show what he is capable of, Helmer says. Nora can hardly restrain herself, she firmly and decisively invites her husband to read the letters. And Helmer does not intend to work, he wants to be with Nora, "with her." Even knowing that a friend is dying? (asks Nora). Helmer agrees: “something bad”, “the thought of death”, “we need to get rid of this”, to forget, intervened in their wonderful relationship. Helmer goes to his office. Nora wraps herself in a black shawl and is about to leave the house: she has decided to throw herself into the water. At the same moment, Helmer leaves the office with a letter in his hand, asking if Nora knows what is written there. Knows, answers Nora and wants to go. Helmer, grabbing her, delays. Nora tries to escape, asks not to save her. Helmer recoiled: it took him some time to believe that the letter contained the truth. Nora says that she loved him, that's why she took this step. Let her not unscrew, Helmer says, but answer: does she realize what she has done. Nora looks at her husband intently: only now she begins to understand that Helmer does not listen to her. He rubs his own: what a terrible awakening, for eight years he lived with a hypocrite, worse with a criminal, did not know what abyss he was standing over; of course he might have expected this, for Nora had adopted her father's frivolous principles. So this is how she thanked him for the fact that for her sake he looked "through his fingers" at the "father's business"! Nora keeps her eyes fixed on Helmer. But he does not think to stop in his accusations: she ruined his happiness, his future, now he will not be able to "even utter a word" in the hands of Krogstad. Nora says that when she is gone, he will be free. “What use is it to me that you will not be in the world ... More. they will think that I myself stood behind your back, that I taught you ... The matter must be hushed up ... You will remain in the house ... but you have no right to raise children ... We must save the wreckage, decorum. This impassioned speech is interrupted by a knock on the door. Helmer is frankly frightened, Nora will not move. from place. The maid brings a letter from Krogstad to Nora. Helmer takes the letters and reads them himself. Nora is waiting. Finally Helmer joyfully exclaims that he is saved. Nora asks, and she? Of course she did, says Helmer: Krogstad returned the debt. Helmer tears the document into pieces and throws it into the oven: now there is no trace left. Why is "little Nora not happy that everything is over." He has already forgiven her, because he understands that she did it because of Great love to him. It is not her fault that she did not understand the means when she saved him, let her not think about the words that escaped in the first minutes. Nora thanks for the "forgiveness" and leaves the room. Helmer asks where is she. Nora replies that she needs to take off her fancy dress. Helmer remains at the door of her room and reiterates his view of events. “Try to calm down, poor bird ... I have wide wings to cover you ... everything will go on as before, I won’t have to repeat to you for a long time that I have forgiven ... it’s sweet for a husband to realize that he has forgiven his wife ... from this she becomes both a wife and a child ... I will be your will and your conscience. It turns out Nora. She invites Helmer to sit down, because she has a long conversation with him. He does not understand her: in eight years of married life, they have never spoken seriously. The fact of the matter, says Nora, is that he never understood her, and she never understood either herself or him, only this evening she understood something. In her life she loved more than all two people - her father and husband, but they were never interested in her views. She was a daughter-doll, then a wife-doll, she was “fed, watered, dressed, and her business was to entertain. She was never happy, "only cheerful." The children she gave birth to became his "dolls". She is not ready to raise children, because she has not even raised herself. Now she realized that Helmer would not be able to help her complete this task. She needs to be alone in order to understand herself and the world in which she lives, because she is no longer satisfied with what most people say, what they write in books. Helmer asks if religion does not give him answers to such questions, does not clearly indicate its place and purpose in the family. Nora replies that she needs to figure it out here too, because she doesn’t really know what religion is, only from the words of the pastor. She wants to check if the pastor was telling the truth, it may be her truth. Nora does not know what conscience is either; for his conscience tells him that a woman has the right to spare her dying father, to save the life of a man, and the laws recognize such actions as criminal. Therefore, she must decide who is right - society or she. For that, Nora wants to leave Helmer's house. He does not believe that she decided on this. Does Nora not love him anymore? It’s not a shame to admit it, but he lost the rights to her love, she saw that he was not at all the one for whom she had recognized him for many years. For eight years of married life, she was waiting for a miracle: she was sure that Helmer, having learned about the falsified signature of her father, would take all the blame on herself so that this would not happen, she wanted to commit suicide. And he was afraid, not for her, for himself. When the fear passed, he decided to pretend that nothing happened at all. At that moment, she realized that she had lived for eight years with a strange husband and had three children from him. Helmer realizes that there is an abyss between him and Nora. Surely nothing can fill it, he has enough strength to become different, he assures. Nora says that the "doll" should be taken away from him, then, perhaps, he will change. Nora gives it to Helmer wedding ring takes his. Leaves the keys, all the same, the servant knows better than she, what and how in the house. She does not say goodbye to children, she knows: now they are in best hands than her. Nora is sure: she will remember this house, and the children, and Helmer, but she does not want to accept anything from him, because he has become a stranger to her. Really forever, Helmer asks. Nora says that a miracle needs to happen: he and she must change and become real spouses. Nora is coming. Helmer is desperate. Then he says with hope: “A miracle of miracles?!”. Heard the gate slam.

Ibsen's contemporary Norway. Cozy and inexpensively furnished apartment of the lawyer Thorvald Helmer and his wife Nora. Christmas Eve. Nora enters the house from the street, she brings with her a lot of boxes - these are gifts for the Christmas tree for children and Torvald. The husband lovingly fusses around his wife and jokingly accuses her - his squirrel, butterfly, bird, chrysalis, lark - of prodigality. But this Christmas, Nora objects to him, a little extravagance will not hurt them, because from the new year Helmer takes over as director of the bank and they will not need, as in previous years, to save literally on everything.

After courting his wife (even after the birth of three children she is a dazzling beauty), Helmer retires to the office, and Nora fru Linde's old friend enters the living room, she has just been off the ship. The women had not seen each other for a long time - almost eight years, during which time a friend managed to bury her husband, whose marriage turned out to be childless. And Nora? Is she still carelessly fluttering through life? If so. In the first year of marriage, when Helmer left the ministry, he had, in addition to his main job, to take business papers at home and sit over them until late in the evening. As a result, he fell ill, and the doctors said that only the southern climate could save him. The whole family spent a whole year in Italy. Money for the trip, a rather large amount, Nora supposedly took from her father, but this is not true; a certain gentleman helped her... No, no, let Fru Linde think nothing of the sort!... The money was borrowed against receipt. And now Nora regularly pays interest on the loan, earning money secretly from her husband.

Will Fru Linde settle again here in their city? What will she do? Helmer, probably, will be able to arrange it at his bank, right now he is compiling the staff list and talking in the office with attorney Krogstad, about to fire him - the place is vacant. How? Does Fru Linde know him a little? Yeah, I see, so they lived in the same city and sometimes met.

Thorvald Helmer really fires Krogstad. He does not like people with a tarnished reputation. At one time, Krogstad (Helmer studied with him) committed a forgery - forged a signature on a monetary document, but avoided the court, having managed to get out of a difficult situation. But that's even worse! Unpunished vice sows around the seeds of decay. A man like Krogstad should be forbidden to have children - with such an educator, only criminals will grow out of them.

Ibsen's contemporary Norway. Cozy and inexpensively furnished apartment of the lawyer Thorvald Helmer and his wife Nora. Christmas Eve. Nora enters the house from the street, she brings with her a lot of boxes - these are gifts for the Christmas tree for children and Torvald. The husband lovingly fusses around his wife and jokingly accuses her - his squirrel, butterfly, bird, chrysalis, lark - of prodigality. But this Christmas, Nora tells him, a little extravagance won't hurt them, because from the new year Helmer takes over as director of the bank and they won't need to, as in the past.

Years, save literally on everything.

They said that only the southern climate could save him. The whole family spent a whole year in Italy. Money for the trip, a rather large amount, Nora supposedly took from her father, but this is not true; a certain gentleman helped her... No, no, let Fru Linde think nothing of the sort! The money was borrowed against a receipt. And now Nora regularly pays interest on the loan, earning money secretly from her husband.

Will Fru Linde settle again here in their city? What will she do? Helmer can probably arrange it at his bank, right now he is compiling the staff list and talking in the office with attorney Krogstad, about to fire him - the place is vacant. How? Does Fru Linde know him a little? Yeah, I see, so they lived in the same city and sometimes met.

Thorvald Helmer really fires Krogstad. He does not like people with a tarnished reputation. At one time, Krogstad (Helmer studied with him) committed a forgery - forged a signature on a monetary document, but escaped the court, having managed to get out of a difficult situation. But that's even worse! Unpunished vice sows around the seeds of decay. A man like Krogstad should be forbidden to have children - with such an educator, only criminals will grow out of them.

But the forgery, as it turns out, was also committed by Nora. She forged on a loan letter to Krogstad (it was he who gave her money for Italy) the surety signature of her father, whom she could not turn to - at that time he was dying. Moreover, the document is dated on the day when the father could not sign it, because by that time he had already died. Driven out of work, Krogstad asks Nora to put in a good word for him, he has proven himself in the bank, but the appointment of a new director has confused all his cards. Helmer wants to fire him not only for his dark past, but even for the fact that, out of old memory, he called him “you” several times. Nora asks for Krogstad, but Helmer, who does not take her seriously, refuses. Then Krogstad threatens Hope with exposure: he will tell her husband where she got the money for a trip to Italy. In addition, Helmer learns about her forgery. Having achieved nothing from Nora this time, Krogstad frankly blackmails both spouses: he sends a letter to Helmer with a direct threat - if the story of Nora's forgery comes out, he will not be able to hold on to the post of bank director. Nora rushes about in search of a way out. She first flirts with family friend Dr. Rank. He is secretly in love with her, but doomed to death - he has hereditary syphilis. Rank is ready for anything for Nora and would give her money, but by this time it turns out that Krogstad needs something else. The story of Dr. Rank ends tragically - the Helmers' spouses receive a postcard from him with a black cross by mail - the cross means that the doctor has locked himself at home and does not accept anyone else: he will die there without scaring his friends with his appearance.

But what does Hope do anyway? Shame and exposure terrify her, it's better to commit suicide! But the relentless Krogstad warns: suicide is pointless, in which case her memory will be dishonored.

Help comes from an unexpected source - from a friend of Nora fru Linde. At the decisive moment, she explains with Krogstad: in the past they were connected by love, but Linde married another: in her arms were the old mother and two younger brothers, the financial position of Krogstad was precarious. Now Mrs. Linde is free: her mother and husband have died, the brothers have really got on their feet - she is ready to marry Krogstad, if he still needs it. Krogstad is delighted, his life is getting better, he finally finds both love and a faithful person, he refuses blackmail. But it's too late - his letter is in Helmer's mailbox, the key to which only he has. Well, let Nora find out what her Helmer is really worth with his sanctimonious morality and prejudices! Krogstad decides.

In fact, after reading the letter, Helmer is almost hysterical from the righteous anger that has seized him. How? Is his wife his bird, his bird, his lark, his chrysalis a criminal? And it is because of her that the well-being of the family, achieved by such hard work, is now being sprayed! They will not get rid of the demands of Krogstad until the end of their days! Helmer won't let Hope spoil the kids! From now on, they will be given to the care of the nanny! To maintain appearances, Helmer will allow Hope to stay in the house, but now they will live separately!

At this moment, a messenger brings a letter from Krogstad. He renounces his demands and returns Nora's loan letter. Helmer's mood instantly changes. They are saved! Everything will be as before, even better! But then Nora, whom Helmer used to consider his obedient toy, suddenly rebels against him. She's leaving home! Gone forever! First, the father, and then Helmer, got used to treating her like a beautiful doll, which is pleasant to caress. She understood this before, but she loved Helmer and forgave him. Now the matter is different - she really hoped for a miracle - that Helmer, as loving husband take her blame. Now she no longer loves Helmer, as Helmer did not love her before - he just liked being in love with her. They are strangers. And to live still means to commit adultery, selling oneself for conveniences and money.

Nora's decision stuns Helmer. He is smart enough to understand that her words and feelings are serious. But is there really no hope that someday they will reunite? He will do everything so that they are no longer strangers! “It would be a miracle of miracles,” Nora replies, and miracles, as she has learned from experience, rarely happen. Her decision is final.

Option 2

Events take place in Norway. At the beginning of the story, the reader sees the cozy apartment of the lawyer Thorvald Helmer and his wife Nora. Holiday outside. Nora returned home. She has gifts for the children in her bag. The husband half-jokingly accuses her of squandering. But the wife says that since the New Year he becomes the director of the bank, and now they will have everything they need.

After a good dinner, Helmer goes to his office, and Nora meets with a friend at home. They haven't seen each other for almost eight years. Therefore, they have something to talk about. Helmer's wife's friend, Fru Linde, wants to stay in the city. She needs a job, and she hopes that Helmer will get her a job at his bank. He just fired an employee.

Torvald really fires an employee of the Krogstad bank. At one time, he forged documents, but escaped trial. And yet such an employee should be fired, according to Helmer. In fact, Nora did the forgery. Then she needed money for the treatment of her husband, and she decided on a crime. Krogstad threatens Nora with exposure unless she asks her husband to leave him in the bank. However, Helmer finds out about Nora's crime and Korgstad begins to openly blackmail both spouses. He is ready to talk about the forgery and Helmer will not be able to stay in the chair of the bank director. Nora is looking for a way out, but all attempts are in vain. She decides that suicide is the best way out. But Korgstad warns Nora that this will not achieve anything, as her memory will be defamed.

Help came from outside. Fru Linde once associated love with Korgstad. She comes to him and offers herself as a wife, if needed. He was glad that life was beginning to take on bright colors and refuses to blackmail the Helmer family. But it's' too late. He sent a letter to Helmer, and now he wants to see what he can do with his moral principles.

Helmer, after reading the letter, begins to beat in hysterics with anger. He cannot believe that his wife committed fraud. Helmer realizes that they will never get rid of Korgstad's blackmail. He decides to leave his wife in the house, but only for the sake of decency.

At this time, they bring another letter from Korgstad. He renounced his demands and returned Nora's receipt. Helmer's mood rises and he believes that everything will now fall into place. However, Nora leaves his life herself. She fell out of love with Helier. Nora expected her husband to make a fair decision, but not be so cruel to her. Now she understands that they are strangers and leaves him.

The decision of the hole stunned Helmer. He understands that he cannot be changed. But still, he hopes that someday they will be able to connect their lives again. Nora says it would be the most miraculous miracle, but she does not believe in miracles and leaves forever.

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Summary Dollhouse Ibsen

After courting his wife (even after the birth of three children she is a dazzling beauty), Helmer retires to the office, and Nora fru Linde's old friend enters the living room, she has just been off the ship. The women had not seen each other for a long time - almost eight years, during which time a friend managed to bury her husband, whose marriage turned out to be childless. And Nora? Is she still carelessly fluttering through life? If so. In the first year of their marriage, when Helmer left the ministry, in addition to his main job, he had to take business papers home and sit over them until late in the evening. As a result, he fell ill, and the doctors said that only the southern climate could save him. The whole family spent a whole year in Italy. Money for the trip, a rather large amount, Nora supposedly took from her father, but this is not true; a certain gentleman helped her... No, no, let Fru Linde think nothing of the sort!... The money was borrowed against receipt. And now Nora regularly pays interest on the loan, earning money secretly from her husband.

But the forgery, as it turns out, was also committed by Nora. She forged on a loan letter to Krogstad (it was he who gave her money for Italy) a surety signature of her father, whom she could not turn to - at that time he was dying. Moreover, the document is dated on the day when the father could not sign it, because by that time he had already died. Driven out of work, Krogstad asks Nora to put in a good word for him, he has proven himself in the bank, but the appointment of a new director has confused all his cards. Helmer wants to fire him not only for his dark past, but even for the fact that, out of old memory, he called him “you” several times. Nora asks for Krogstad, but Helmer, who does not take her seriously, refuses. Then Krogstad threatens Hope with exposure: he will tell her husband where she got the money for a trip to Italy. In addition, Helmer learns about her forgery. Having achieved nothing from Nora this time, Krogstad frankly blackmails both spouses: he sends a letter to Helmer with a direct threat - if the story of Nora's forgery comes out, he will not be able to hold on to the post of bank director. Nora rushes about in search of a way out. She first flirts with family friend Dr. Rank. He is secretly in love with her, but doomed to death - he has hereditary syphilis. Rank is ready for anything for Nora and would give her money, but by this time it turns out that Krogstad needs something else. The story of Dr. Rank ends tragically - the Helmers' spouses receive a postcard with a black cross from him by mail - the cross means that the doctor has locked himself at home and does not accept anyone else: he will die there without scaring his friends with his appearance.

But what does Hope do anyway? Shame and exposure terrify her, it's better to commit suicide! But the relentless Krogstad warns: suicide is pointless, in which case her memory will be dishonored.

Help comes from an unexpected quarter - from Nora's friend Linde. At the decisive moment, she explains to Krogstad: in the past they were connected by love, but Linde married another: she had an old mother and two younger brothers in her arms, while Krogstad's financial situation was precarious. Now Mrs. Linde is free: her mother and husband have died, the brothers have really got on their feet - she is ready to marry Krogstad, if he still needs it. Krogstad is delighted, his life is getting better, he finally finds both love and a faithful person, he refuses blackmail. But it's too late - his letter is in Helmer's mailbox, the key to which only he has. Well, let Nora find out what her Helmer is really worth with his sanctimonious morality and prejudices! - decides Krogstad.

In fact, after reading the letter, Helmer is almost hysterical from the righteous anger that has seized him. How? His wife is his bird, his bird, the lark, his chrysalis a criminal? And it is because of her that the well-being of the family, achieved by such hard work, is now being sprayed! They will not get rid of the demands of Krogstad until the end of their days! Helmer won't let Hope spoil the kids! From now on, they will be given to the care of the nanny! To maintain appearances, Helmer will allow Hope to stay in the house, but now they will live separately!

At this moment, a messenger brings a letter from Krogstad. He renounces his demands and returns Nora's loan letter. Helmer's mood instantly changes. They are saved! Everything will be as before, even better! But then Nora, whom Helmer used to consider his obedient toy, suddenly rebels against him. She's leaving home! Gone forever! First, the father, and then Helmer, got used to treating her like a beautiful doll, which is pleasant to caress. She understood this before, but she loved Helmer and forgave him. Now the matter is different - she really hoped for a miracle - that Helmer, as a loving husband, would take her guilt upon himself. Now she no longer loves Helmer, as Helmer did not love her before - he just liked being in love with her. They are strangers. And to live still means to commit adultery, selling oneself for conveniences and money.

Well-being, but also yourself. Ibsen was the first to lift the veil over relationships in a single family. This had to be done in order to understand the mechanism of marital and family happiness. According to Ibsen, the fate of society depends on this. The main character of "A Doll's House" Nora sees the meaning of life in love for loved ones, namely her husband and children. She sincerely believes that peace reigns in her family and ...

Him society. But, having already learned earlier not to dwell on those external forms in which human existence proceeds, and not to believe ringing phrases that embellish reality, Ibsen is clearly aware that at a new historical stage within a prosperous society there are painful, ugly phenomena, severe internal vices. Ibsen first states this in...

In the event of the loss of a breadwinner (that is, the death of a husband)? The fact that the death of her husband (but is it a loved one?) Should not affect her material well-being. But only! Let us conclude: it is not unrequited love that is the cause of the tragedy that happened before our eyes - but absent, almost completely absent love. Love is not a happy accident and not a gift of fate, but a high art, ...

All this will come later. Later, when the need arises. Nora took the first step in acquiring them by stepping out of the doll house into real life... Around the same time, a very different answer was given to the question of women's rights. In 1888, August Strinberg wrote the play Miss Julie, in which main character has, by right of her birth, a count's daughter of high status and - ...

Henrik Ibsen

Dollhouse

CHARACTERS

Lawyer Helmer.

Nora, his wife.

Doctor Rank.

Fru Linne.

Private Attorney Krogstad.

Three small children of the Helmers.

Anna Maria, their nanny.

Maid in Helmer's house.

Messenger.

The action takes place in Helmer's apartment.

Act one

A cozy room, furnished with taste, but inexpensive furniture. In the depths, in the middle wall, there are two doors: one, on the right, leads to the front room, the other, on the left, to Helmer's office. Between these doors is a piano. There is a door in the middle of the left side wall, a window closer to the proscenium. By the window round table with armchairs and a sofa. In the right wall, somewhat further inland, there is also a door, and in front is a tiled stove; in front of her are several armchairs and a rocking chair. There is a table between the stove and the door. Engravings on the walls. A bookcase with porcelain and other trinkets, a bookcase with books in luxurious bindings. There is a carpet on the floor. There is fire in the stove. Winter day. In the front bell. After a while, you can hear the door being unlocked. Nora enters the room from the hall, singing merrily, outerwear, laden with a pile of packages and bundles, which she stacks on the table to the right. The door to the anteroom remains open, and a messenger is seen there, bringing a Christmas tree and a basket, which he gives to the maid who opens the door.

NORA. Hide the tree well, Elene. The children must not see her before the evening when she is decorated. (To the messenger, taking out his purse.) How many?

MESSENGER. Fifty era!

NORA. Here is the crown... No, keep everything for yourself.

The messenger bows and leaves. Nora shuts the front door, takes off her outer dress, and continues to laugh with a low, contented laugh. Then he takes a bag of macaroons out of his pocket and eats a few. Carefully goes to the door leading to the husband's room, and listens.

Yes, he is at home. (Humming again as she walks over to the table.)

HELMER (from office). What is it, the lark sang?

NORA (expanding purchases). He is.

HELMER. The squirrel is messing around there?

HELMER. When did the squirrel return?

NORA. Just now. (Puts the cookie bag in his pocket and wipes his lips.) Come here, Torvald, look what I have bought!

HELMER. Wait, don't interfere. (After a while he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.) Bought, you say? All this? .. So the bird flew away again to waste money?

NORA. You know, Torvald, it's time for us to unwind a little at last. It's the first Christmas we don't need to embarrass ourselves like that.

HELMER. Well, we can’t wind either.

NORA. A little bit is possible! Is it true? The most amazing thing! You've been given a big salary now, and you'll be earning lots and lots of money.

HELMER. Yes, new year. But they will give me a salary only after three months.

NORA. Trivia! You can take it for now.

HELMER. Nora! (Comes up and jokingly takes her by the ear.) Again, our frivolity is right there. Just imagine, today I will borrow a thousand crowns, you will spend them on holidays, and on the eve of the New Year, tiles from the roof will fall on my head - and that's it.

NORA (covering his mouth with his hand). Ugh! Don't say such mean things.

HELMER. No, you imagine a similar case - what then?

NORA. If such a horror had already happened, then it would not matter to me whether I have debts or not.

HELMER. Well, what about the people I would borrow from?

NORA. For them? Why think about them! After all, they are strangers!

HELMER. Nora, Nora, you are the est woman! But seriously, Nora, you know my views on this matter. No debt! Never borrow! On the hearth, based on loans, on debts, some ugly shadow of dependence falls. We have held out, bravely, to this day, so we will endure and a little more, - not for long, after all.

NORA (going to the stove). Yes, whatever you want, Torvald.

HELMER (behind her). Well, well, here the bird lowered its wings. A? The squirrel pouted. (Pulls out wallet.) Nora, what do you think I have here?

NORA (turning around, lively). Money!

HELMER. It is for you! (Gives her some papers.) Lord, I know how many holiday expenses there are in the house.

NORA (counting). Ten, twenty, thirty, forty. Thank you, thank you, Torvald. Now I have enough for a long time.

HELMER. Yes, you try.

NORA. Yes, yes, definitely. But come here, I'll show you what I bought. And how cheap! Look, here new suit Ivaru and the saber. Here is a horse and a pipe for Bob. And here is the doll and doll bed for Emmy. Unpretentious, but she will still break them soon. And here on the dresses and aprons of the servants. The old woman Anna-Maria should, of course, have been given more ...

HELMER. What's in this package?

NORA (jumping up). No, no, Torvald! You can't see this until tonight!

HELMER. Oh well! And you tell me, little reel, what did you look after yourself?

NORA. Hey, I don't need anything.

HELMER. Of course you must! Tell me now something so reasonable that you would like most of all.

NORA. Right, you don't have to. Or listen, Torvald...

HELMER. Well? N o r a (fingering through the buttons of his jacket without looking at him). If you want to give me something, then you would ... you would ...

HELMER. Well, well, speak up.

NORA (fast). You would give me money, Torvald. How much can you. I would then, one of these days, and bought myself something for them.

HELMER. No, listen, Nora...

NORA. Yes, yes, do it, dear Torvald! Please! I would wrap the money in gold paper and hang it on the Christmas tree. Wouldn't that be fun?

HELMER. And what are the names of those birds who are always littering with money?

NORA. I know, I know - skeins. But let's do as I say, Torvald. Then I will have time to think about what I especially need. Isn't that prudent? A?

HELMER (smiling). Of course, that is, if you could really keep this money and then really buy something for yourself with it. And then they will go to the economy, to various unnecessary trifles, and again I will have to fork out.

NORA. Oh Torvald...

HELMER. There is no need to argue, my dear! (Hugs her.) The bird is cute, but spends an awful lot of money. It is simply unbelievable how expensive such a bird is for a husband.

NORA. Ugh! How can you say that! I save as much as I can.

HELMER (funny). That's the real truth! How much can you. But you can't at all.

NORA (sings and smiles). Hm! If only you knew how many expenses we, larks and squirrels, have, Torvald!

HELMER. You are a little freak! Two drops of water - your father. All you're doing is trying to get money. And when you get it - look, they passed between your fingers, you yourself never know where you put them. Well, you have to take you the way you are. It's in your blood. Yes, yes, it's hereditary in you, Nora.

NORA. Ah, I wish I could inherit more of his qualities from my father!

HELMER. And I would not want you to be different from what you are, my dear lark! But listen, it seems to me that you ... you have ... how should I put it? You look kind of suspicious today.

NORA. I have?

HELMER. Well, yes. Look me right in the eyes.

NORA (looks at him). Well?

HELMER (shaking finger). Gourmand didn't go out a little in the city today?

NORA. No, what are you!

HELMER. As if the gourmet didn’t run into a candy store?

NORA. But I assure you, Torvald...

HELMER. And didn't you taste the jam?

NORA. And I didn't think.