A DOLL’S HOUSE
Henrik Ibsen
CONTENTS
Dramatis Personae
Act I
Act II
Act III
About the Author
About the Series
Copyright
About the Publisher
Dramatis Personae
Torvald Helmer
Nora, his wife
Doctor Rank
Mrs. Linde
Nils Krogstad
Helmer’s three young children
Anne, their nurse
A Housemaid
A Porter
The action takes place in Helmer’s house.
Act I
Scene
A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly.
At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance hall, another to the left leads to Helmer’s study. Between the doors stands a piano.
In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window. Near the window are a round table, armchairs and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking chair; between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a small bookcase with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter.
A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened the door.
NORA
Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. (To the PORTER, taking out her purse.) How much?
PORTER
Sixpence.
NORA
There is a shilling. No, keep the change. (The PORTER thanks her, and goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens.) Yes, he is in. (Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.)
HELMER
(Calls out from his room.) Is that my little lark twittering out there?
NORA
(Busy opening some of the parcels.) Yes, it is!
HELMER
Is it my little squirrel bustling about?
NORA
Yes!
HELMER
When did my squirrel come home?
NORA
Just now. (Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth.) Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.
HELMER
Don’t disturb me. (A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.) Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
NORA
Yes but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economise.
HELMER
Still, you know, we can’t spend money recklessly.
NORA
Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn’t we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.
HELMER
Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due.
NORA
Pooh! we can borrow until then.
HELMER
Nora! (Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear.) The same little featherhead! Suppose, now, that I borrowed fifty pounds today, and you spent it all in the Christmas week, and then on New Year’s Eve a slate fell on my head and killed me, and—
NORA
(Putting her hands over his mouth.) Oh! don’t say such horrid things.
HELMER
Still, suppose that happened—what then?
NORA
If that were to happen, I don’t suppose I should care whether I owed money or not.
HELMER
Yes, but what about the people who had lent it?
NORA
They? Who would bother about them? I should not know who they were.
HELMER
That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle.
NORA
(Moving towards the stove.) As you please, Torvald.
HELMER
(Following her.) Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? (Taking out his purse.) Nora, what do you think I have got here?
NORA
(Turning round quickly.) Money!
HELMER
There you are. (Gives her some money.) Do you think I don’t know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmastime?
NORA (Counting.) Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time.
HELMER
Indeed it must.
NORA
Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better.
HELMER
And what is in this parcel?
NORA
(Crying out.) No, no! you mustn’t see that until this evening.
HELMER
Very well. But now tell me, you extravagant little person, what would you like for yourself?
NORA
For myself? Oh, I am sure I don’t want anything.
HELMER
Yes, but you must. Tell me something reasonable that you would particularly like to have.
NORA
No, I really can’t think of anything—unless, Torvald—
HELMER
Well?
NORA
(Playing with his coat buttons, and without raising her eyes to his.) If you really want to give me something, you might—you might—
HELMER
Well, out with it!
NORA
(Speaking quickly.) You might give me money, Torvald. Only just as much as you can afford; and then one of these days I will buy something with it.
HELMER
But, Nora—
NORA
Oh, do! dear Torvald; please, please do! Then I will wrap it up in beautiful gilt paper and hang it on the Christmas Tree. Wouldn’t that be fun?
HELMER
What are little people called that are always wasting money?
NORA
Spendthrifts—I know. Let us do as you suggest, Torvald, and then I shall have time to think what I am most in want of. That is a very sensible plan, isn’t it?
HELMER
(Smiling.) Indee
d it is—that is to say, if you were really to save out of the money I give you, and then really buy something for yourself. But if you spend it all on the housekeeping and any number of unnecessary things, then I merely have to pay up again.
NORA
Oh but, Torvald—
HELMER
You can’t deny it, my dear little Nora. (Puts his arm round her waist.) It’s a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of money. One would hardly believe how expensive such little persons are!
NORA
It’s a shame to say that. I do really save all I can.
HELMER
(Laughing). That’s very true—all you can. But you can’t save anything!
NORA
(Smiling quietly and happily.) You haven’t any idea how many expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald.
HELMER
You are an odd little soul. Very like your father. You always find some new way of wheedling money out of me, and, as soon as you have got it, it seems to melt in your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you as you are. It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you can inherit these things, Nora.
NORA
Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa’s qualities.
HELMER
And I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my sweet little skylark. But, do you know, it strikes me that you are looking rather—what shall I say—rather uneasy today?
NORA
Do I?
HELMER
You do, really. Look straight at me.
NORA
(Looks at him.) Well?
HELMER
(Wagging his finger at her.) Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today?
NORA
No; what makes you think that?
HELMER
Hasn’t she paid a visit to the confectioner’s?
NORA
No, I assure you, Torvald—
HELMER
Not been nibbling sweets?
NORA
No, certainly not.
HELMER
Not even taken a bite at a macaroon or two?
NORA
No, Torvald, I assure you really—
HELMER
There, there, of course I was only joking.
NORA
(Going to the table on the right.) I should not think of going against your wishes.
HELMER
No, I am sure of that; besides, you gave me your word—(Going up to her.) Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas Tree is lit, no doubt.
NORA
Did you remember to invite Doctor Rank?
HELMER
No. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner with us. However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered some good wine. Nora, you can’t think how I am looking forward to this evening.
NORA
So am I! And how the children will enjoy themselves, Torvald!
HELMER
It is splendid to feel that one has a perfectly safe appointment, and a big enough income. It’s delightful to think of, isn’t it?
NORA
It’s wonderful!
HELMER
Do you remember last Christmas? For a full three weeks beforehand you shut yourself up every evening until long after midnight, making ornaments for the Christmas Tree, and all the other fine things that were to be a surprise to us. It was the dullest three weeks I ever spent!
NORA
I didn’t find it dull.
HELMER
(Smiling). But there was precious little result, Nora.
NORA
Oh, you shouldn’t tease me about that again. How could I help the cat’s going in and tearing everything to pieces?
HELMER
Of course you couldn’t, poor little girl. You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing. But it is a good thing that our hard times are over.
NORA
Yes, it is really wonderful.
HELMER
This time I needn’t sit here and be dull all alone, and you needn’t ruin your dear eyes and your pretty little hands—
NORA
(Clapping her hands.) No, Torvald, I needn’t any longer, need I! It’s wonderfully lovely to hear you say so! (Taking his arm.) Now I will tell you how I have been thinking we ought to arrange things, Torvald. As soon as Christmas is over—(A bell rings in the hall.) There’s the bell. (She tidies the room a little.) There’s someone at the door. What a nuisance!
HELMER
If it is a caller, remember I am not at home.
MAID
(In the doorway.) A lady to see you, ma’am,—a stranger.
NORA
Ask her to come in.
MAID
(To HELMER) The doctor came at the same time, sir.
HELMER
Did he go straight into my room?
MAID
Yes, sir.
(HELMER goes into his room. The MAID ushers in MRS. LINDE, who is in travelling dress, and shuts the door.)
MRS. LINDE
(In a dejected and timid voice.) How do you do, Nora?
NORA
(Doubtfully.) How do you do—
MRS. LINDE
You don’t recognise me, I suppose.
NORA
No, I don’t know—yes, to be sure, I seem to—(Suddenly.) Yes! Christine! Is it really you?
MRS. LINDE
Yes, it is I.
NORA
Christine! To think of my not recognising you! And yet how could I—(In a gentle voice.) How you have altered, Christine!
MRS. LINDE
Yes, I have indeed. In nine, ten long years—
NORA
Is it so long since we met? I suppose it is. The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you. And so now you have come into the town, and have taken this long journey in winter—that was plucky of you.
MRS. LINDE
I arrived by steamer this morning.
NORA
To have some fun at Christmastime, of course. How delightful! We will have such fun together! But take off your things. You are not cold, I hope. (Helps her.) Now we will sit down by the stove, and be cosy. No, take this armchair; I will sit here in the rocking chair. (Takes her hands.) Now you look like your old self again; it was only the first moment—You are a little paler, Christine, and perhaps a little thinner.
MRS. LINDE
And much, much older, Nora.
NORA
Perhaps a little older; very, very little; certainly not much. (Stops suddenly and speaks seriously.) What a thoughtless creature I am, chattering away like this. My poor, dear Christine, do forgive me.
MRS. LINDE
What do you mean, Nora?
NORA
(Gently.) Poor Christine, you are a widow.
MRS. LINDE
Yes; it is three years ago now.
NORA
Yes, I knew; I saw it in the papers. I assure you, Christine, I meant ever so often to write to you at the time, but I always put it off and something always prevented me.
MRS. LINDE
I quite understand, dear.
NORA
It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered. And he left you nothing?
MRS. LINDE
No.
NORA
And no children?
MRS. LINDE
No.
NORA
Nothing at all, then.
MRS. LINDE
Not even any sorrow or grief to live upon.
NORA
(Looking incredulously at her.) But, Christine, is that possible?
MRS. LINDE
(Smiles sadly and strokes her hair). It sometimes happens, Nora.
NORA
So you are quite alone. How dreadfully sad that must be. I have three lovely children. You can’t see them just now, for they are out with their nurse. But now you must tell me all about it.
MRS. LINDE
No, no; I want to hear about you.
NORA
No, you must begin. I mustn’t be selfish today; today I must only think of your affairs. But there is one thing I must tell you. Do you know we have just had a great piece of good luck?
MRS. LINDE
No, what is it?
NORA
Just fancy, my husband has been made manager of the Bank!
MRS. LINDE
Your husband? What good luck!
NORA
Yes, tremendous! A barrister’s profession is such an uncertain thing, especially if he won’t undertake unsavoury cases; and naturally Torvald has never been willing to do that, and I quite agree with him. You may imagine how pleased we are! He is to take up his work in the Bank at the New Year, and then he will have a big salary and lots of commissions. For the future we can live quite differently—we can do just as we like. I feel so relieved and so happy, Christine! It will be splendid to have heaps of money and not need to have any anxiety, won’t it?
MRS. LINDE
Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to have what one needs.
NORA
No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money.
MRS. LINDE
(Smiling.) Nora, Nora, haven’t you learned sense yet? In our schooldays you were a great spendthrift.
NORA
(Laughing.) Yes, that is what Torvald says now. (Wags her finger at her.) But “Nora, Nora” is not so silly as you think. We have not been in a position for me to waste money. We have both had to work.
MRS. LINDE
You too?
NORA
Yes; odds and ends, needlework, crotchet-work, embroidery, and that kind of thing. (Dropping her voice.) And other things as well. You know Torvald left his office when we were married? There was no prospect of promotion there, and he had to try and earn more than before. But during the first year he over-worked himself dreadfully. You see, he had to make money every way he could, and he worked early and late; but he couldn’t stand it, and fell dreadfully ill, and the doctors said it was necessary for him to go south.
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