Doll's House (9781443435505)
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
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.
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.
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