(THE SAME SCENE—The table has been placed in the middle of thestage, with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The doorinto the hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above.MRS. LINDE is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of abook; she tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts.Every now and then she listens intently for a sound at the outerdoor.)
Mrs. Linde (looking at her watch). Not yet—and the timeis nearly up. If only he does not—. (Listens again.) Ah, therehe is. (Goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Lightfootsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers.) Come in. There isno one here.
Krogstad (in the doorway). I found a note from you athome. What does this mean?
Mrs. Linde. It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talkwith you.
Krogstad. Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it shouldbe here?
Mrs. Linde. It is impossible where I live; there is no privateentrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep,and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs.
Krogstad (coming into the room). Are the Helmers really ata dance tonight?
Mrs. Linde. Yes, why not?
Krogstad. Certainly—why not?
Mrs. Linde. Now, Nils, let us have a talk.
Krogstad. Can we two have anything to talk about?
Mrs. Linde. We have a great deal to talk about.
Krogstad. I shouldn't have thought so.
Mrs. Linde. No, you have never properly understood me.
Krogstad. Was there anything else to understand except what wasobvious to all the world—a heartless woman jilts a man when a morelucrative chance turns up.
Mrs. Linde. Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as allthat? And do you believe that I did it with a light heart?
Krogstad. Didn't you?
Mrs. Linde. Nils, did you really think that?
Krogstad. If it were as you say, why did you write to me as youdid at the time?
Mrs. Linde. I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you,it was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me.
Krogstad (wringing his hands). So that was it. And allthis—only for the sake of money.
Mrs. Linde. You must not forget that I had a helpless mother andtwo little brothers. We couldn't wait for you, Nils; your prospectsseemed hopeless then.
Krogstad. That may be so, but you had no right to throw me overfor any one else's sake.
Mrs. Linde. Indeed I don't know. Many a time did I ask myself ifI had a right to do it.
Krogstad (more gently). When I lost you, it was as if allthe solid ground went from under my feet. Look at me now—I am ashipwrecked man clinging to a bit of wreckage.
Mrs. Linde. But help may be near.
Krogstad. It was near; but then you came and stood in my way.
Mrs. Linde. Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that Ilearnt it was your place I was going to take in the bank.
Krogstad. I believe you, if you say so. But now that you know it,are you not going to give it up to me?
Mrs. Linde. No, because that would not benefit you in the least.
Krogstad. Oh, benefit, benefit—I would have done it whether or no.
Mrs. Linde. I have learnt to act prudently. Life, and hard,bitter necessity have taught me that.
Krogstad. And life has taught me not to believe in fine speeches.
Mrs. Linde. Then life has taught you something very reasonable.But deeds you must believe in?
Krogstad. What do you mean by that?
Mrs. Linde. You said you were like a shipwrecked man clinging tosome wreckage.
Krogstad. I had good reason to say so.
Mrs. Linde. Well, I am like a shipwrecked woman clinging to somewreckage—no one to mourn for, no one to care for.
Krogstad. It was your own choice.
Mrs. Linde. There was no other choice, then.
Krogstad. Well, what now?
Mrs. Linde. Nils, how would it be if we two shipwrecked peoplecould join forces?
Krogstad. What are you saying?
Mrs. Linde. Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand abetter chance than each on their own.
Krogstad. Christine!
Mrs. Linde. What do you suppose brought me to town?
Krogstad. Do you mean that you gave me a thought?
Mrs. Linde. I could not endure life without work. All my life, aslong as I can remember, I have worked, and it has been my greatest andonly pleasure. But now I am quite alone inthe world—my life is so dreadfully empty and I feel so forsaken. Thereis not the least pleasure in working for one's self. Nils, give mesomeone and something to work for.
Krogstad. I don't trust that. It is nothing but a woman'soverstrained sense of generosity that prompts you to make such an offerof your self.
Mrs. Linde. Have you ever noticed anything of the sort in me?
Krogstad. Could you really do it? Tell me—do you know all aboutmy past life?
Mrs. Linde. Yes.
Krogstad. And do you know what they think of me here?
Mrs. Linde. You seemed to me to imply that with me you might havebeen quite another man.
Krogstad. I am certain of it.
Mrs. Linde. Is it too late now?
Krogstad. Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I amsure you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage,then—?
Mrs. Linde. I want to be a mother to someone, and your childrenneed a mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your realcharacter—I can dare anything together with you.
Krogstad (grasps her hands). Thanks, thanks, Christine!Now I shall find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. Ah, butI forgot—
Mrs. Linde (listening). Hush! The Tarantella! Go, go!
Krogstad. Why? What is it?
Mrs. Linde. Do you hear them up there? When that is over, we mayexpect them back.
Krogstad. Yes, yes—I will go. But it is all no use. Of courseyou are not aware what steps I have taken in the matter of the Helmers.
Mrs. Linde. Yes, I know all about that.
Krogstad. And in spite of that have you the courage to—?
Mrs. Linde. I understand very well to what lengths a man like youmight be driven by despair.
Krogstad. If I could only undo what I have done!
Mrs. Linde. You cannot. Your letter is lying in the letter-box now.
Krogstad. Are you sure of that?
Mrs. Linde. Quite sure, but—
Krogstad (with a searching look at her). Is that what itall means?—that you want to save your friend at any cost? Tell mefrankly. Is that it?
Mrs. Linde. Nils, a woman who has once sold herself for another'ssake, doesn't do it a second time.
Krogstad. I will ask for my letter back.
Mrs. Linde. No, no.
Krogstad. Yes, of course I will. I will wait here till Helmercomes; I will tell him he must give me my letter back—that it onlyconcerns my dismissal—that he is not to read it—
Mrs. Linde. No, Nils, you must not recall your letter.
Krogstad. But, tell me, wasn't it for that very purpose that youasked me to meet you here?
Mrs. Linde. In my first moment of fright, it was. But twenty-fourhours have elapsed since then, and in that time I have witnessedincredible things in this house. Helmer must know all about it. Thisunhappy secret must be enclosed; they must have a complete understandingbetween them, which is impossible with all this concealment andfalsehood going on.
Krogstad. Very well, if you will take the responsibility. Butthere is one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once.
Mrs. Linde (listening). You must be quick and go! Thedance is over; we are not safe a moment longer.
Krogstad. I will wait for you below.
Mrs. Linde. Yes, do. You must see me back to my door.
Krogstad. I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortunein my life! (Goes out through the outer door. The door between theroom and the hall remains open.)
Mrs. Linde (tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloakready). What a difference! What a difference! Someone to work forand live for—a home to bring comfort into. That I will do, indeed. Iwish they would be quick and come. (Listens.) Ah, there they arenow. I must put on my things. (Takes up her hat and cloak.HELMER'S and NORA'S voices are heard outside; a key is turned,and HELMER brings NORA almost by force into the hall. Sheis in an Italian costume with a large blackshawl round her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which isflying open.)
Nora (hanging back in the doorway, and struggling withhim). No, no, no!—don't take me in. I want to go upstairs again; Idon't want to leave so early.
Helmer. But, my dearest Nora—
Nora. Please, Torvald dear—please, please—only an hour more.
Helmer. Not a single minute, my sweet Nora. You know that was ouragreement. Come along into the room; you are catching cold standingthere. (He brings her gently into the room, in spite of herresistance.)
Mrs. Linde. Good evening.
Nora. Christine!
Helmer. You here, so late, Mrs. Linde?
Mrs. Linde. Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Norain her dress.
Nora. Have you been sitting here waiting for me?
Mrs. Linde. Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had alreadygone upstairs; and I thought I couldn't go away again without havingseen you.
Helmer (taking off NORA'S shawl). Yes, take a goodlook at her. I think she is worth looking at. Isn't she charming, Mrs.Linde?
Mrs. Linde. Yes, indeed she is.
Helmer. Doesn't she look remarkably pretty? Everyone thought soat the dance. But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person.What are we to do with her? You will hardly believe that I had almost tobring her away by force.
Nora. Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if itwere only for half an hour.
Helmer. Listen to her, Mrs. Linde! She had danced her Tarantella,and it had been a tremendous success, as it deserved—although possiblythe performance was a trifle too realistic—little more so, I mean,than was strictly compatible with the limitations of art. But never mindabout that! The chief thing is, she had made a success—she had made atremendous success. Do you think I was going to let her remain thereafter that, and spoil the effect? No, indeed! I took my charming littleCapri maiden—my capricious little Capri maiden, I should say—on myarm; took one quick turn round the room; a curtsey on either side, and,as they say in novels, the beautiful apparition disappeared. An exitought always to be effective, Mrs. Linde; but that is what I cannot makeNora understand. Pooh! this room is hot. (Throws his domino on achair, and opens the door of his room.) Hullo! it's all dark inhere. Oh, of course—excuse me—. (He goes in, and lights somecandles.)
Nora (in a hurried and breathless whisper). Well?
Mrs. Linde. (in a low voice). I have had a talk with him.
Nora. Yes, and—
Mrs. Linde. Nora, you must tell your husband all about it.
Nora (in an expressionless voice). I knew it.
Mrs. Linde. You have nothing to be afraid ofas far as Krogstad is concerned; but you must tell him.
Nora. I won't tell him.
Mrs. Linde. Then the letter will.
Nora. Thank you, Christine. Now I know what I must do. Hush—!
Helmer (coming in again). Well, Mrs. Linde, have youadmired her?
Mrs. Linde. Yes, and now I will say good-night.
Helmer. What, already? Is this yours, this knitting?
Mrs. Linde (taking it). Yes, thank you, I had very nearlyforgotten it.
Helmer. So you knit?
Mrs. Linde. Of course.
Helmer. Do you know, you ought to embroider?
Mrs. Linde. Really? Why?
Helmer. Yes, it's far more becoming. Let me show you. You holdthe embroidery thus in your left hand, and use the needle with theright—like this—with a long, easy sweep. Do you see?
Mrs. Linde. Yes, perhaps—
Helmer. But in the case of knitting—that can never be anythingbut ungraceful; look here—the arms close together, the knitting-needlesgoing up and down—it has a sort of Chinese effect—. That was reallyexcellent champagne they gave us.
Mrs. Linde. Well,—good-night, Nora, and don't be self-willed anymore.
Helmer. That's right, Mrs. Linde.
Mrs. Linde. Good-night, Mr. Helmer.
Helmer (accompanying her to the door). Good-night,good-night. I hope you will get home all right. I should be very happyto—but you haven't any great distance to go. Good-night, good-night.(She goes out; he shuts the door after her and comes in again.)Ah!—at last we have got rid of her. She is a frightful bore, thatwoman.
Nora. Aren't you very tired, Torvald?
Helmer. No, not in the least.
Nora. Nor sleepy?
Helmer. Not a bit. On the contrary, I feel extraordinarilylively. And you?—you really look both tired and sleepy.
Nora. Yes, I am very tired. I want to go to sleep at once.
Helmer. There, you see it was quite right of me not to let youstay there any longer.
Nora. Everything you do is quite right, Torvald.
Helmer (kissing her on the forehead). Now my littleskylark is speaking reasonably. Did you notice what good spirits Rankwas in this evening?
Nora. Really? Was he? I didn't speak to him at all.
Helmer. And I very little, but I have not for a long time seenhim in such good form. (Looks for a while at her and then goes nearerto her.) It is delightful to be at home by ourselves again, to beall alone with you—you fascinating, charming little darling!
Nora. Don't look at me like that, Torvald.
Helmer. Why shouldn't I look at my dearest treasure?—at all thebeauty that is mine, all my very own?
Nora (going to the other side of the table). You mustn'tsay things like that to me tonight.
Helmer (following her). You have still got the Tarantellain your blood, I see. And it makes you more captivating than ever.Listen—the guests are beginning to go now. (In a lower voice.)Nora—soon the whole house will be quiet.
Nora. Yes, I hope so.
Helmer. Yes, my own darling Nora. Do you know, when I am out at aparty with you like this, why I speak so little to you, keep away fromyou, and only send a stolen glance in your direction now and then?—doyou know why I do that? It is because I make believe to myself that weare secretly in love, and you are my secretly promised bride, and thatno one suspects there is anything between us.
Nora. Yes, yes—I know very well your thoughts are with me allthe time.
Helmer. And when we are leaving, and I am putting the shawl overyour beautiful young shoulders—on your lovely neck—then I imagine thatyou are my young bride and that we have just come from the wedding, andI am bringing you for the first time into our home—to be alone with youfor the first time—quite alone with my shy little darling! All thisevening I have longed for nothing but you. When I watched the seductivefigures of theTarantella, my blood was on fire; I could endure it no longer, and thatwas why I brought you down so early—
Nora. Go away, Torvald! You must let me go. I won't—
Helmer. What's that? You're joking, my little Nora! Youwon't—you won't? Am I not your husband—? (A knock is heard at theouter door.)
Nora (starting). Did you hear—?
Helmer (going into the hall). Who is it?
Rank (outside). It is I. May I come in for a moment?
Helmer (in a fretful whisper). Oh, what does he want now?(Aloud.) Wait a minute? (Unlocks the door.) Come, that'skind of you not to pass by our door.
Rank. I thought I heard your voice, and felt as if I should liketo look in. (With a swift glance round.) Ah, yes!—these dearfamiliar rooms. You are very happy and cosy in here, you two.
Helmer. It seems to me that you looked after yourself pretty wellupstairs too.
Rank. Excellently. Why shouldn't I? Why shouldn't one enjoyeverything in this world?—at any rate as much as one can, and as longas one can. The wine was capital—
Helmer. Especially the champagne.
Rank. So you noticed that too? It is almost incredible how much Imanaged to put away!
Nora. Torvald drank a great deal of champagne tonight, too.
Rank. Did he?
Nora. Yes, and he is always in such good spirits afterwards.
Rank. Well, why should one not enjoy a merry evening after awell-spent day?
Helmer. Well spent? I am afraid I can't take credit for that.
Rank (clapping him on the back). But I can, you know!
Nora. Doctor Rank, you must have been occupied with somescientific investigation today.
Rank. Exactly.
Helmer. Just listen!—little Nora talking about scientificinvestigations!
Nora. And may I congratulate you on the result?
Rank. Indeed you may.
Nora. Was it favourable, then.
Rank. The best possible, for both doctor and patient—certainty.
Nora (quickly and searchingly). Certainty?
Rank. Absolute certainty. So wasn't I entitled to make a merryevening of it after that?
Nora. Yes, you certainly were, Doctor Rank.
Helmer. I think so too, so long as you don't have to pay for itin the morning.
Rank. Oh well, one can't have anything in this life withoutpaying for it.
Nora. Doctor Rank—are you fond of fancy-dress balls?
Rank. Yes, if there is a fine lot of pretty costumes.
Nora. Tell me—what shall we two wear at the next?
Helmer. Little featherbrain!—are you thinking of the next already?
Rank. We two? Yes, I can tell you. You shall go as a good fairy—
Helmer. Yes, but what do you suggest as an appropriate costumefor that?
Rank. Let your wife go dressed just as she is in every-day life.
Helmer. That was really very prettily turned. But can't you tellus what you will be?
Rank. Yes, my dear friend, I have quite made up my mind aboutthat.
Helmer. Well?
Rank. At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible.
Helmer That's a good joke!
Rank. There is a big black hat—have you never heard of hats thatmake you invisible? If you put one on, no one can see you.
Helmer (suppressing a smile). Yes, you are quite right.
Rank. But I am clean forgetting what I came for. Helmer, give mea cigar—one of the dark Havanas.
Helmer. With the greatest pleasure. (Offers him his case.)
Rank (takes a cigar and cuts off the end). Thanks.
Nora (striking a match). Let me give you a light.
Rank. Thank you. (She holds the match for him to light hiscigar.) And now good-bye!
Helmer. Good-bye, good-bye, dear old man!
Nora. Sleep well, Doctor Rank.
Rank. Thank you for that wish.
Nora. Wish me the same.
Rank. You? Well, if you want me to sleep well! And thanks for thelight. (He nods to them both and goes out.)
Helmer (in a subdued voice). He has drunk more than he ought.
Nora (absently). Maybe. (HELMER takes a bunch of keysout of his pocket and goes into the hall.) Torvald! what are yougoing to do there?
Helmer. Empty the letter-box; it is quite full; there will be noroom to put the newspaper in to-morrow morning.
Nora. Are you going to work to-night?
Helmer. You know quite well I'm not. What is this? Some one hasbeen at the lock.
Nora. At the lock?
Helmer. Yes, someone has. What can it mean? I should never havethought the maid—. Here is a broken hairpin. Nora, it is one of yours.
Nora (quickly). Then it must have been the children—
Helmer. Then you must get them out of those ways. There, at lastI have got it open. (Takes out the contents of the letter-box, andcalls to the kitchen.) Helen!—Helen, put out the light over thefront door. (Goes back into the room and shuts the door into thehall. He holds out his hand full of letters.) Look at that—lookwhat a heap of them there are. (Turning them over.) What on earthis that?
Nora (at the window). The letter—No! Torvald, no!
Helmer. Two cards—of Rank's.
Nora. Of Doctor Rank's?
Helmer (looking at them). Doctor Rank. They were on thetop. He must have put them in when he went out.
Nora. Is there anything written on them?
Helmer. There is a black cross over the name. Look there—what anuncomfortable idea! It looks as If he were announcing his own death.
Nora. It is just what he is doing.
Helmer. What? Do you know anything about it? Has he said anythingto you?
Nora. Yes. He told me that when the cards came it would be hisleave-taking from us. He means to shut himself up and die.
Helmer. My poor old friend. Certainly I knew we should not havehim very long with us. But so soon! And so he hides himself away like awounded animal.
Nora. If it has to happen, it is best it should be without aword—don't you think so, Torvald?
Helmer (walking up and down). He has so grown into ourlives. I can't think of him as having gone out of them. He, with hissufferings and his loneliness, was like a cloudy background to oursunlit happiness. Well, perhaps it is best so. For him, anyway.(Standing still.) And perhaps for us too, Nora. We two are thrownquite upon each other now. (Puts his arms around her.) My darlingwife, I don't feel as if I could hold you tight enough. Do you know,Nora, I have often wished that youmight be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life'sblood, and everything, for your sake.
Nora (disengages herself, and says firmly and decidedly).Now you must read your letters, Torvald.
Helmer. No, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife.
Nora. With the thought of your friend's death—
Helmer. You are right, it has affected us both. Something uglyhas come between us—the thought of the horrors of death. We must tryand rid our minds of that. Until then—we will each go to our own room.
Nora (hanging on his neck). Good-night,Torvald—Good-night!
Helmer (kissing her on the forehead). Good-night, mylittle singing-bird. Sleep sound, Nora. Now I will read my lettersthrough. (He takes his letters and goes into his room, shutting thedoor after him.)
Nora (gropes distractedly about, seizes HELMER'Sdomino, throws it round her, while she says in quick, hoarse,spasmodic whispers). Never to see him again. Never! Never! (Putsher shawl over her head.) Never to see my children againeither—never again. Never! Never!—Ah! the icy, black water—theunfathomable depths—If only it were over! He has got it now—now he isreading it. Good-bye, Torvald and my children! (She is about to rushout through the hall, when HELMERopens his door hurriedly and stands with an open letter in hishand.)
Helmer. Nora!
Nora. Ah!—
Helmer. What is this? Do you know what is in this letter?
Nora. Yes, I know. Let me go! Let me get out!
Helmer (holding her back). Where are you going?
Nora (trying to get free). You shan't save me, Torvald!
Helmer (reeling). True? Is this true, that I read here?Horrible! No, no—it is impossible that it can be true.
Nora. It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world.
Helmer. Oh, don't let us have any silly excuses.
Nora (taking a step towards him). Torvald—!
Helmer. Miserable creature—what have you done?
Nora. Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall nottake it upon yourself.
Helmer. No tragedy airs, please. (Locks the hall door.)Here you shall stay and give me an explanation. Do you understand whatyou have done? Answer me? Do you understand what you have done?
Nora (looks steadily at him and says with agrowing look of coldness in her face). Yes, now I am beginningto understand thoroughly.
Helmer (walking about the room). What a horribleawakening! All these eight years—she who was my joy and pride—ahypocrite, a liar—worse, worse—a criminal! The unutterable ugliness ofit all!—For shame! For shame! (NORA is silent and looks steadily athim. He stops in front of her.) I ought to have suspected thatsomething of the sort would happen. I ought to have foreseen it. Allyour father's want of principle—be silent!—all your father's want ofprinciple has come out in you. No religion, no morality, no sense ofduty—How I am punished for having winked at what he did! I did it foryour sake, and this is how you repay me.
Nora. Yes, that's just it.
Helmer. Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruinedall my future. It is horrible to think of! I am in the power of anunscrupulous man; he can do what he likes with me, ask anything he likesof me, give me any orders he pleases—I dare not refuse. And I must sinkto such miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman!
Nora. When I am out of the way, you will be free.
Helmer. No fine speeches, please. Your father had always plentyof those ready, too. What good would it be to me if you were out of theway, as you say? Not the slightest. He can make the affair knowneverywhere; and ifhe does, I may be falsely suspected of having been a party to yourcriminal action. Very likely people will think I was behind it all—thatit was I who prompted you! And I have to thank you for all this—youwhom I have cherished during the whole of our married life. Do youunderstand now what it is you have done for me?
Nora (coldly and quietly). Yes.
Helmer. It is so incredible that I can't take it in. But we mustcome to some understanding. Take off that shawl. Take it off, I tellyou. I must try and appease him some way or another. The matter must behushed up at any cost. And as for you and me, it must appear as ifeverything between us were as before—but naturally only in the eyes ofthe world. You will still remain in my house, that is a matter ofcourse. But I shall not allow you to bring up the children; I dare nottrust them to you. To think that I should be obliged to say so to onewhom I have loved so dearly, and whom I still—. No, that is all over.From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us isto save the remains, the fragments, the appearance—
(A ring is heard at the front-door bell.)
Helmer (with a start). What is that? So late! Can theworst—? Can he—? Hide yourself, Nora. Say you are ill.
(NORA stands motionless. HELMER goes and unlocks the hall door.)
Maid (half-dressed, comes to the door). A letter for the mistress.
Helmer. Give it to me. (Takes the letter, and shuts thedoor.) Yes, it is from him. You shall not have it; I will read itmyself.
Nora. Yes, read it.
Helmer (standing by the lamp). I scarcely have the courageto do it. It may mean ruin for both of us. No, I must know. (Tearsopen the letter, runs his eye over a few lines, looks at a paperenclosed, and gives a shout of joy.) Nora! (She looks at him,questioningly.) Nora! No, I must read it once again—. Yes, it istrue! I am saved! Nora, I am saved!
Nora. And I?
Helmer. You too, of course; we are both saved, both saved, bothyou and I. Look, he sends you your bond back. He says he regrets andrepents—that a happy change in his life—never mind what he says! Weare saved, Nora! No one can do anything to you. Oh, Nora, Nora!—no,first I must destroy these hateful things. Let me see—. (Takes alook at the bond.) No, no, I won't look at it. The whole thing shallbe nothing but a bad dream to me. (Tears up the bond and bothletters, throws them all into the stove, and watches them burn.)There—now it doesn't exist any longer. He says that since Christmas Eveyou—. These must have been three dreadful days for you, Nora.
Nora. I have fought a hard fight these three days.
Helmer. And suffered agonies, and seen no way out but—. No, wewon't call any of the horrors to mind. We will only shout with joy, andkeep saying, "It's all over! It's all over!" Listen to me, Nora. Youdon't seem to realise that it is all over. What is this?—such a cold,set face! My poor little Nora, I quite understand; you don't feel as ifyou could believe that I have forgiven you. But it is true, Nora, Iswear it; I have forgiven you everything. I know that what you did, youdid out of love for me.
Nora. That is true.
Helmer. You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband.Only you had not sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used.But do you suppose you are any the less dear to me, because you don'tunderstand how to act on your own responsibility? No, no; only lean onme; I will advise you and direct you. I should not be a man if thiswomanly helplessness did not just give you a double attractiveness in myeyes. You must not think any more about the hard things I said in myfirst moment of consternation, when I thought everything was going tooverwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I have forgivenyou.
Nora. Thank you for your forgiveness. (She goes out throughthe door to the right.)
Helmer. No, don't go—. (Looks in.) What are you doing inthere?
Nora (from within). Taking off my fancy dress.
Helmer (standing at the open door). Yes, do. Try and calmyourself, and make your mind easy again, my frightened littlesinging-bird. Be at rest, and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelteryou under. (Walks up and down by the door.) How warm and cosy ourhome is, Nora. Here is shelter for you; here I will protect you like ahunted dove that I have saved from a hawk's claws; I will bring peace toyour poor beating heart. It will come, little by little, Nora, believeme. To-morrow morning you will look upon it all quite differently; sooneverything will be just as it was before. Very soon you won't need me toassure you that I have forgiven you; you will yourself feel thecertainty that I have done so. Can you suppose I should ever think ofsuch a thing as repudiating you, or even reproaching you? You have noidea what a true man's heart is like, Nora. There is something soindescribably sweet and satisfying, to a man, in the knowledge that hehas forgiven his wife—forgiven her freely, and with all his heart. Itseems as if that had made her, as it were, doubly his own; he has givenher a new life, so to speak; and she is in a way become both wife andchild to him. So you shall be for me after this, my little scared,helpless darling. Have no anxiety about anything, Nora; only be frankand open with me, and I will serve as will and conscience both to you—.What is this? Not gone to bed? Have you changed your things?
Nora (in everyday dress). Yes, Torvald, I have changed mythings now.
Helmer. But what for?—so late as this.
Nora. I shall not sleep tonight.
Helmer. But, my dear Nora—
Nora (looking at her watch). It is not so very late. Sitdown here, Torvald. You and I have much to say to one another. (Shesits down at one side of the table.)
Helmer. Nora—what is this?—this cold, set face?
Nora. Sit down. It will take some time; I have a lot to talk overwith you.
Helmer (sits down at the opposite side of the table). Youalarm me, Nora!—and I don't understand you.
Nora. No, that is just it. You don't understand me, and I havenever understood you either—before tonight. No, you mustn't interruptme. You must simply listen to what I say. Torvald, this is a settling ofaccounts.
Helmer. What do you mean by that?
Nora (after a short silence). Isn't there one thing thatstrikes you as strange in our sitting here like this?
Helmer. What is that?
Nora. We have been married now eight years. Does it not occur toyou that this is the first time we two, you and I, husband and wife,have had a serious conversation?
Helmer. What do you mean by serious?
Nora. In all these eight years—longer than that—from the verybeginning of our acquaintance,we have never exchanged a word on any serious subject.
Helmer. Was it likely that I would be continually and forevertelling you about worries that you could not help me to bear?
Nora. I am not speaking about business matters. I say that wehave never sat down in earnest together to try and get at the bottom ofanything.
Helmer. But, dearest Nora, would it have been any good to you?
Nora. That is just it; you have never understood me. I have beengreatly wronged, Torvald—first by papa and then by you.
Helmer. What! By us two—by us two, who have loved you betterthan anyone else in in the world?
Nora (shaking her head). You have never loved me. You haveonly thought it pleasant to be in love with me.
Helmer. Nora, what do I hear you saying?
Nora. It is perfectly true, Torvald. When I was at home withpapa, he told me his opinion about everything, and so I had the sameopinions; and if I differed from him I concealed the fact, because hewould not have liked it. He called me his doll-child, and he played withme just as I used to play with my dolls. And when I came to live withyou—
Helmer. What sort of an expression is that to use about ourmarriage?
Nora (undisturbed). I mean that I was simplytransferred from papa's hands into yours. You arranged everythingaccording to your own taste, and so I got the same tastes as you—orelse I pretended to, I am really not quite sure which—I think sometimesthe one and sometimes the other. When I look back on it, it seems to meas if I had been living here like a poor woman—just from hand to mouth.I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you wouldhave it so. You and papa have committed a great sin against me. It isyour fault that I have made nothing of my life.
Helmer. How unreasonable and how ungrateful you are, Nora! Haveyou not been happy here?
Nora. No, I have never been happy. I thought I was, but it hasnever really been so.
Helmer. Not—not happy!
Nora. No, only merry. And you have always been so kind to me. Butour home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife,just as at home I was papa's doll-child; and here the children have beenmy dolls. I thought it great fun when you played with me, just as theythought it great fun when I played with them. That is what our marriagehas been, Torvald.
Helmer. There is some truth in what you say—exaggerated andstrained as your view of it is. But for the future it shall bedifferent. Playtime shall be over, and lesson-time shall begin.
Nora. Whose lessons? Mine, or the children's?
Helmer. Both yours and the children's, my darling Nora.
Nora. Alas, Torvald, you are not the man to educate me into beinga proper wife for you.
Helmer. And you can say that!
Nora. And I—how am I fitted to bring up the children?
Helmer. Nora!
Nora. Didn't you say so yourself a little while ago—that youdare not trust me to bring them up?
Helmer. In a moment of anger! Why do you pay any heed to that?
Nora. Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for thetask. There is another task I must undertake first. I must try andeducate myself—you are not the man to help me in that. I must do thatfor myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now.
Helmer (springing up). What do you say?
Nora. I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself andeverything about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with youany longer.
Helmer. Nora, Nora!
Nora. I am going away from here now, at once. I am sure Christinewill take me in for the night—
Helmer. You are out of your mind! I won't allow it! I forbid you!
Nora. It is no use forbidding me anything any longer. I will takewith me what belongs to myself. I will take nothing from you, either nowor later.
Helmer. What sort of madness is this!
Nora. Tomorrow I shall go home—I mean to my old home. It will beeasiest for me to find something to do there.
Helmer. You blind, foolish woman!
Nora. I must try and get some sense, Torvald.
Helmer. To desert your home, your husband and your children! Andyou don't consider what people will say!
Nora. I cannot consider that at all. I only know that it isnecessary for me.
Helmer. It's shocking. This is how you would neglect your mostsacred duties.
Nora. What do you consider my most sacred duties?
Helmer. Do I need to tell you that? Are they not your duties toyour husband and your children?
Nora. I have other duties just as sacred.
Helmer. That you have not. What duties could those be?
Nora. Duties to myself.
Helmer. Before all else, you are a wife and mother.
Nora. I don't believe that any longer. I believe that before allelse I am a reasonable human being, just as you are—or, at all events,that I must try and become one. I know quite well, Torvald, that mostpeople would think you right, and that views of that kind are to befound in books; but I can no longer content myself with what most peoplesay, or with what is found in books. I must think over things for myselfand get to understand them.
Helmer. Can you not understand your place in your own home? Haveyou not a reliable guide in such matters as that?—have you no religion?
Nora. I am afraid, Torvald, I do not exactly know what religion is.
Helmer. What are you saying?
Nora. I know nothing but what the clergyman said, when I went tobe confirmed. He told us that religion was this, and that, and theother. When I am away from all this, and am alone, I will look into thatmatter too. I will see if what the clergyman said is true, or at allevents if it is true for me.
Helmer. This is unheard of in a girl of your age! But if religioncannot lead you aright, let me try and awaken your conscience. I supposeyou have some moral sense? Or—answer me—am I to think you have none?
Nora. I assure you, Torvald, that is not an easy question toanswer. I really don't know. The thing perplexes me altogether. I onlyknow that you and I look at it in quite a differentlight. I am learning, too, that the law is quite another thing from whatI supposed; but I find it impossible to convince myself that the law isright. According to it a woman has no right to spare her old dyingfather, or to save her husband's life. I can't believe that.
Helmer. You talk like a child. You don't understand theconditions of the world in which you live.
Nora. No, I don't. But now I am going to try. I am going to seeif I can make out who is right, the world or I.
Helmer. You are ill, Nora; you are delirious; I almost think youare out of your mind.
Nora. I have never felt my mind so clear and certain as to-night.
Helmer. And is it with a clear and certain mind that you forsakeyour husband and your children?
Nora. Yes, it is.
Helmer. Then there is only one possible explanation.
Nora. What is that?
Helmer. You do not love me any more.
Nora. No, that is just it.
Helmer. Nora!—and you can say that?
Nora. It gives me great pain, Torvald, for you have always beenso kind to me, but I cannot help it. I do not love you any more.
Helmer (regaining his composure). Is that a clear andcertain conviction too?
Nora. Yes, absolutely clear and certain. That is the reason why Iwill not stay here any longer.
Helmer. And can you tell me what I have done to forfeit your love?
Nora. Yes, indeed I can. It was to-night, when the wonderfulthing did not happen; then I saw you were not the man I had thought you.
Helmer. Explain yourself better—I don't understand you.
Nora. I have waited so patiently for eight years; for, goodnessknows, I knew very well that wonderful things don't happen every day.Then this horrible misfortune came upon me; and then I felt quitecertain that the wonderful thing was going to happen at last. WhenKrogstad's letter was lying out there, never for a moment did I imaginethat you would consent to accept this man's conditions. I was soabsolutely certain that you would say to him: Publish the thing to thewhole world. And when that was done—
Helmer. Yes, what then?—when I had exposed my wife to shame anddisgrace?
Nora. When that was done, I was so absolutely certain, you wouldcome forward and take everything upon yourself, and say: I am the guiltyone.
Helmer. Nora—!
Nora. You mean that I would never have accepted such a sacrificeon your part? No, of course not. But what would my assurances have beenworth against yours? That was thewonderful thing which I hoped for and feared; and it was to preventthat, that I wanted to kill myself.
Helmer. I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora—bearsorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour forthe one he loves.
Nora. It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.
Helmer. Oh, you think and talk like a heedless child.
Nora. Maybe. But you neither think nor talk like the man I couldbind myself to. As soon as your fear was over—and it was not fear forwhat threatened me, but for what might happen to you—when the wholething was past, as far as you were concerned it was exactly as ifnothing at all had happened. Exactly as before, I was your littleskylark, your doll, which you would in future treat with doubly gentlecare, because it was so brittle and fragile. (Getting up.)Torvald—it was then it dawned upon me that for eight years I had beenliving here with a strange man, and had borne him three children—. Oh!I can't bear to think of it! I could tear myself into little bits!
Helmer (sadly). I see, I see. An abyss has opened betweenus—there is no denying it. But, Nora, would it not be possible to fillit up?
Nora. As I am now, I am no wife for you.
Helmer. I have it in me to become a different man.
Nora. Perhaps—if your doll is taken away from you.
Helmer. But to part!—to part from you! No, no, Nora, I can'tunderstand that idea.
Nora (going out to the right). That makes it all the morecertain that it must be done. (She comes back with her cloak and hatand a small bag which she puts on a chair by the table.)
Helmer. Nora, Nora, not now! Wait till tomorrow.
Nora (putting on her cloak). I cannot spend the night in astrange man's room.
Helmer. But can't we live here like brother and sister—?
Nora (putting on her hat). You know very well that wouldnot last long. (Puts the shawl round her.) Good-bye, Torvald. Iwon't see the little ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. AsI am now, I can be of no use to them.
Helmer. But some day, Nora—some day?
Nora. How can I tell? I have no idea what is going to become of me.
Helmer. But you are my wife, whatever becomes of you.
Nora. Listen, Torvald. I have heard that when a wife deserts herhusband's house, as I am doing now, he is legally freed from allobligations towards her. In any case I set you free from all yourobligations. You are not to feel yourself bound in the slightest way,anymore than I shall. There must be perfect freedom on both sides. See,here is your ring back. Give me mine.
Helmer. That too?
Nora. That too.
Helmer. Here it is.
Nora. That's right. Now it is all over. I have put the keys here.The maids know all about everything in the house—better than I do.Tomorrow, after I have left her, Christine will come here and pack up myown things that I brought with me from home. I will have them sent afterme.
Helmer. All over! All over!—Nora, shall you never think of me again?
Nora. I know I shall often think of you and the children and this house.
Helmer. May I write to you, Nora?
Nora. No—never. You must not do that.
Helmer. But at least let me send you—
Nora. Nothing—nothing—
Helmer. Let me help you if you are in want.
Nora. No. I can receive nothing from a stranger.
Helmer. Nora—can I never be anything more than a stranger to you?
Nora (taking her bag). Ah, Torvald, the most wonderfulthing of all would have to happen.
Helmer. Tell me what that would be!
Nora. Both you and I would have to be so changed that—. Oh,Torvald, I don't believe any longer in wonderful things happening.
Helmer. But I will believe in it. Tell me? So changed that—?
Nora. That our life together would be a real wedlock. Good-bye.(She goes out through the hall.)
Helmer (sinks down on a chair at the door and buries his facein his hands). Nora! Nora! (Looks round, and rises.) Empty.She is gone. (A hope flashes across his mind.) The most wonderfulthing of all—?
(The sound of a door shutting is heard from below.)
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