Read the passage from A Doll’s House . 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 economize. How do the stage directions in brackets affect the meaning of the text?
Answer
A
They tell the reader that Torvald opens his door only when he realizes that Nora has spent money.
B
They show the reader that Torvald prefers his pets over his wife.
C
They tell the reader that Torvald uses pet names for Nora and treats her like a child.
D
They show the reader that Torvald thinks that Nora bought too much.
Explanation
The bracketed directions show that Torvald first calls to Nora from his room, then opens the door later, after hearing her say she has bought things. This suggests he comes to look when he realizes she has been shopping. The pet names in the dialogue, rather than the stage directions, show his patronizing way of addressing her, so choice C does not answer the question.
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