Question
Directions: Refer to your annotated text from today’s lesson and answer the questions that follow.
A Doll’s House
By Henrik Ibsen
Retrieved from © Savvas myPerspectives English I-IV. Used with permission.
[...]
[147] Mrs Linde: Well, I had to turn my hand to anything I could find--first a small shop, then a small school,
and so on. The last three years have seemed like one long working-day, with no rest. Now it is at an end,
Nora. My poor mother needs me no more, for she is gone; and the boys do not need me either; they have
got situations and can shift for themselves.
[148] Nora: What a relief you must feel if--
[149] Mrs Linde: No, indeed; I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No one to live for anymore. [Gets up
restlessly.] That was why I could not stand the life in my little backwater any longer. I hope it may be easier
here to find something which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luck to get
some regular work--office work of some kind--
[150] Nora: But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out now. You had far better go away
to some watering-place.
[151] Mrs Linde: [walking to the window]. I have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora.
[152] Nora: [rising]. Oh, don't be angry with me!
[153] Mrs Linde: [going up to her]. It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. The worst of a position like
mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to work for, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for
chances. One must live, and so one becomes selfish. When you told me of the happy turn your fortunes
have taken--you will hardly believe it--I was delighted not so much on your account as on my own.
Courage by Anne Sexton
Retrieved from © Savvas myPerspectives English I-IV.. Used with permission.
[...]
40 your courage will still be shown in the little ways,
45
each spring will be a sword you’ll sharpen,
those you love will live in a fever of love,
and you’ll bargain with the calendar
and at the last moment
when death opens the back door
you’ll put on your carpet slippers
and stride out.
1 What is the main reason Mrs. Linde feels her life is "unspeakably empty" in "A Doll's House"?
A. She has no one to live for anymore.
B. She lost her job and is struggling financially.
C. Her mother and brothers are still dependent on her.
D. She is tired from working so hard.
2 What is the similarity between "A Doll’s House" and "Courage"?
A. Both texts focus on romantic love.
B. Both characters must overcome personal hardships.
C. Both texts explore the theme of revenge.
D. Both characters have children they care for deeply.
3 Both the play "A Doll’s House" and the poem "Courage" develop the idea that - Select TWO
correct answers.
financial security is the key to happiness.
true courage is found in making sacrifices for others.
personal strength is needed to face life’s challenges.
people are shaped by societal expectations.
family obligations prevent individual growth.
4 Read line 45 from the poem.
when death opens the back door you’ll put on your carpet slippers and stride out.
Which of Mrs. Linde's attitudes in "A Doll's House" most closely reflects the resilient spirit
expressed in this line?
A. Her determination to find new purpose despite feeling empty
B. Her resignation to a life without anyone to care for
C. Her resentment towards those with better fortunes
D. Her desire to escape to a watering-place for rest
5 How are Mrs. Linde in the play and the speaker in the poem similar?
A. Both feel a sense of emptiness and loss at the end of their lives.
B. Both have lived through great struggles but continue to seek purpose.
C. Both characters reflect on the importance of financial security.
D. Both rely on others to give them meaning and direction.
6 What is the most likely reason the poet wrote "Courage"?
A. To reflect on personal struggles and how they shape a person's strength.
B. To criticize societal expectations placed on individuals.
C. To inspire people to seek wealth and success.
D. To entertain readers with a lighthearted story of overcoming challenges.
© Houston ISD Curriculum Design 2024-2025 2
7 In "A Doll's House", what is the best example of irony based on the given excerpt?
A. Mrs. Linde's statement that she feels "unspeakably empty" after finally being free from family
obligations.
B. Nora's suggestion that Mrs. Linde should rest at a watering-place, unaware of her financial
situation.
C. Mrs. Linde's admission that she was delighted about Nora's good fortune mainly for her own
sake.
D. Nora's rising in response to Mrs. Linde's comment about not having money for a journey.
8 What does line 149 in the play reveal about the character Mrs. Linde? Select TWO correct
answers.
She is deeply saddened by her mother’s death.
She finds fulfillment in her independence.
She struggles with a lack of purpose after years of sacrifice.
She seeks new purpose through finding work.
She blames society for her hardships.
9 How does the absence of a regular rhyme scheme in "Courage" affect the development of the
poem's theme, especially when compared to the structure of "A Doll's House"?
A. It creates a sense of freedom and individuality, reinforcing the theme of personal courage.
B. It mirrors the structured and controlled lives of the characters in the play.
C. It weakens the impact of the message by making the poem harder to follow.
D. It creates a formal tone that contrasts with the characters' emotional struggles.
10 In both "A Doll’s House" and "Courage", the characters face significant emotional challenges.
What inference can the reader make about how the characters’ struggles shape their
understanding of themselves and the world around them? Use evidence from both texts to
support your answer.
A Doll’s House
By Henrik Ibsen
Retrieved from © Savvas myPerspectives English I-IV. Used with permission.
[...]
[147] Mrs Linde: Well, I had to turn my hand to anything I could find--first a small shop, then a small school,
and so on. The last three years have seemed like one long working-day, with no rest. Now it is at an end,
Nora. My poor mother needs me no more, for she is gone; and the boys do not need me either; they have
got situations and can shift for themselves.
[148] Nora: What a relief you must feel if--
[149] Mrs Linde: No, indeed; I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No one to live for anymore. [Gets up
restlessly.] That was why I could not stand the life in my little backwater any longer. I hope it may be easier
here to find something which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luck to get
some regular work--office work of some kind--
[150] Nora: But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out now. You had far better go away
to some watering-place.
[151] Mrs Linde: [walking to the window]. I have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora.
[152] Nora: [rising]. Oh, don't be angry with me!
[153] Mrs Linde: [going up to her]. It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. The worst of a position like
mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to work for, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for
chances. One must live, and so one becomes selfish. When you told me of the happy turn your fortunes
have taken--you will hardly believe it--I was delighted not so much on your account as on my own.
Courage by Anne Sexton
Retrieved from © Savvas myPerspectives English I-IV.. Used with permission.
[...]
40 your courage will still be shown in the little ways,
45
each spring will be a sword you’ll sharpen,
those you love will live in a fever of love,
and you’ll bargain with the calendar
and at the last moment
when death opens the back door
you’ll put on your carpet slippers
and stride out.
1 What is the main reason Mrs. Linde feels her life is "unspeakably empty" in "A Doll's House"?
A. She has no one to live for anymore.
B. She lost her job and is struggling financially.
C. Her mother and brothers are still dependent on her.
D. She is tired from working so hard.
2 What is the similarity between "A Doll’s House" and "Courage"?
A. Both texts focus on romantic love.
B. Both characters must overcome personal hardships.
C. Both texts explore the theme of revenge.
D. Both characters have children they care for deeply.
3 Both the play "A Doll’s House" and the poem "Courage" develop the idea that - Select TWO
correct answers.
financial security is the key to happiness.
true courage is found in making sacrifices for others.
personal strength is needed to face life’s challenges.
people are shaped by societal expectations.
family obligations prevent individual growth.
4 Read line 45 from the poem.
when death opens the back door you’ll put on your carpet slippers and stride out.
Which of Mrs. Linde's attitudes in "A Doll's House" most closely reflects the resilient spirit
expressed in this line?
A. Her determination to find new purpose despite feeling empty
B. Her resignation to a life without anyone to care for
C. Her resentment towards those with better fortunes
D. Her desire to escape to a watering-place for rest
5 How are Mrs. Linde in the play and the speaker in the poem similar?
A. Both feel a sense of emptiness and loss at the end of their lives.
B. Both have lived through great struggles but continue to seek purpose.
C. Both characters reflect on the importance of financial security.
D. Both rely on others to give them meaning and direction.
6 What is the most likely reason the poet wrote "Courage"?
A. To reflect on personal struggles and how they shape a person's strength.
B. To criticize societal expectations placed on individuals.
C. To inspire people to seek wealth and success.
D. To entertain readers with a lighthearted story of overcoming challenges.
© Houston ISD Curriculum Design 2024-2025 2
7 In "A Doll's House", what is the best example of irony based on the given excerpt?
A. Mrs. Linde's statement that she feels "unspeakably empty" after finally being free from family
obligations.
B. Nora's suggestion that Mrs. Linde should rest at a watering-place, unaware of her financial
situation.
C. Mrs. Linde's admission that she was delighted about Nora's good fortune mainly for her own
sake.
D. Nora's rising in response to Mrs. Linde's comment about not having money for a journey.
8 What does line 149 in the play reveal about the character Mrs. Linde? Select TWO correct
answers.
She is deeply saddened by her mother’s death.
She finds fulfillment in her independence.
She struggles with a lack of purpose after years of sacrifice.
She seeks new purpose through finding work.
She blames society for her hardships.
9 How does the absence of a regular rhyme scheme in "Courage" affect the development of the
poem's theme, especially when compared to the structure of "A Doll's House"?
A. It creates a sense of freedom and individuality, reinforcing the theme of personal courage.
B. It mirrors the structured and controlled lives of the characters in the play.
C. It weakens the impact of the message by making the poem harder to follow.
D. It creates a formal tone that contrasts with the characters' emotional struggles.
10 In both "A Doll’s House" and "Courage", the characters face significant emotional challenges.
What inference can the reader make about how the characters’ struggles shape their
understanding of themselves and the world around them? Use evidence from both texts to
support your answer.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Here are the answers to your questions based on the provided excerpts from "A Doll's House" and the poem "Courage":
1. **What is the main reason Mrs. Linde feels her life is "unspeakably empty" in "A Doll's House"?**
**Answer:** A. She has no one to live for anymore.
*(Mrs. Linde expresses feelings of emptiness because she has lost her mother and her brothers are independent, leaving her without purpose.)*
2. **What is the similarity between "A Doll’s House" and "Courage"?**
**Answer:** B. Both characters must overcome personal hardships.
*(In both texts, characters deal with significant struggles that shape their lives and perspectives.)*
3. **Both the play "A Doll’s House" and the poem "Courage" develop the idea that - Select TWO correct answers.**
**Answers:**
- personal strength is needed to face life’s challenges.
- true courage is found in making sacrifices for others.
*(Both texts show characters facing difficulties while also highlighting the importance of personal strength and the courage to sacrifice.)*
4. **Which of Mrs. Linde's attitudes in "A Doll's House" most closely reflects the resilient spirit expressed in this line?**
**Answer:** A. Her determination to find new purpose despite feeling empty.
*(Mrs. Linde expresses a desire to find work and purpose, which aligns with the resilience in the line from "Courage.")*
5. **How are Mrs. Linde in the play and the speaker in the poem similar?**
**Answer:** B. Both have lived through great struggles but continue to seek purpose.
*(Both characters face challenges and feel a lack of fulfillment, yet they strive for a sense of direction and purpose in their lives.)*
6. **What is the most likely reason the poet wrote "Courage"?**
**Answer:** A. To reflect on personal struggles and how they shape a person's strength.
*(The poem emphasizes the importance of facing challenges with courage and resilience.)*
7. **What is the best example of irony based on the given excerpt in "A Doll's House"?**
**Answer:** A. Mrs. Linde's statement that she feels "unspeakably empty" after finally being free from family obligations.
*(Her feeling of emptiness despite being freed from responsibilities is situational irony.)*
8. **What does line 149 in the play reveal about the character Mrs. Linde? Select TWO correct answers.**
**Answers:**
- She is deeply saddened by her mother’s death.
- She struggles with a lack of purpose after years of sacrifice.
*(Mrs. Linde’s comments reflect her sorrow and the void left by her mother's death.)*
9. **How does the absence of a regular rhyme scheme in "Courage" affect the development of the poem's theme, especially when compared to the structure of "A Doll's House"?**
**Answer:** A. It creates a sense of freedom and individuality, reinforcing the theme of personal courage.
*(The free-form structure allows for more personal expression, contrasting with the more structured nature of the play.)*
10. **What inference can the reader make about how the characters’ struggles shape their understanding of themselves and the world around them? Use evidence from both texts to support your answer.**
**Answer:**
The struggles faced by characters in both texts enhance their understanding of their identities and the limitations imposed by society and circumstances. In "A Doll's House," Mrs. Linde feels empty after fulfilling her obligations to her family, which leads her to seek new purpose through work, illustrating how the absence of familial responsibility offers her a chance for self-discovery. In "Courage," the speaker’s acknowledgment of the inevitability of death and their determination to continue living fully signifies a deep understanding of courage and the human experience. Both texts highlight that personal struggles, whether from societal expectations or personal loss, serve as a catalyst for self-awareness and growth, inspiring resilience in the face of adversity.
1. **What is the main reason Mrs. Linde feels her life is "unspeakably empty" in "A Doll's House"?**
**Answer:** A. She has no one to live for anymore.
*(Mrs. Linde expresses feelings of emptiness because she has lost her mother and her brothers are independent, leaving her without purpose.)*
2. **What is the similarity between "A Doll’s House" and "Courage"?**
**Answer:** B. Both characters must overcome personal hardships.
*(In both texts, characters deal with significant struggles that shape their lives and perspectives.)*
3. **Both the play "A Doll’s House" and the poem "Courage" develop the idea that - Select TWO correct answers.**
**Answers:**
- personal strength is needed to face life’s challenges.
- true courage is found in making sacrifices for others.
*(Both texts show characters facing difficulties while also highlighting the importance of personal strength and the courage to sacrifice.)*
4. **Which of Mrs. Linde's attitudes in "A Doll's House" most closely reflects the resilient spirit expressed in this line?**
**Answer:** A. Her determination to find new purpose despite feeling empty.
*(Mrs. Linde expresses a desire to find work and purpose, which aligns with the resilience in the line from "Courage.")*
5. **How are Mrs. Linde in the play and the speaker in the poem similar?**
**Answer:** B. Both have lived through great struggles but continue to seek purpose.
*(Both characters face challenges and feel a lack of fulfillment, yet they strive for a sense of direction and purpose in their lives.)*
6. **What is the most likely reason the poet wrote "Courage"?**
**Answer:** A. To reflect on personal struggles and how they shape a person's strength.
*(The poem emphasizes the importance of facing challenges with courage and resilience.)*
7. **What is the best example of irony based on the given excerpt in "A Doll's House"?**
**Answer:** A. Mrs. Linde's statement that she feels "unspeakably empty" after finally being free from family obligations.
*(Her feeling of emptiness despite being freed from responsibilities is situational irony.)*
8. **What does line 149 in the play reveal about the character Mrs. Linde? Select TWO correct answers.**
**Answers:**
- She is deeply saddened by her mother’s death.
- She struggles with a lack of purpose after years of sacrifice.
*(Mrs. Linde’s comments reflect her sorrow and the void left by her mother's death.)*
9. **How does the absence of a regular rhyme scheme in "Courage" affect the development of the poem's theme, especially when compared to the structure of "A Doll's House"?**
**Answer:** A. It creates a sense of freedom and individuality, reinforcing the theme of personal courage.
*(The free-form structure allows for more personal expression, contrasting with the more structured nature of the play.)*
10. **What inference can the reader make about how the characters’ struggles shape their understanding of themselves and the world around them? Use evidence from both texts to support your answer.**
**Answer:**
The struggles faced by characters in both texts enhance their understanding of their identities and the limitations imposed by society and circumstances. In "A Doll's House," Mrs. Linde feels empty after fulfilling her obligations to her family, which leads her to seek new purpose through work, illustrating how the absence of familial responsibility offers her a chance for self-discovery. In "Courage," the speaker’s acknowledgment of the inevitability of death and their determination to continue living fully signifies a deep understanding of courage and the human experience. Both texts highlight that personal struggles, whether from societal expectations or personal loss, serve as a catalyst for self-awareness and growth, inspiring resilience in the face of adversity.