Question

Read the excerpt from act 2 of A Doll's House.

Nurse: What, out again? In this horrible weather? You will catch cold, ma'am, and make yourself ill.

Nora: Well, worse than that might happen. How are the children?

Nurse: The poor little souls are playing with their Christmas presents, but—

Nora: Do they ask much for me?

Nurse: You see, they are so accustomed to have their mamma with them.

Nora: Yes, but, nurse, I shall not be able to be so much with them now as I was before.

Nurse: Oh well, young children easily get accustomed to anything.

Nora: Do you think so? Do you think they would forget their mother if she went away altogether?

Nurse: Good heavens!—went away altogether?

How does the interaction between the nurse and Nora advance the plot?

It reveals that the nurse would make a better mother than Nora.
It conveys that Nora does not trust what the nurse says.
It demonstrates that Nora is considering leaving her children.
It shows that Nora’s children would be OK without her.

Answer 1

It demonstrates that Nora is considering leaving her children.

Explanation: Nora’s questions about whether the children would forget their mother and her remark that she won’t be able to be with them as much as before reveal she’s thinking about separation. The nurse’s shock underscores how radical and plot-significant the idea is, foreshadowing Nora’s ultimate decision.