Nora: You never can tell what mischief these men may contrive. We ought to be so well off, so snug and happy here in our peacefu
l home, and have no cares—you and I and the children, Torvald! That is why I beg you so earnestly— Helmer: And it is just by interceding for him that you make it impossible for me to keep him. It is already known at the Bank that I mean to dismiss Krogstad. Is it to get about now that the new manager has changed his mind at his wife's bidding— Nora: And what if it did? Helmer: Of course!—if only this obstinate little person can get her way! Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence? I should very soon feel the consequences of it, I can tell you! And besides, there is one thing that makes it quite impossible for me to have Krogstad in the Bank as long as I am manager. Nora: Whatever is that? Helmer: His moral failings I might perhaps have overlooked, if necessary— Nora: Yes, you could—couldn't you? Helmer: And I hear he is a good worker, too. But I knew him when we were boys. It was one of those rash friendships that so often prove an incubus in afterlife. I may as well tell you plainly, we were once on very intimate terms with one another. But this tactless fellow lays no restraint on himself when other people are present. On the contrary, he thinks it gives him the right to adopt a familiar tone with me, and every minute it is "I say, Helmer, old fellow!" and that sort of thing. I assure you it is extremely painful for me. He would make my position in the Bank intolerable. What inference does the text best support?
Helmer is going to give Krogstad a job where the two men will not have interactions.
Helmer's self-esteem is dependent on people believing that he is not influenced by his wife.
Helmer actually likes Krogstad as a friend but does not want to work with him.
Helmer does not want his wife to know that he used to be friends with Krogstad.
The answer is B. Helmer's self-esteem is dependent on people believing that he is not influenced by his wife.
In the excerpt, Helmer explains Nora that if she interferes in his decision of firing Krogstad it would compromise his whole staff's image about him, as if he was a man who lacks authority, influenced by his wife, who would have to cope with a co-work whom he does not tolerate anymore.
