Question

Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House. Helmer: Do you know, you ought to embroider. Mrs. Linde: Really? Why? Helmer: Yes, it's far more becoming. Let me show you. You hold the embroidery thus in your left hand, and use the needle with the right—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 anything but ungraceful; look here—the arms close together, the knitting-needles going up and down—it has a sort of Chinese effect—. That was really excellent champagne they gave us. Mrs. Linde: Well,—goodnight, Nora, and don't be self-willed any more. Helmer: That's right, Mrs. Linde. Mrs. Linde. Goodnight, Mr. Helmer. Helmer [accompanying her to the door]: Goodnight, goodnight. I hope you will get home all right. I should be very happy to—but you haven't any great distance to go. Goodnight, goodnight. [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, that woman. How does the conflict between Helmer’s private and public selves develop the theme that appearances can be deceiving? Helmer attempts to impress Mrs. Linde in a discreet way due to his hidden feelings for her. Helmer tries to be polite to Mrs. Linde despite the hurt that he is feeling inside. Helmer acts kindly toward Mrs. Linde while she is present, but insults her when she leaves. Helmer rushes Mrs. Linde out the door due to his anxiety about being in social situations.

Answer 1

The correct answer is "Helmer acts kindly towards Mrs. Linde while she is present, but insults her when she leaves".

In this excerpt we can observe very clearly the development of the conflict between Helmer's public presentation and the feelings he's hiding, which reveal themselves in his private life. Helmer's attitude towards Mrs. Linde is kind and warm when they interact, but once she's not present we learn that Helmer has a deep hatred towards her. This is a very clear case in which appearences are deceiving, as Helmer is acting the opposite way of what he truly feels towards Mrs. Linde.

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