Assignment On The Christmas Tree

Task 1
1. (a) In act 2, the Christmas tree acts as a tool to depict time lapse in the play. When we
compare this tree with the Christmas tree which was depicted in Act one, we find that
tree in the second act depicts the chaotic mindset of Nora. The decoration on the tree
shows that she is heading towards pessimism and things are out of control for her.
(b) The Christmas tree in the second act of the play is indicating towards a disaster that is
on the cards for Nora. It symbolizes the cyclic nature of the events that are taking place in
the life of Nora, during the act 2, Nora passes through a phase where she first realizes that
she is weak enough to commit suicide and strong enough to enjoy few moments amidst
the crisis that she is into. The Christmas tree foreshadows the uncertainties in the life of
Nora, it symbolizes that life is full of uncertainties but the festivity makes it worth living.
2. Kristine was under the suspicion that Dr. Rank has given a loan to Nora. She was suspicious
that since Dr. Rank is a good friend of Nora and visits her regularly, it is a possibility that Nora
might have asked for a friendly loan from him because he is a “man of means.”
3. The second act of the play is full of instances where Nora tries to hide the letter written by
Krogstad from her husband, she takes the support of Dr. Rank and Kristine in the task. Nora’s
desperation to distract Mr. Helmer can be seen in her dance when Mr. Helmer remarks that Nora
is dancing in such a way as if her entire life is dependent on it. Finally, Nora forbade Helmer to
open the mailbox because she doesn’t want anything horrid to come between them. The last part
of the second act signifies a game of hiding and seeks between two lovers, the husband is
anticipating a pleasant surprise whereas the wife is trying to save him from an unpleasant
revelation.

4. In act 2 of the play, we discover that Dr. Rank is suffering from tuberculosis and it can
become precarious for him. He also confesses that he is in one-sided love with Nora. We also
discover his love for seafood and his desire to be remembered as a noble and healthy man rather
than an ill man struggling with life. This act explains the simplicity of this character, his love for
Nora is complex because he is in love with a married woman. However, his expression of love is
simple and honest. At points, it also looks as if he has become a victim of the flirtatious
advances of Nora.
5.
Character Evaluation with the relationship with Nora Textual Evidence
Torvald Helmer He is protective of Nora and shares a love
bond with her where paternalistic feelings
guide him. However, he is aware of the fact
that sometimes Nora can hide a few facts
from him because deep down she is
insecure and sometimes she can act
childishly. He is aware that Nora has a
secretive side attached to her but she is a
noble soul and she doesn’t believe in paying
serious harm to anyone.
The paternalistic feelings of
Helmer can be witnessed in
the last dialogue of act 2 when
Helmer says “Where is my
little skylark.”
Helmer is aware of the
secretive nature of Nora, it can
be seen in the dialogue where
he says
“You are dancing as if your
life is dependent on it.” The
dialogue is ambiguous, apart
from appreciating the dance
moves, Helmer also indicates

towards the fact that he is
aware that Nora is trying to
hide something from him.
Dr. Rank Nora shares a flirtatious but platonic
relationship with him. She acknowledges
his love for her and respects his feelings
from the core of her heart. Dr. Rank is
happy with this status of being a “one-sided
lover” of Nora and admires her
Nora says “ I shall dance and
you can imagine, I am doing it
all for you .” This statement
shows that Nora shares a
flirtatious relationship with
Dr. Rank, after saying these
lines she shows him the silk
stockings that she is going to
wear, it also testifies the
flirtatious attitude of Nora
towards Dr. Rank, sometimes
Nora wants to act as a
temptress with him.
When Dr. Rank says “To have
loved you as much as anyone
else.” He confesses and
reaffirms his love for Nora.
When Dr. Rank offers his help