Question

read the passage from a doll’s house.
helmer: calls out from his room. is that my little lark twittering out there?
nora: busy opening some of the parcels. yes, it is!
helmer: is it my little squirrel bustling about?
nora: yes!
helmer: when did my squirrel come home?
nora: just now. puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth. come in here, torvald, and see what i have bought.
helmer: don’t disturb me. a little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand. bought, did you say? all these things? has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
nora: yes but, torvald, this year we really can let
how do the stage directions in brackets affect the meaning of the text?
○ they tell the reader that torvald opens his door only when he realizes that nora has spent money.
○ they tell the reader that torvald uses pet names for nora and treats her like a child.
○ they show the reader that torvald thinks that nora bought too much.
○ they show the reader that torvald prefers his pets over his wife.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• First option: Stage directions don't show door - opening condition related to money - spending realization. Eliminate.
• Second option: Torvald calls Nora “lark”, “squirrel”, “spendthrift” (child - like terms), and stage directions show his interactions. This fits as pet names imply treating her like a child.
• Third option: Stage directions don't show he thinks she bought too much (his dialogue does, but not directions). Eliminate.
• Fourth option: No indication he prefers pets over wife. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. They tell the reader that Torvald uses pet names for Nora and treats her like a child.