Question

read the excerpt from act 2 of a dolls house. 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 peaceful 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 the 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 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.

Explanation:

Helmer refuses to keep Krogstad at the bank specifically because Nora interceded for him. He worries about looking ridiculous to his staff and being seen as a man swayed by outside influences, which directly refers to not wanting others to think he is influenced by his wife. The other options are not supported: there is no mention of a new job with no interaction, no indication he likes Krogstad, and no reference to a past friendship Nora doesn't know about.

Answer:

Helmer's self-esteem is dependent on people believing that he is not influenced by his wife.