The ‘New Woman’ and Victorian Marriage

• "What's this? Is little squirrel sulking? (he takes out his purse) Nora; guess what I've got here?"

  "(Nora turns quickly) Money!"


  Act 1, when Nora is sulking after being denied being able to spend frivolously during the Christmas season. In order to get Nora to be receptive to him once again, he gives her money.
• "Well, I suppose I must take you as you are. It's in your blood. Yes, yes, yes, these things are hereditary, Nora. 


  Act 1, Torvald speaks about Nora as though she's an object that has been passed, second-hand, to him from Nora's father.
• "I passed from papa's hands into yours... I've been your doll-wife, just as I was papa's doll-child."


  Act 3, Nora describing the nature of her relationship with Torvald.
• "I feel the same about Torvald as I did about papa."


  Act 2, Nora explaining to Dr. Rank about how the men in her life such as Torvald and her father interact with her through the context of patriarchy, as her love for them is simultaneously the shackle that ties her down.
• "It means she has become his property in a double sense; he has, as it were, brought her into the world anew; she is now not only his wife but also his child."


  Act 3, Torvald describing the wonderful benefits that come with being able to forgive Nora for her act of forgery.
• "I performed tricks for you, and you gave me food and drink... It's your fault I have done nothing with my life."


  Act 3, as Nora explains to Torvald how the economic shackle placed on her necessitated her performance of femininity.
• "The squanderbird's a pretty little creature, but she gets through an awful lot of money. It's incredible what an expensive pet she is for a man to keep."


  Act 1, as Torvald banters with Nora about how she keeps on asking for money (following her asking for money from her husband as a Christmas present).