Q4 (a)

HELMER (at the open door). Yes. Good. Be calm, be calm, my frightened little bird. Nothing will hurt you; I’ll spread my wings, I’ll shelter you. (pacing by the door.) It’s warm and cosy, our nest, our home. Nothing will hurt you. Poor frightened dove, I’ll save you from the hawk, I’ll keep you safe. Still, little fluttering heart, be still. It’ll be all right. Darling, you’ll see. Tomorrow . . . it’ll all be like it was before. You’ll soon understand, I won’t need to remind you I’ve forgiven you. I’ll never abandon you, never blame you – how can you think so? A husband’s love, darling – a true husband’s heart, how can you understand it? How sweet, how satisfying, to feel that he’s forgiven his wife, from the depths of his being, forgiven her? Made her twice his own: given her life, identity, his wife, his child. That’s what you are to me now, poor, helpless little darling. Don’t ever be frightened, Nora. Tell me the truth, and your will, your conscience – leave both to me. But what – ? Not going to bed? You’ve changed.

In what ways does this excerpt reflect the concerns and aesthetic qualities of Ibsen’s play?
In your response, make close reference to the excerpt and to your prescribed text.