Question

read the passage from a dolls house.
nora: hide the christmas tree carefully, helen. be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. to the porter, taking out her purse. how much?
porter: sixpence
nora: there is a shilling. no, keep the change. the porter thanks her, and goes out. nora shuts the door. she is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. she takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two, then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens. yes, he is in. still humming, she goes to the table on the right.
what do the stage directions tell the reader about nora?
○ they show how much money nora gives to the porter.
○ they give important background details about nora’s life.
○ they show nora’s mood and her approach to her husband.
○ they show how nora wants to hide the christmas tree.

Explanation:

To determine the answer, analyze each option:

• Option 1: The stage directions don't focus on money given to the porter (the dialogue does, but stage directions are about actions/mood). Eliminate.
• Option 2: Stage directions (e.g., "laughing to herself", "takes a packet...", "listens", "humming") reveal her secretive, playful mood and actions (like hiding macaroons, sneaking around), giving background on her behavior/life. This fits.
• Option 3: The stage directions don't relate to her approach to her husband (they show her actions, not her interaction approach). Eliminate.
• Option 4: The stage directions after hiding the tree are about her eating macaroons, listening at the door, etc.—not about hiding the tree (the dialogue tells her to hide it). Eliminate.

Answer:

They give important background details about Nora’s life.