Question

read the excerpt from act 1 of a dolls house.
mrs. linde: yes, but your father gave you the
necessary funds.
nora: (smiling) yes, that is what torvald and all the
others think, but -
mrs. linde: but -
nora: papa didnt give us a shilling. it was i who
procured the money.
mrs. linde: you? all that large sum?
nora: two hundred and fifty pounds. what do you
think of that?
mrs. linde: but, nora, how could you possibly do it?
did you win a prize in the lottery?
nora: contemptuously in the lottery? there would
how does this excerpt best develop the theme that
society places limits on the roles of women?
as a woman, nora is supposed to do whatever it
takes to save her husband, but she cannot act alone.
as a woman, nora cannot borrow money, but she
does so behind her husbands back in order to save
him.
as a woman, nora cannot discuss money with men,
so she does not reveal her actions to her husband.
as a woman, nora is supposed to be flawless, so
she must hide from her husband any mistake she
makes.

Explanation:

In the excerpt, Nora's situation reflects societal limitations. In the context of the play's time, women had restricted financial roles. Nora's act of borrowing money (a male - dominated domain) behind her husband's back shows how society (represented by the assumption that her father gave the money) limited women's roles. It wasn't just about the inability to act alone (Option A is too vague as it doesn't specifically target the money - borrowing aspect). Option C's claim that women can't discuss money with men is not the main focus here. Option D's "flawless" aspect is not relevant to the money - borrowing theme. Option B directly addresses the financial limitation (women couldn't borrow money in that society) and Nora's subversive act.

Answer:

B. As a woman, Nora cannot borrow money, but she does so behind her husband’s back in order to save him.