Question

read the excerpt from act 3 of a dolls house. mrs. linde looking at her watch: not yet—and the time is nearly up. if only he does not—. listens again. ah, there he is. goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. light footsteps are heard on the stairs. she whispers. come in. there is no one here. krogstad in the doorway: i found a note from you at home. what does this mean? mrs. linde: it is absolutely necessary that i should have a talk with you. krogstad: really? and is it absolutely necessary that i should be here? mrs. linde: it is impossible where i live; there is no private entrance to my rooms. come in; we are quite alone. the maid is asleep, and the helmers are at the dance upstairs. which statement best explains how the conventions of plot and setting contribute to the theme? the use of letters and secret meetings develops the theme that hiding the truth will eventually lead to hardship. the use of questions develops the theme that the truth can be discovered only by asking the right questions. the use of doorways develops the theme that being too open about the truth can cause conflict and heartache. the use of conversations beginning abruptly develops the theme that getting to the point will always reveal the truth.

Explanation:

In the excerpt, Mrs. Linde and Krogstad have a secret meeting. Letters and secret meetings are used. Hiding the truth (as they are having a secretive interaction) is a key element. The theme of hiding the truth leading to hardship is relevant as such secretive behavior (letters, secret meetings) implies hidden truths which often have consequences (hardship). The other options:

• The use of questions in the text is not the main device for the theme. The questions are just part of the dialogue, not the core way the theme is developed.
• Doorways are just a setting detail, not the main contributor to the theme.
• Conversations beginning abruptly is a minor aspect and not the main way the theme is developed.

Answer:

The use of letters and secret meetings develops the theme that hiding the truth will eventually lead to hardship.