How does Ibsen use dramatic irony…

English Questions

How does Ibsen use dramatic irony to create suspense in the excerpt from Act 2 of A Doll’s House? Consider the dynamics between Nora, the nurse, and the audience’s knowledge of the situation.

Answer

Ibsen leverages dramatic irony to heighten suspense in this passage by revealing crucial information that Nora herself is unaware of. The audience understands that “the nurse does not know that Nora will leave her children, but the audience does.” This awareness creates tension, as Nora converses with the nurse, oblivious to the future implications of her choices. For example, while Nora expresses affection based on her misunderstanding of their relationship, the audience knows the nurse was her only mother, which deepens the scene. This disparity in knowledge amplifies the suspense, making the audience more engaged and invested in the narrative as they anticipate the consequences of Nora’s decisions that she has yet to grasp.

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