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A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen Main Characters: Nora Helmer – A young, cheerful housewife Torvald Helmer – Nora’s husband, a banker Krogstad – A man who works at the bank Mrs. Linde – Nora’s old friend Dr. Rank – A friend of the Helmers, who is seriously ill Act 1: Nora Helmer is a happy wife who loves her husband and children. Her husband, Torvald, is about to start a new job as a bank manager. He treats Nora like a little child or a doll, not as an equal. Nora has a secret—years ago, she took a loan to save Torvald’s life when he was sick. But she forged her father’s signature to get that money. Now, the man who gave her the loan, Krogstad, works at Torvald’s bank. He is worried about losing his job and blackmails Nora—he says he will tell Torvald her secret if she doesn’t help him keep his job. Act 2: Nora becomes very nervous. She tries to convince Torvald to let Krogstad keep his job, but Torvald refuses. He says Krogstad has a bad reputation and he doesn...

ACT I –  Setting : A lawyer’s office in London, July morning. Summary : William Falder, a young clerk, is secretly helping Ruth Honeywill, a woman suffering from her abusive husband. Ruth comes to the office, desperate. Falder promises to help her and plans to run away with her and her children. To get money, Falder forges a cheque by adding a zero (£9 becomes £90). The forgery is discovered, and Falder is caught. He admits he did it but says it was out of love and desperation. The office boss, James How, decides to call the police. Falder is arrested, even though some people feel sorry for him. ACT II –  Setting : A courtroom, three months later (October). Summary : Falder is on trial for forgery. His lawyer, Frome, argues that Falder was temporarily insane—too emotional and scared to think clearly. Cokeson, Falder’s manager, says he was acting strange on the day of the crime. Ruth gives emotional evidence. She explains how her husband hurt her and how Falder was ...

Act I –  The play begins in the home of Roebuck Ramsden , an older man who considers himself a wise, moral person. Ramsden learns that a friend, Mr. Whitefield , has died and made John Tanner (a rebellious young thinker) one of the guardians of his daughter, Ann Whitefield . Ramsden doesn’t like Tanner. He thinks Tanner is dangerous because of his radical ideas. Ann, however, likes Tanner—and not just as a guardian. She’s clever and determined. Secretly, she wants to marry him. Tanner is shocked to be her guardian and suspects Ann is planning something, but he doesn’t yet realize she wants to trap him into marriage. Analysis: This act introduces the characters and the battle between old-fashioned views (Ramsden) and new ideas (Tanner). It also shows how Ann is starting to chase Tanner, even though society expects men to do the chasing. Act II –  Tanner argues with Ann, Ramsden, and others about marriage, women, and society. He believes marriage is a trap and ...

Act 1 The play starts in a chocolate house. Mirabell and Fainall are playing cards and talking. Mirabell loves Millamant and wants to marry her. But Millamant’s aunt, Lady Wishfort, controls half of her money and doesn’t like Mirabell. Earlier, Mirabell had pretended to be in love with Lady Wishfort to stay close to Millamant, but she found out and now hates him. Mirabell’s plan is to trick Lady Wishfort. He arranges a secret marriage between his servant Waitwell and Lady Wishfort’s maid Foible to help with his plan. Other characters like Witwoud and Petulant are introduced. They try to act smart and fashionable but are actually foolish. Act 2 In St. James’s Park, Mrs. Fainall and Mrs. Marwood talk about men. They pretend to hate all men, but in truth, they both love someone. Mrs. Marwood secretly loves Mirabell but is jealous because he loves Millamant. Mrs. Fainall is Mirabell’s former lover and still supports him. She helps him plan a way to win Millamant with Lady Wishfort’s ...

Act I (Simplified)  Setting: A temple in Egypt. Characters: Serapion and Myris : Priests who talk about strange things happening in nature — floods, storms, ghosts rising from tombs. They think Egypt is in danger. Alexas : A servant of Cleopatra. He mocks the priests’ fears but admits things look bad. The Roman enemy is near, and even Antony’s friends are turning against him. Ventidius : A Roman general, loyal to Antony. He enters later, upset about how Antony has changed. Summary: Strange signs in Egypt suggest doom — floods are strange, animals are washed ashore, and even the dead seem to rise. The priests fear Egypt is doomed if Antony fails. Alexas says Cleopatra still loves Antony deeply, but Antony has locked himself away in the temple, depressed and avoiding Cleopatra. He believes all is lost after the defeat at the Battle of Actium. Then Ventidius arrives, angry that Antony is wasting time with Cleopatra. He wants to pull Antony out of his sadness and make hi...