A Doll's House Part 2 by Lucas Hnath: Summary

 

The play begins with an empty and silent room. After a series of knocks at the door, Anne Marie, an older woman with a hobble, enters and opens the door to find Nora standing there.

Nora and Anne Marie have an emotional reunion. Anne Marie expresses her disbelief at Nora's return after 15 years, noting that she had wondered if Nora was even still alive. Nora remarks on how different the house looks, noting the absence of the cuckoo clock, the trinket cabinet, and her piano, all of which Anne Marie explains were thrown out after Nora left. Nora inquires about Torvald's return, and Anne Marie says he will be back in a few hours as he is at work. Anne Marie reveals she hasn't told the children, who are now grown, that Nora is in town, which Nora appreciates. Anne Marie suggests that Nora see Torvald, believing it might be helpful to repair something between them. Nora questions if Torvald is still broken over her leaving, but Anne Marie assures her he is not. Anne Marie mentions that Torvald never remarried and suggests he should get a dog, recounting his reasoning for not wanting one: the inevitability of a dog's death.

Nora states that she is a very different person than the one who left 15 years ago. When Anne Marie asks what happened to her, Nora prompts her to guess what she imagined Nora had been doing. Anne Marie admits she wondered but didn't have specific ideas. Nora presses her on whether she thought Nora had an easy time, which Anne Marie denies, acknowledging the difficulties women face. Nora suggests that society expects women who leave their families to be punished. Nora then reveals that she has done very well and made a lot of money. She dismisses Anne Marie's guesses of actress or dancer and finally announces that she writes books.

Nora explains that she writes popular books about women, their desires, and the injustices they face. One of her books, she says, is quite controversial. She writes under a pseudonym. Her first book was inspired by her own life, about a woman in a seemingly good marriage who felt suffocated and left her husband to start her own life. Nora states that she believes women unhappy in their marriages should leave, calling marriage cruel and destructive to women's lives. Anne Marie disagrees, saying marriage makes many people happy. Nora counters that most people would be happier without it, arguing that people only believe they need marriage because they are told so by parents, churches, and leaders. She critiques the idea of marriage as the ultimate expression of love, seeing it more as an act of ownership and control. She also questions the permanence of marriage given that people change. Nora argues that marriage can make people worse because the need to "woo" disappears after commitment, potentially leading to poor treatment within the relationship. While acknowledging the desire for intimacy and love, she questions the necessity and exclusivity of marriage, noting the common occurrence of infidelity. Nora predicts that marriage will be a thing of the past in 20 to 30 years.

Anne Marie expresses her disagreement and finds Nora's views extreme and against nature. She suggests there might be good reasons why men and women are the way they are and that Nora's fight against this will make people uncomfortable. Nora explains that in her book, her heroine who espoused these ideas had to die at the end for the book to be published, but in her mind, it was a symbolic death representing a new life.

Nora then reveals the real reason for her return: she needs a divorce. Some women who read her book left their marriages, including the wife of a judge in her city. This judge, angry and wanting to ruin Nora, discovered her real name. He threatened to expose her as a married woman conducting business and having relationships as if unmarried, which amounts to fraud, unless she publicly retracts her statements. Nora explains that Torvald never filed for their divorce 15 years ago, so legally they are still married. She plans to ask Torvald to simply file the divorce to avert the crisis. Nora mentions that the law makes it easier for a man to get a divorce than a woman. She tells Anne Marie she might need her help because Torvald seems still upset.

Anne Marie becomes emotional, feeling Nora has misinterpreted her comments about Torvald. She clarifies that she simply thought it would be nice for them to have a civil conversation after so many years. Nora reassures Anne Marie that she did nothing wrong and reiterates that she might need her help as allies, given their long history. Anne Marie expresses her dislike of being in the middle.

Suddenly, Torvald enters the room. He is surprised to find Nora there with Anne Marie, saying he forgot some papers. There is an awkward silence before Torvald asks who Nora is (as he does not recognize her at the first glance). After a moment of recognition, Torvald abruptly says he needs to use the bathroom and leaves. Anne Marie is shocked that he returned so early and urges Nora to leave. However, Nora insists that Anne Marie should go, and she will speak to Torvald alone. Nora expresses her frustration with the unexpected turn of events. Anne Marie exits, and Nora rearranges the furniture as she waits for Torvald to return.

Torvald re-enters, and there is a period of silence. He admits he didn't expect this and doesn't know what to say. He sits facing away from Nora. Nora says she is fine sitting with him for as long as he wants. Torvald says he has thought a lot about what this encounter would feel like and admits to feeling shaky. Nora offers to leave and come back later, but Torvald asks her to tell him why she is there. Nora reminds Torvald of the night she left 15 years ago, stating that the marriage was done and he would divorce her. She reveals she recently discovered he never filed for the divorce. She asks him if this is true and why he didn't divorce her. Torvald replies that he didn't want to divorce her, that she was the one who wanted it. Nora asks him to agree now to make the divorce official, explaining that she needs his help because the law doesn't give men and women equal rights in divorce. She argues that it's not right for him to hold her to a marriage she doesn't want.

Torvald hesitates, and Nora points out that it costs him nothing to file for divorce. Torvald implies it might cost him more than her dress. Nora then explains what it costs her: because they are legally married, she has become a criminal for behaving as an unmarried woman and conducting business without his consent, potentially facing prosecution. She also notes that this affects his ability to remarry. Nora reveals she has had other men, lovers, since she left, assuming they were divorced. She states that his inaction has put her in danger. Torvald retorts that she left him and the children. Nora expresses her regret that she didn't leave him first.

Torvald recounts his own grievances during their marriage. He lists Nora's perceived faults, such as chastising him, constantly asking for money by feigning love, making him responsible for her friends' problems, making him feel weak, talking down to him, flirting with other men, making fun of him, and prioritizing her own needs over their children. He wishes he hadn't taken her leaving the way he did. Nora counters that Torvald is making himself the victim and always needs to be right and superior, talking down to women as if he is an expert.

Torvald wonders if women don't, in some ways, expect men to behave in a confident and leading manner. Nora differentiates this from talking down to her. She also points out that Torvald doesn't truly get angry, but rather observes the feeling from the outside. Nora states that she has no regrets about leaving. She explains that she is asking him to file for divorce out of kindness because, as a woman, she would have to prove he did something horrible to deserve it, potentially ruining his reputation.

Torvald initially tells her to do it and ruin him, wanting her to consciously choose to do so. He calls out for Anne Marie. Nora reiterates that she needs his help to get the divorce. Anne Marie enters, having found Torvald's papers. Torvald tells her they will talk later and then exits.

Nora tells Anne Marie that Torvald won't give her the divorce, leaving her with limited options. Option 1 would be to lie and say Torvald abused her, which she refuses to do. Option 2 would be to retract her writings, which she would rather die than do. She needs an Option 3. Anne Marie says she is still angry with Nora for putting her in a bad spot, as Torvald is her only family and supports her out of gratitude for staying and raising the children. Anne Marie recounts Torvald's difficult state after Nora left. She asks Nora to leave.

Nora refuses to leave, asserting her legal right to be there as she is still married to Torvald. Anne Marie urges her to take Option 2, but Nora refuses. They argue about feelings and the consequences of Nora's actions. Nora points out that as her legal husband, Torvald could claim her earnings. She emphasizes that she cannot remain tied to him. Anne Marie feels that Nora doesn't consider her. Nora asks what makes Anne Marie innocent in all of this, implying she isn't helping to fix the problem. Anne Marie retorts about all the problems she has already fixed for Nora, particularly raising her children, which she feels Nora hasn't adequately appreciated. Nora argues that Anne Marie's choice to stay was not her responsibility. They debate the societal judgment of mothers leaving their children. Nora points out that Anne Marie also left her own child to raise Nora's. Anne Marie argues she had fewer options than Nora.

Nora acknowledges Anne Marie's point and explains that leaving her children was the hardest part and still hurts. She describes her internal conflict of wanting to reach out to them but deciding against it, believing that complete silence was better for their healing. Nora expresses gratitude for Anne Marie's role in raising her children and apologizes if she didn't show it. Nora offers Anne Marie financial independence by buying her a house and giving her a lump sum of money. Anne Marie initially refuses.

Anne Marie then proposes "Option 3": Nora should meet her daughter, Emmy. Nora is hesitant, feeling like a stranger. Anne Marie believes Emmy might be persuasive with Torvald, as their words mean nothing to him. She suggests Emmy might have a good idea for what to do. Nora expresses concern about upsetting the balance, but Anne Marie argues that Emmy is an adult and can handle it, suggesting Nora might be aggrandizing her own importance. Anne Marie insists this is the only option.

Emmy enters. She introduces herself as Nora's daughter, and they have an awkward first meeting. Emmy expresses that it is nice to meet Nora and feels no animosity towards her, even finding it exciting. She doesn't remember Nora at all and reveals that for a long time, she thought Nora was dead. Emmy recounts how her brothers told her Nora had left and how she confirmed this by finding no death certificate at the clerk's office. Her brothers had told her Nora might return and take them with her, imagining Nora would be more fun than Torvald. Emmy finds Torvald's seriousness "adorable". She mentions that Bob missed Nora the most but refused to draw her picture because he didn't like to cry.

Nora remembers Bob's aversion to crying. Emmy asks Nora what she remembers about her. Nora recalls that Emmy's birth was very fast compared to her brothers'. Emmy then asks Nora if she is happy. Nora says she is, and that her work and her quiet house by a lake make her happy. Emmy also says she is happy, with enough money and good health, and surprisingly states that things turned out better because Nora wasn't around, making her more responsible and mature. She feels "special" and people call her an old soul.

Emmy acknowledges that Nora has also done well, having her own money and writing books. Nora offers to send her one, but Emmy admits she doesn't really read. Nora asks if Anne Marie told her why she is there. Emmy knows that Nora and Torvald were supposed to be divorced but aren't, and that Nora wants Torvald to file the divorce, which he refuses to do. Emmy guesses that Nora wants her to convince Torvald. Nora suggests Emmy tell Torvald it's the right thing for everyone, including him and the family, to avoid scandal. Emmy reveals she knows about the judge. Nora understands Emmy might have concerns about approaching Torvald and suggests she could say she heard about the problem from Anne Marie and came to her own conclusion that Torvald should grant the divorce to avoid damaging his reputation. Nora emphasizes that Torvald won't act for her sake but might if Emmy shows him how he is making things worse for himself.

Nora believes Torvald doesn't want to let her go and hopes for reconciliation. Emmy strongly disagrees, stating that Nora has made assumptions and doesn't understand the situation. Emmy reveals that Torvald fabricated a story after Nora left, telling people she was sick and recovering at a sanitarium, and later implied she had died to avoid the embarrassment of saying she left him. This led to an outpouring of support and even some government assistance. Because Torvald is well-respected and runs the bank, this lie has been maintained. Emmy explains that Nora's presence and actions now constitute fraud, and Torvald could be tried and lose everything, which is why he can't give her a divorce.

Emmy proposes another option: Nora should die. She suggests that with her connections, a death certificate could appear in the files. If Nora is legally dead, there is no marriage. Emmy clarifies that this is her own idea. She asks Nora why she wouldn't do it. Nora points out that it would be forgery of public records, with serious consequences. Emmy believes no one would find out. Nora warns from experience that such things can come to light.

Nora is appalled that Torvald's lie would result in her having to lose everything. Emmy then reveals that she is engaged to a banker named Jorgen who works with Torvald. A scandal would prevent her from marrying him and ruin her future. Emmy senses Nora doesn't like that she is getting married, given Nora's views on marriage. Emmy recounts Anne Marie telling her not to bring up Jorgen but felt it was important to tell Nora because they are in love. Nora clarifies that she believes in love but sees it as the opposite of a contract like marriage, which she feels restricts freedom.

Emmy defends Jorgen as kind, but Nora says that kindness isn't the issue with marriage. Emmy admits she knows nothing about marriage because Nora left, but she knows what the absence of it looks like and wants the opposite: to be held and be someone's something. She senses Nora's disapproval but insists her wants are not about Nora's. Nora says she once wanted what Emmy wants but found it wasn't what she truly desired. Emmy believes she is different. Nora sees similarities in their thinking. Emmy accuses Nora of only wanting to see her to fix a problem and of never having given her anything.

Nora acknowledges she came for help but denies she didn't want to see Emmy. Emmy points out that Nora asks no questions about her life, making her feel used. Nora fears the risk Emmy would take by forging a death certificate, but Emmy counters that Nora is in worse trouble. Nora says what scares her more is the thought of Emmy repeating her mistakes, which would make Nora's choices meaningless. Emmy asks what Nora has done since leaving. Nora refers to her books that encourage women to leave unhappy marriages. Emmy questions the positive impact of this, asking how many women have left their families and gotten into similar trouble as Nora.

Emmy surprisingly states that it's good to be stuck in a marriage, as the difficulty of leaving makes people try harder to stay together. She wonders what a future of constant separation would look like – lonely and unsatisfying. She suggests Nora go along with the death certificate plan, become "officially dead," and start a new life free of her past identity.

There is a long silence. Nora declares that this scheming and lying is what she left behind. As she begins to leave, Emmy asks where she is going. Nora says Emmy doesn't know what she has given her – the possibility of a different world – but it won't happen this way by letting Emmy or Torvald fix her problem. Nora resolves to face the judge and declare she is a "criminal" and not sorry, showing them they have no power over her. Emmy warns she could go to prison. Nora says she is already in a prison if she has to rely on Torvald or hide behind a pseudonym, and she wants to change the "bad rules" of the world. She hopes to live to see a freer world.

Anne Marie re-enters with Torvald, who is bleeding from the head. Anne Marie says she found him in the street, appearing crazy, and blames Nora. Emmy exits to get bandages. Anne Marie scolds Torvald and tells Nora she should never have come. Emmy returns with supplies and begins to tend to Torvald's wound after Anne Marie leaves at Torvald's request. Torvald then asks Emmy to leave, wanting to talk to Nora alone.

Torvald produces one of Nora's books. He tells Nora that Anne Marie informed him about her writing. He went to a bookstore, asked for the popular book women were reading, and was given Nora's book, recognizing it despite the pseudonym. He read the entire book at the fjord, finding it hard because it was about their life together. Nora retorts that it was hard for her to live it. Torvald recounts his experience reading, remembering and forgetting moments. He admits some parts made him angry, particularly the unflattering portrayal of him. He reads aloud excerpts where Nora describes his condescending looks, sneers, pontificating, and how she lived in terror of him feeling unseen and insignificant, valued only for making him feel good. He reads the line about him being interchangeable with any woman and liking her because she was pretty, his, and perfect, not because he truly saw her. He also reads the description of living with someone who can't see you as life-threatening.

Torvald says this portrayal hurts because he is not like that now. He talks about thinking of his legacy and not wanting this negative portrayal to be his defining story. He reveals he went to the clerk's office that morning to file for divorce. Nora is surprised and touched. Torvald explains the clerk was confused, thinking Nora was dead. Torvald confessed to lying and insisted on filing the divorce, even when the clerk suggested creating a death certificate. Torvald describes grabbing the pen and fighting with the clerk, during which he fell and hit his head on a stone. He told the clerk to give him the divorce, and the clerk, understanding the deeper issue, agreed. Torvald presents the divorce paper, saying he did this for Nora, ruining himself and his reputation by exposing his lies of 15 years, likely losing his job, friends, and savings. He wants her to remember him as he is now. He offers her the paper.

Nora thanks him but says she doesn't need the divorce anymore. Torvald is exasperated, feeling he can't win with her. Nora insists there is nothing to win and accuses him of making everything about himself, even her book. They argue about his motivations, with Nora saying he only acted to look good, and Torvald claiming he saved her. Nora vehemently denies needing a savior and says he has no idea what this has cost her. She accuses him of wanting to be ruined so people will pity and care for him, saying he hasn't changed.

There is a long silence. Torvald admits he doesn't know how to behave around her anymore and finds it disturbing that he can no longer see the person he used to know when he looks at her. He confesses that he thinks he misses her and that maybe they both made assumptions about each other. He wonders if he might like who she truly is and if he didn't actually like the things she thought he did. He finds "all of this" – being with people – hard.

Torvald asks about the other men Nora has been with. Nora lists a painter, another banker, an architect, the builder of the architect's houses, and a very young man. Torvald then surprisingly reveals that he also had a relationship with a widow named Sofia who lived nearby. Nora laughs, unable to picture it. Torvald admits he couldn't pursue it because he was afraid.

Nora asks Torvald to be honest about whether he has ever experienced a true marriage – two people figuring out how to be around each other, which she recalls wanting before she left. Both admit they haven't. Torvald says he doesn't want to die never having had that experience. Nora encourages him to pursue it. She recounts what she did after leaving: living in a boarding house, sewing to earn money, and saving to be alone for the first time. She moved up north to an abandoned shack. Even alone, she realized she could still hear the voices of others in her head, influencing her decisions. She decided to live in silence for two years until she could no longer remember other people's voices and could hear her own. She learned that lying makes it harder to hear one's own voice, especially when seeking love from others. She finds she is her best self when alone.

Nora admits it is nice to sit with Torvald. He gently squeezes her hand. Nora says she is ready to go – away from the house – knowing she will face more challenges but having done it before. They walk to the door together. Nora turns in the doorway and says the world hasn't changed as much as she thought, but she believes someday everyone will be freer. Torvald can't imagine that. Nora hopes she lives to see it and then walks out the door as the lights go out. The play ends.

 Links to other blogs of this series:
A Doll's House Part 2 By Lucas Hnath: An Overview