crime creates fear If Torvald learns the truth her marriage may end The audience waits to see what will happen when Torvald learns the truth Krogstad s Threat Krogstad enters He works at the Bank Torvald plans to dismiss him Krogstad knows Nora s crime He warns her He says he will write to Torvald Nora is shocked Suspense rises in the Helmer house Nora fears her secret will be told The Christmas tree is bright but will soon fade The audience feels danger under the holiday joy The Letter-Box and Fear The second act begins The Christmas tree is dull This shows decay Nora is restless She fears the letter-box She tells the Nurse to keep the children away Dr Rank visits He is sick He says he will die soon He also confesses love for Nora She is shocked She hoped for his help but now she cannot ask She feels more trapped Krogstad comes again He leaves a letter in the letter-box Ibsen says A letter drops into the box Nora cries Torvald Torvald there is no hope for us now The audience fears what will happen when Torvald reads it Mrs Linde s Plan Mrs Linde wants to help She remembers her past with Krogstad She says There was a time when he would gladly do anything for my sake She goes out to meet him Nora tries to stop Torvald from opening the letter She dances the tarantella wildly She begs You must give yourself up to me entirely this evening The suspense builds Will Mrs Linde save Nora in time In Act III Mrs Linde meets Krogstad She asks him to take back the letter But she also says the truth must come out This decision holds suspense The audience waits to see Torvald s reaction Torvald Reads the Letter The climax comes in the living room Torvald opens the letter-box He reads Krogstad s letter He cries You have destroyed all my happiness He calls Nora dishonest and unfit for children Nora hoped for a miracle She thought Torvald would protect her But he thinks only of himself Suspense reaches its highest point Another letter arrives Krogstad returns the bond Torvald is relieved He forgives Nora He says they are safe But Nora is silent She says You have never loved me You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me Suspense breaks into decision She says she must educate herself Nora leaves the Helmer house She slams the door The sound is the final shock Ibsen creates suspense step by step In Act I Nora s small lies and Krogstad s threat In Act II the stripped Christmas tree the letter in the box and Dr Rank s sad truth In Act III Mrs Linde s meeting and Torvald s angry reaction The Helmer home is full of tension The play ends in suspense and freedom with Nora walking out