SAT II Literature : Theme
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Theme: Drama
A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open.
Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in out-door dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened the door.)
Nora: Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it till this evening, when it is dressed. (To the PORTER, taking out her purse.) How much?
Porter: Sixpence.
Nora: There is a shilling. No, keep the change. (The PORTER thanks her, and goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband's door and listens.) Yes, he is in. (Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.)
Helmer: (calls out from his room). Is that my little lark twittering out there?
Nora (busy opening some of the parcels): Yes, it is!
Helmer: Is it my little squirrel bustling about?
Nora: Yes!
Helmer: When did my squirrel come home?
Nora: Just now. (Puts the bag of macaroons into her pocket and wipes her mouth.) Come in here, Torvald, and see what I have bought.
Helmer: Don't disturb me. (A little later, he opens the door and looks into the room, pen in hand.) Bought, did you say? All these things? Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?
Nora: Yes, but, Torvald, this year we really can let ourselves go a little. This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economize.
Helmer: Still, you know, we can't spend money recklessly.
Nora: Yes, Torvald, we may be a wee bit more reckless now, mayn't we? Just a tiny wee bit! You are going to have a big salary and earn lots and lots of money.
Helmer: Yes, after the New Year; but then it will be a whole quarter before the salary is due.
Nora: Pooh! we can borrow till then.
(1879)
Based on the excerpt, which of the following is most likely to be a major theme of the play?
The meaninglessness of financial success
The dangerous consequences of a consumer society
The immoral nature of women
The limited opportunities afforded to women
The inherent evils of class divisions
The limited opportunities afforded to women
Based on the provided excerpt, the most likely major theme (of the ones provided) is the limited opportunities afforded to women. It is clear throughout the excerpt that Nora has no career or money of her own. She has spent her day shopping and then is scolded by her husband, who consistently refers to her using the possessive "my." The publication date also provides a clue to the theme, as women were afforded many fewer opportunities in 1879 compared to today. The other theme choices are all connected to the the content of the excerpt, but there is not enough evidence to support choosing them. For example, reference is made to the existence of class divisions but we have no reason to believe the playwright is presenting these divisions as evil. Likewise, reference is made to financial success and consumerism but the excerpt does not take a clear moral position on either of these things.
Passage adapted from Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House (1879)
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