Mask

"I could have gotten it from some admirer or other. After all, a girl of my ravishing appeal --" (1571) ~ Nora

The painted mask reflects the feminine veneer that Nora affects to sway Torvald and others to her favour. As she is incapable of analytical persuasion or critical argument, she relies on the coy femininity that a girl of her "ravishing appeal" is able to wield (1571).

She knows the manner of her influence, and does not deceive herself into thinking that Torvald loves her for her personality or intelligence, fully aware that there will be a time when "Torvald loves [her] less than now; that is, he stops enjoying [her] dancing" (1572).