How do the stage directions in brackets affect the meaning of the text? They show that Nora goes from playing happily with her children to being startled by Krogstad, an unwelcome visitor. They show that Nora, the children, and Krogstad are on the stage at the same time and are communicating with one another. They show that Nora has to take care of her children without the help of her husband, Torvald, and resents it greatly. They show that Krogstad is familiar to the family and is a frequent visitor, so he can walk in without knocking.