A Doll's House Context

Question 1

When was the Norwegian Women’s Rights League?

Answer 1

1898

Question 2

What did Ibsen say at the Norwegian Women’s Right’s League?

Answer 2

‘I am not a member of the women’s rights league’

‘to me it has seemed a problem of humanity in general’

Question 3

What laws were in place that resulted in the stigmatisation of homosexuality?

Answer 3

Male homosexual acts were criminalised through the Labouchere Amendment of 1885, which made “gross indecency” between men a punishable offence, resulting in potential imprisonment.

Question 4

when was the Labouchere Amendment?

Answer 4

1885

Question 5

What did the Labouchere Amendment instate?

Answer 5

criminalisation of male homosexuality, this kind of institutional discrimination led to the widespread belief that STDs were the fault of homosexuals. This demonstrates the lack of diversity and equality.

Question 6

Who is Charlotte Tonna? (literary context)

Answer 6

Tonna dealt with ‘The Woman Question’ in her novel “The Wrongs of Woman” in 1843.

Question 7

New Woman

Answer 7

New Woman ideology played a significant role in complex social changes → redefining gender roles, consolidating women’s rights and overcoming masculine supremacy

Question 8

Who founded the ‘New Woman’ ideology?

Answer 8

Sarah Grand

Question 9

when was the ‘New Woman’ ideology founded?

Answer 9

1894

Question 10

What was the new Norweigan language contextual to Ibsen’s upbringing?

Answer 10

Landsmaal (reflective of change and development)

Question 11

When was Ibsen born?

Answer 11

1828

Question 12

When did Ibsen write ADH?

Answer 12

1879

Question 13

What the typical lifestyle of 1830s Norway?

Answer 13

90% of the population worked in agriculture

Question 14

Industrialisation of Norway

Answer 14

By 1879, the majority of Norway was industrialised and capitalism was ingrained in society

Question 15

When were the revolutions across Europe?

Answer 15

1948: revolutions in Europe

Radical reform movement in Norway defended rights of poor farmers and factory workers – brutally put down by with aid of swedish monarchy → population divided over issue

Question 16

Who was an admirer of Ibsen?

Answer 16

Sigmund Freud, symbolic of Ibsen’s work being sympathetic and complimentary of New sciences and naturalism.

Question 17

60% of women still illiterate across Europe in…

Answer 17

1840, lowering the industrial age of work only improved opportunities to men.

Question 18

When were women allowed to attend university in Norway?

Answer 18

1892

Question 19

When was the statute on marriage passed?

Answer 19

1988, granting women legal capacity/right to manage own earnings (but join ownership remained most common)

Question 20

What was social darwinism?

Answer 20

suggests specific people are biologically degenerate, used to justify political conservatism, imperialism, and racism and to discourage intervention and reform.

Question 21

What was the typical view of women and emotions?

Answer 21

hysteria, frenzied out of control and degenerative.

Question 22

Literary influence by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Answer 22

Published in 1847.

The princess
Story explores themes of gender roles, women’s rights, and the struggle for equality, reflecting the complex social dynamics of the Victorian era.

Question 23

Tarantella dance

Answer 23

‘tarantism’ is a condition induced by poisonous wolf spider bite. Symbolic of trying to shed toxins.

Question 24

Social darwinism vs religion

Answer 24

The concept of evolution and Darwinism (adaptation) contradicts christian beliefs of divine creation.

Characterise of Nora’s transition and empowerment alone suggests society is adaptable and changing.

Question 25

What was written in a Letter by Queen Victoria, dated 29th May 1870

Answer 25

‘God created men and women different-then let them remain each in their own position’ Enshrined by religious doctrine Solidifying the rigid, seperate social structure Epitomised femininity and domesticity

Question 26

What individual story influenced Ibsen's ADH?

Answer 26

Laura Kieler Fellow writer and friend of Ibsen (nickname was Skylark), forged a cheque to clear debt she had acquired when borrowing money to send her husband to a warmer climate When the bank discovered this, Laura’s husband threatened to divorce her, temporarily incarcerated her in a mental asylum and denied her access to her kids for two years.

Question 27

What did Queen Victoria epitomise about women's place within society?

Answer 27

'A woman’s place was in the home, as domesticity and motherhood were considered by society at large to be a sufficient emotional fulfilment for females'

Question 28

Characterise a 'New woman'

Answer 28

Free-spirited, educated and uninterested in marriage and children, the figure of the New Woman threatened conventional ideas about ideal Victorian womanhood. Radical – increasing number of opportunities becoming available to them in a male-dominated society.