Context

Question 1

What type of theatre was ADH

Answer 1

It was a realist play, Ibsen rejected the idea of romantic theatre and was known as the ‘founding father of realism’.

Question 2

19th century beliefs

Answer 2

• Concept of spheres, men are in the public sphere. Women are in the domestic/private sphere.
• Reputation is a paramount and held significant importance for maintaining social standing and respectability
• men’s reputation based on how well they provide for their family
• Lots of secrecy as people hide their desires and behaviours that don’t align with society
• Napoleonic code meant woman had no control over their finances

Question 3

The new woman

Answer 3

• Shown through Nora leaving and Mrs Linde’s presentation
• woman developing lives in the public sphere and having ambitions ect

Question 4

Darwinian beliefs

Answer 4

• Darwinian beliefs on genetics and inheritance- variations in populations could be passed onto offspring
• People were unsure of what can be passed on hence why worry of nora getting her fathers traits ect

Question 5

Ending of the play

Answer 5

• Seen as very scandalous when it first came out
• Nora was seen aa giving up on her children and abandoning her family
• After being pressured by many theatres in Germany Ibsen rewrote the ending to where nora changes her mind after seeing her children
• He regretted this and called the new ending a ‘barbaric outrage’

Question 6

Industrialisation

Answer 6

• The rise in industry created new social classes and economic opportunities
• The Helmers are middle class could be ‘any suburb in Europe’ Shaw
• however this put pressure on families to maintain appearances