Gender

Question 1

Act 1
“A man’s better at coping with these things than a woman” - Nora

Answer 1

•Nora’s repetition of things she has heard from male characters signify her diminished identity as a woman
•”Coping” alludes to a general ability to survive independently, which Nora seems happy to suggest is not something a woman is able to do as a man

Question 2

Act 2
“But it was great fun, though, sitting there and working and earning money. It was almost like being a man” - Nora

Answer 2

•Although Nora says it was tiring working a night, she emphasises the rewards, hinting at the personal agency work offers
•”Almost like a man” implying the dominance of the male workforce in nineteenth century Europe

Question 3

Act 2
“And besides- he’s so proud of being a man- it’d be so painful and humiliating for him to know that he owes anything to me. It’d completely wreck our relationship” - Nora

Answer 3

•”Proud” speaks to gender stereotypes under patriarchal society

Question 4

Act 3
“But no man can be expected to sacrifice his honour, even for the person he loves”

Answer 4

•By the resolution, however, Nora challenges Torvald’s views, suggesting through hyperbole that there are very different standards for men and women

Question 5

Act 3
“I would not be a true man if your feminine helplessness did not make you doubly attractive in my eyes” - Torvald

Answer 5

•Ibsen confirms the way gender stereotypes have caused a rift in the relationship
•His ignorant confusion alludes to his egotism
•His justification is ironic and serves to undermine his integrity
•”Helplessness” collaborates his earlier desire to save his wife from complete disaster
•”Doubly attractive” highlights the desire he fells from he complete powerlessness