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A Doll's House Women and Femininity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line) Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.

Quote #1

HELMER: "Is it my little squirrel bustling about?" (1.9)

By constantly referring to Nora with pet names, Helmer seems to dehumanize his wife.

Quote #2

HELMER: "That is like a woman! […] you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing." (1.21)

Torvald seems to stereotype all women as frivolous spendthrifts.

Quote #3

NORA: "Tell me, is it really true that you did not love your husband? Why did you marry him?"
MRS. LINDE: "My mother was alive then, and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers; so I did not think I was justified in refusing his offer." (1.136-1.137)

Offering herself in marriage was one of the few ways a woman had of supporting her family.