Question

Read the passage from A Doll’s House.

Helmer: Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life of a home. Each breath the children take in such a house is full of the germs of evil.

Nora: [coming nearer him] Are you sure of that?

Helmer: My dear, I have often seen it in the course of my life as a lawyer. Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother.

Nora: Why do you only say—mother?

Helmer: It seems most commonly to be the mother's influence, though naturally a bad father's would have the same result. Every lawyer is familiar with the fact. This Krogstad, now, has been persistently poisoning his own children with lies and dissimulation; that is why I say he has lost all moral character. [Holds out his hands to her.] That is why my sweet little Nora must promise me not to plead his cause. Give me your hand on it. Come, come, what is this? Give me your hand. There now, that's settled. I assure you it would be quite impossible for me to work with him; I literally feel physically ill when I am in the company of such people.

How does the author use the character of Helmer to develop the idea of gender inequality?

A. By rebuking deceitful mothers, Helmer demonstrates the belief that women’s primary responsibility was raising children.
B. By saying that mothers and fathers share the responsibility of influence over children, Helmer demonstrates the idea of gender inequality.
C. By dismissing Nora’s opinions of Krogstad, Helmer demonstrates how women’s beliefs were oftentimes ignored.
D. By saying that he is physically ill in Krogstad’s presence, Helmer demonstrates the belief that men are inferior to women.

Answer 1

The correct answer and the way the author uses the character of Helmer to develop the idea of gender inequality is A. By rebuking deceitful mothers, Helmer demonstrates the belief that women's primary responsibility was raising children.

Step-by-step explanation:

Helmer's reasoning is based in the stereotypes and gender roles according to which it is in the nature of women to raise the children at home. If women do not conform to that role they are depicted as deceitful or disafectionate mothers, resulting in a dysfunctional home. While Helmer also mentions "a bad father", the blame falls mainly on women non-conforming to the role of mother.