The masculine sphere

• Helmer must provide for the family financially and carry the burdens of the household to be seen as masculine
• Men have the traditional role in a doll's house of being the provider for the family
• Men are shown in control of relationships and women in dolls house
• In the same way he takes the rules of society for granted, Helmer also assumes that a title – such as ‘husband’ or ‘employer’ – endows him with a wisdom that cannot be questioned.
• Helmer sees himself as a man of culture and education – an idealist
• Helmer never realises that he is more interested in power than in the rights and wrongs of a situation which leaves Nora bitter regarding the Italian holiday. He never actually admits that it was responsible for his present blooming health.
• Men are depicted as stable while women are unpredictable and impulsive
• "What an expensive pet she is for a man to keep" Helmer
• "A wife can't borrow money without her husbands consent" ML
• "He's so proud of being a man" Nora
• "When I'm no longer pretty... when torvald no longer loves me"
• "Strange gentleman won't do anything to hurt mummy" Kids pick up Krogstad is the antagonist
• "How on earth could you imagine that I would have any influence over my husband" Nora
• "His father was a frightful creature who kept mistresses" Nora about Dr Ranks father
• "Torvald can't bear to see the sewing around"
• "I am man enough to bear the burden for us both" Helmer
• "Correct me, lead me, the way you always do" Nora talking to Helmer about the tarantella
• "I am condemned to humiliation and ruin simply for the weakness of women" Helmer
• "I would not be a true man if your feminine helplessness did not make you doubly attractive" Helmer