Read the passage from A Doll’s House.
How does the author use the character of the nurse to
Nora: Nurse, want you to something | have
develop the social issue of gender inequality?
often wondered about-how could you have the heart
to put your own child out among strangers?
The nurse’s willingness to take care of Nora when
Nora was little demonstrates a woman’s ability to do
Nurse: I was obliged to, if I wanted to be little Nora’s
difficult work.
Nurse.
The nurse’s need to give up a child in order to have
Nora: Yes, but how could you be willing to do it?
a job demonstrates a woman’s inability to support
herself.
Nurse: What, when was going to get such a good
place by it? A poor girl who has got into trouble should
The fact that the nurse’s child wrote to her as a
be glad to. Besides, that wicked man didn’t do a single
young girl and as an adult demonstrates a woman’s
ability to keep friends forever.
thing for me.
The nurse’s assurance to Nora that her children ask
Nora: But I suppose your daughter has quite forgotten
for her often demonstrates women’s role in health
you.
care.
Nurse: No, indeed she hasn’t. She wrote LO me when
she was confirmed, and when she was married.
