A Doll’s House (Setting)

*      Place: Helmer’s house, Norway

*      Time: Christmas season in the late 1800s

Norway in the late 1800s

*      Economy: The Economic BOOM

Þ   development of the economy began in the 1840s

Þ   experienced a significant economic growth in 1843 up to mid-1870s (econ. boom)

o   can mainly be attributed to Norway’s success in foreign trade, mining and growth in agricultural productivity

Þ   families became more well-off and had more income and time to spend leisurely

Þ   The economy became more industrialized Since the country’s independence in 1814, which lead to the creation of new jobs and opportunities

Þ   Due to this, the upper-middle class became larger

Þ   Before this class existed, most of the wealthy people were a part of the aristocracy, and therefore born with a silver spoon  

Þ   Now, people could work for financial betterment and get into the upper-middle class through education and hardwork

Þ   However, despite the benefits of the economy’s development, people became of over-aware of money, which lead to obsession

v The development of Norway’s economy is reflected in the lives of the characters as finances is a constant subject throughout the play

*      Social Structures

Þ   late 19^th century: a time when social standing was given great importance and was abided by very strictly

Þ   Helmer’s family belongs to the upper-middle class, which holds a great reputation for financial success, good morals, and a patriarchal family

Þ   Patriarchal family:

o    the wife is in service to her husband and is in charge of housework and the children

o   the husband is in charge of controlling finances and being the head of the household

Þ   Women had no rights to property

Þ   Even after a divorce, the husband had complete legal control over any income earned by his wife

Winters in Norway: October to Early January

Þ   Can be a light snow-filled paradise, but can also be harsh and dark especially in areas up north

Þ   winter is divided into two:

o   1^st part: October to early January ® the darkest times of the year, known as mørketiden (literally defined as  the time north of the Arctic circle when the sun doe not rise)

§  wet and often accompanied by storms

o   2^nd part: after Christmas, the weather feels cooler and snowfall becomes heavier

§  days are still quite dark, however what little light there is is reflected off on the snow, thus giving a brighter-looking landscape

*      Christmas season in Norway

Þ   known as “jul” (pronounced ‘yul’) in this season, particularly on dec. 23^rd or 24^th, occurs Lille julaften or “Little Christmas Eve” in which a Christmas tree is set out and decorated in households

Þ   Christmas Eve: the most important time of the winter holidays

o   traditionally celebrated with the family

§  children open their Christmas stockings, and the fire place is lit

§  festive foods and baked goods are also prepared on the table

*      etymology of (a) word/s:

o   December ® Latin; “decem” means “ten”; tenth month of the old Roman calendar, which began with March

Sources: https://pages.stolaf.edu/th271-spring2014/background-of-a-dolls-house/

http://www.lifeinnorway.net/2014/09/the-five-seasons-of-norway/