Read the excerpt from act 3 of A Doll’s House. Helmer: You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had not sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But do you suppose you are any the less dear to me, because you don't understand how to act on your own responsibility? No, no; only lean on me; I will advise you and direct you. I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you a double attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the hard things I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everything was going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven you, Nora; I swear to you I have forgiven you. What evidence from the text best supports the theme that the roles of women are defined by society?
Answer
A
“You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had not sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used.”
B
“But do you suppose you are any the less dear to me, because you don't understand how to act on your own responsibility?”
C
“I will advise you and direct you. I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you a double attractiveness in my eyes.”
D
“You must not think anymore about the hard things I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everything was going to overwhelm me.”
Explanation
Helmer says he will “advise” and “direct” Nora, and calls her helplessness “womanly.” This directly shows that he expects women to be dependent and helpless, reflecting society’s prescribed role for women. Choice A focuses on Nora’s actions as a wife, but C most clearly states the gender expectation.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.