Definition of Setting
Key Examples in A Doll's House
A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879, is set in an unnamed town or city in Norway during the late 19th century. During this period, both married and unmarried women had extremely limited autonomy in Europe, although in different ways. Married women in particular were prevented from property ownership and financial autonomy, and oftentimes even bodily autonomy as well. In fact, Ibsen gained inspiration for this play from the real-life story of one of his friends, Laura Kieler (born Laura Petersen), who signed an illegal loan. When her husband discovered what she did, he divorced her and committed her to an asylum. It was with these events in mind that Ibsen crafted the Helmer family and events of the play.