Norway - Divorce

The Reformation, or separation of the Protestant and Catholic churches begun by Martin Luther in 1517, spread to Norway later in the century. As Protestantism grew in popularity, it spurred the legalization of divorce, which had been more tightly controlled under the Catholic Church. Bigamy, adultery, desertion, and impotence became accepted as valid reasons for a couple to separate. This state of affairs changed in 1909, when the country adopted a new divorce law. More relaxed than the earlier law, it permitted divorce in the case of mutual consent and after a period of separation of at least one year. But while divorce became easier to obtain, it was still frowned upon. The proceedings cost little enough; a poor Norwegian could obtain a divorce almost free of charge. But they were publicized as little as possible; newspapers were forbidden to report divorce cases.

In Ibsen's play the Helmers, who are the drama's central characters, live under the older divorce law. Even if the action had been set after 1909, however, no mutual consent to the dissolution of the marriage existed, since Nora moves out of the house against her husband's wishes.

Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/a-doll-s-house-events-in-history-at-the-time-of-the-play