Culture, Roots, Identity
The two characters I chose to write about are Nora from A Dolls House and Walter from A Raisin in the Sun. I am choosing these two characters for many reasons. I feel that Noras culture and identity has been very much affected by the way Trovalds culture made him act towards Nora. Walter has been delayed in achieving his goals simply because his culture was not looked upon as being very established or prosperous.
The play taking place during the 19 century, you will notice that being a home maker or stay home mom who takes care of the kids is very common. Nora seems to be happy and playful, but does not have much if any knowledge of the world out side her house, or should we say outside of Torvalds realm. She does seem to have some worldly experience, and the small acts of rebellion in which she encounters, indicate that she is not as happy as you think. This is all because of Torvalds culture and how it affects her directly. Torvald loves nothing as much as he loves having authority as a husband. His culture is a culture of power. He feels that he is on top of the world, with his new position and power at work, to being the husband; he feels that he is some type of god, in his mind. Noras life was changed in many ways for many years, due to his tremendous self centered culture of insatiability, money, authority, upper class, and domination.
Nora had to keep secrets from Torvald because if she didnt, he would find out and scold her, even though some of the things she does are only to benefit him. Noras culture of being a wife and a morally and ethically ordinary person was altered in many ways. At times she had to pretend that she was enjoying what she was doing. As much as she loved to eat, some food were kept a secret from Torvald, simply because he did not want her eating certain foods, because he felt that they were unhealthy and would rot her teeth. Torvalds identity was only improved to a new all time high, when he got the top position in the bank. Not only does he have complete control of Nora, but now he has complete control of the bank in which he operates. His harsh culture affects Nora directly and can only last so long till she unleashes with her feelings and her culture is once again restored. Noras cultures values are slowly starting to leave her, till finally she realizes she can do better, and she can make it on her own. Her biggest value of self esteem had almost lost her, but when she got enough nerve to stand up to Torvald and explain her self, he soon realized that he was wrong in many ways.
Her true and real identity starts to come out as the play progresses. Nora is broken down by the manipulation from Torvald. Torvald is worried about his reputation, and cares little about her feelings. Nora starts to realize that when she cant talk to him about anything that she has some serious problems that are going to arise in the near future. Torvald calls Nora names such as my little squirrel and spendthrift and he does this because to him she is just a wife, and she has no need for a higher standard than being considered a pet. She changes her culture of being a proper lady, and having a happy family, to deal with the power that Torvald throws at her. She is scared of him, and it takes a lot from Torvald for her to be on her last nerve.
Nora grows even stronger now that she stands up to Torvald and tells him how she feels and basically tells him off. Nora says I have to try to educate myself. You cant help me with that. Ive got to do it alone. And thats why Im leaving you now (599-600). Nora realized that this house was not the place for her, and things would be better off for her if she left. Now that she got to speak her word on what she felt, she is again starting to live reality and find her identity again. Nora decided that the only way to fix the situation is to leave Torvald and her children and seek out her identity independently.
Walter was always directed in a way that was not so positive. Walter wants to achieve part of this American Dream, but he is frustrated at every step. Opportunities for him are few because he is black, even though he is willing to work hard and give his best in everything he does.
Walter, being the son of Mama works as a chauffeur. He does not find this a satisfying job, mainly because he does not like to be considered a servant. He has plans to find success in opening a liquor store with the insurance money from his father. The only problems is that people look at his culture of being black, as a lower class, can never be anything style of living. Walter gets the money and invests in the liquor store, but when his friend runs of with the money his family and values start to put him down. He starts to accept that its okay it happens. Then he realizes he is not going to let his identity, background or what other people think about him, bother him anymore.
When Linder came over to offer them a financial offer, Walter stands up and turns down the offer, when it would of benefited the family. He started to turn to his values, goals, and dreams that he had and decided that they can do it on their own. Just when things started to look bad for the family they were slowly but surely getting better. Walter asserts himself forcefully into his culture, even though the choices he made make his life difficult in ways, he will not be spiritually defeated.
Walter stuck up for him self, and his culture and said he will make a difference, whether he has to be the first black family who makes he, he is asserting him self forcefully into becoming a successful family in a upper class all white neighborhood. Walter is proud of his racial identity, and will never let it bother him. Walter at first thought he would have to be altered to go against his values, but came back with a strong punch and was able to pull things together and stand up for him self and his culture and find true identity and set a stable example for others. Walter exceeds the values that he and accomplishes something that seemed so impossible.
The author seems to be showing us that everyone should be treated equal and no matter what the situation is, whether its being a female or being back that you deserve the be treated equally. These are just two examples I chose to write about, and I feel the author in both cases wants to make sure people know the importance of treating someone right, and doing what you feel will lead you to the direction of success.
A local culture that I belong to is the college life culture. This has helped me develop what I truly want to do with my life and is helping to lead me in then right direction. This has only helped me find out who I really am, what group of kids I want to hang around with. The college life has formed me into a new person, I am nothing like who I was in high school, I am a new fresh happier person now that I have some sense of direction. The main value that I would say has made me tremendously a whole new person is the group of friends I have.
In high school, I hung out with the wrong group of kids. When I moved to New York and met all new friends I chose them very carefully. I put my self around people who do well in life, and are going somewhere. This has helped me decide who I really am and what interests I have. The connections between my values and who I am now, was the inspiration I received from the new group of people I was hanging around. I have learned who I really am and who I want to be.
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