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Feminism in A Doll's House Essay

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A Puppets Master Theater

In Henry Ibsens play A Doll House, Ibsen tackles the controversial subject of feminist rights by creating two characters who clearly represent the issues from the early nineteenth century. Ibsen identified the expectations of women as typical housewives who are expected to stay at home with the children and tend to their husbands. Written before its time, A Doll House identifies the social strains that women experienced but eventually uncovers the womans right to freedom.

Nora Helmer, the main character in the play is the classic representation of housewives in the nineteenth century. On the surface Nora appears to be a truly happy person who has everything in the world. She has beautiful children who she feeds her attention to when it is convenient for her. Her husband is devoted to her and supports her but does not respect her as a woman. To know youre carefree, utterly carefree; to be able to romp and play with the children, and to keep up a beautiful, charming home-everything just the way Torvald likes it! (56) Noras main role is to keep her husband happy. Everything that she does she keeps Torvald in mind and what his opinions and feelings may be regarding her actions. For a long time hed almost be jealous if I even mentioned any of my old friends back home. So of course I dropped that. But with Dr. Rank I talk a lot about such things, because he likes hearing about them. (75) Nora explains to Mrs. Linde that she cannot talk about her old friends from her past with Torvald without getting him upset and jealous. Nora can talk to her good friends about the joys from her past, but her own husband will not take the time to listen to what was once important to her. Nora is oblivious to the notion that Torvald does not treat her as a human being but instead she is a doll that is being handled by him.

Noras husband Torvald is a very dominating character who treats her like a child. He stands in Noras way for her to truly individualize herself. He gives off the impression that he does not give much thought to Noras feelings. Now, now, the little larks wings mustnt droop. Come on, dont be a sulky squirrel. Nora, guess what I have here. Nora is portrayed as a doll that Torvald controls and dictates. He is pulling all of the strings concerning Noras life. Torvald is exceedingly condescending towards Nora. He talks to her like a child and clearly does not respect her as the wife and mother of his children. From now on happiness doesnt matter; all that matters is saving the bits and pieces, the appearance (106) When Torvald becomes aware of Noras dishonesty with him he shows what is truly important to him. This is when Nora finally sees that she is nothing but a doll to him who must keep up the appearance of a happy devoted housewife.

The feminist issues in A Doll House are portrayed in how Nora is treated by Torvald. Throughout the play, Torvald calls Nora patronizing pet names such as squirrel and my little songbird. He never talks to her as an adult until the end of the play. Nora is controlled by Torvald and is advised to do things the way Torvald wants them. Surely my sweet tooth hasnt been running riot in town today, has she? (46) Torvald interrogates Nora about her eating habits showing that he is the one in charge. Nora likes to indulge in sweets but has to keep it hidden from Torvald because he has forbidden them. In Act One when she confronted by Dr. Rank with the macaroons she lies and tells him that Kristine brought them over. This shows that she does not have the freedom that she believes she has. Nora has always been dictated by a male figure in her life such as her father and her husband. She has never had the freedom to make her own decisions. She could never break off and be her own person. Instead she had to shape herself to be accepted by the important males surrounding her. I was exactly the same, your little lark, your doll, that youd have to handle with double care now that Id turned out so brittle and frail. (113) Nora chooses to leave Torvald after his true colors come out against her. She realizes that shes always been his doll that he managed his power over.

Feminism is a dominant theme in A Doll House which is apparent through the oppression that Nora experienced through her husband. Although Nora ends up leaving her children behind she shows to be a strong person for it. She is giving the children a better life knowing that she could not possible make a good mother for them. Nora does not know who she is because she has always been like a pet to the people around her. She has always done everything for other people and never for herself. Nora fulfilled all the typical housewife duties and had put on a brilliant performance but in reality she was just a doll to the important males in her life.

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