Literary criticism: ADH Critique
Henrik Isben is one of the more well-known early drama writers and is an individual who has been studied for his excelling playwrights. The prime example being A Dolls House and its wide array of controversial issues. One of those issues primarily being the lower treatment of women as a group instead of as individuals. He, as a writer, shines the spotlight on these issues with full intent to inform and not to reform.
Isben wants to highlight how crude not having equality for women is, especially when a portion of them are smarter than a portion of the opposite gender and vice versa. He shows Noras husband in an attempt to emphasize the negative part of the non-feminism side. He shows him as a belittling man to his squanderbird and how he treats her with little respect.(A Dolls House) He does so by using little nicknames that remind her of problems she has while she retains herself from pointing out his flaws. Although, it is understandable that she doesnt point out his flaws with all the lies and guilt she has stacked up on her marriage. Assuming that this was the point of having Noras husband as a character, he showed the crudeness very discreetly and elegantly.
He also emphasizes the fact that women dont have as much credibility and respect outside of the home, especially at jobs. Men were portrayed as the moneymakers while woman were just the mothers. For example, when Noras friend from school was married her husband was in complete control of his business. However, when he passed away the whole thing collapsed. He didnt see her as ever needing to live without him and that is the impotence that was intended to be portrayed. At the beginning of the story, Nora seemed to like the lifestyle. As the play continued, she realized her need for independence, which is why I believe she took the lending into her own hands. By lending I of course mean the stealing of her fathers signature.
Gandhi once said, Be the change you want to see in the world. Isbens way of being the change was writing about it and he wanted to see change but did not want to be the cause of it. A wiser way to describe him is He addressed problems in society while never going so far as to offer a solution.(Courtney Gray 1) While he did not create solutions to problems, he sure did make a change in the world.
I feel Isben portrays his views very well though his characters. His understanding of the struggle between the different sexes of his time is immense. Through A Dolls House and surely many other plays by the drama author, he shows both sides to an argument. He presents both sides well, but slightly biased, and gives you the information he feels should be broadcasted.
Works Cited
Gray, Courtney MaEd. A Criticism of the Literary Criticism of Henrik Ibsens A Doll House. Mrs. Grays Webpage 18 March 2011, Corinth Holders High School, 26 March 2011, http://johnston.k12.nc.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=27012&catfilter=6336#showDoc
Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll House. 1879. World Literature: Third edition. 2001.
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