From a Dolls House to Dolls Home

In the presence of social construct, there is an apparent debate of the role and value of women. A standard which often reflects a societyr's cultural standards and level of education. Within the traditional eras (est. prior to modern depiction) women were categorized as inferior to men. Unable to act independently, women were to depend on men in order to complete any task. In the midst of these ideologies Henrik Ibsen, a self-proclaimed humanist, published A Dollr's House a play that sparked controversy due to the role women portrayed. The protagonist, Nora, finds her family in the depths of a household crisis caused by debt. In the hopes of assisting her family in their financial crisis; Nora quickly mobilizes by sacrificing her dignity and adapting as a working woman. By doing so Nora rejects the traditional expectation of women as dependent and helpless. During this time a working woman was rare and seen as a humiliation to the husband, for his inability to fend for his household. Norar's husband soon uncovers Norar's contribution to their instability and is angered by embarrassment. In the virtue of self-worth, Nora abandons social norms-and her family. Modernists address A Dollr's House as a feminist literature, using the playr's neutral perspective of women as independent, dignified, and a contributing member of society.

Henrik Ibsen challenged the social depiction of women, controversy sparked as audiences hated and praised feminine independence through the use of female characters. Critics claimed, the play deterred women through selfish acts of the abandonment for self-growth. The consideration of A Dollr's House as a feminist play is dependent of the standards a society holds as feminist. In 1800r's a feminist ideology was perceived as the empowerment of women as nurturing and loyal to her household in comparison to the modern definition of feminism as the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. The modern ideology of feminism reflects Henrik Ibsenr's moral values of humanism an ideology that disregards genders and emphasizes the injustices embarked by all; despite oner's age, race, or gender. In other words, Ibsen perceived his literary work as much more than a depiction of a woman, his workr's intention was to portray the injustice that anyone may confront. He proclaims his work as humanist, that coincidentally is embarked by a feminist role.

Disregarding Ibsens intentions, A Dollr's House embodies feminist ideologies. The exposure of the injustice done to a woman , and the response she has.As a woman , Nora, claims individuality through her establishment of independence as a contributing member of society. Norar's acts of servitude to her family received a negative backlash from her husband due to pride. It is then when Nora chose to not only abandoned her family but her squeal marriage with Torvald. Nora illustrated ger relationship as being with Torvald is a little like being with papa," (2.217) reflecting her sentiments of inferiority within her marriage. The granted feminine critical-mind, unintentionally empowers a social revolution against the depiction of women as dolls.

Despite the authorr's intentions, A Dolls House left the audiences -in the 1800r's- in dismay. Nora received criticism because of her inability to endure feminine responsibilities. Her characteristic rejected the ideal women, which wear on her persona in the eyes of traditional values. The audience believes Nora's demand for justice disillusioned the expected role of a woman. The modern response to Ibsen humanist literature is of feminist persie. The neutrality of gender abilities diminished the social issue of inequality, Directed towards a culture of male-domination, the play endorses feminism through the neutrality of genders.

Cite this page