Feminism in a Doll House Essay

Feminism in A Doll House In Henrik Ibsens A Doll House Nora Helmer is a undercoat example of a womans social occasion in the 19th one C, that being that she was more for specify than anything else. Noras preserve, Torvald, treats his married woman like a living razzing and uses pet names for her rather than her literal name further establishing her position as nonhing more than a toy. For Torvald. Noras purpose in her own home is to be subservient in a mental capacity as her preserve often regards her more as a child than an adult by punishing her for simple, silly matters practically(prenominal) as eating sweets.This treatment, however, is not overbold for Nora as it is revealed that her father treated her kinda similarly. When the turn of events opens Nora has except returned from Christmas shopping and we are given a description of her home, A comfortable room, tastefully but not expensive furnished. (Doll act I). Further explanation reveals details which tell the interview that the financial situation for Nora and Torvald is good. As with most things the Helmer home is nothing more than a facade for Nora.One author says, The house is a mere container, or shuttles house, for Nora, who spends her quantify entertaining or nervously accommodating (as her nickname the squirrel implies) her demanding keep up rather than decorating, designing, or even taking charge of her own life (Connie Pedoto). Its from this that the proofreader first gets the idea that appearance means a lot to the Helmer family. Early on it is made precise evident by means of the conversation with husband that she is meant to be the face of their marriage.Ibsen introduces the fact that Nora is not allowed sweets something that seems strange in this day and age, but in the 19th century was not uncommon. It tests the power a husband had oer his wife in that time as well as the submissive behavior women adopted in order to have a proper marriage. Ibsen also reveals that Nora and Torvalds children have been raised by a nanny their whole lives further establishing Noras role as a trophy. Because Nora has been absent in the role of raising her children it is safe to say that she did not have the ability to be a proper mother, ot because she did not love her children, but because she never had the chance to be a proper mother. When she is showing Torvald all of the tremendous toys she has purchased for their children it is limpid that her excitement stems from the fact that it is the only thing she can do in order to show her love to them. This can be compared to Noras belief that money fixes everything and this is shown when the author writes Yes, yes, it will. But come present and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheapLook, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword and a horse and a trumpet for Bob and a doll and dollys bedstead for Emmy,they are very plain, but anyway she will soon push through them in pieces. And here are dress-len gths and handkerchiefs for the maids old Anne ought really to have something better (Doll act I). Though the Helmers have not always had money to spend in such a manner it is obvious that Nora has taken this newfound fortune as a way to express her love and gratitude to those around her through gifts rather than words or physical affection.When Mrs. Linde is introduced the readers are given a different view of women in this society. Nora must hide every crime she has committed, whether that be the forgery of her fathers signature or sneaking a macaroon, because she is married, while Mrs. Linde no longer has a husband to answer to. Mrs. Linde is treated quite differently than Nora as she is widowed and because of that the expectations that are placed on married women no longer assume to her.She is given the opportunity to work at a bank in the position that was once held by Krogstad. This is surprising as during this time it was the peak of womens suffrage and women were not usually allowed to hold positions that a man did let alone replace one. When Nora sees the freedom that her childhood friend has acquired upon losing her husband the resolve she had in keeping her enigma approximately the forgery begins to wane though the audience does not see this until much later.Torvalds treatment of Nora may seem harsh in comparison to the relationship between husband and wife these days, but at the time it was very common. This is why Nora plays along and enjoys the little games her husband plays with her. At the end of the play Noras misdeeds come to light and she is forced to admit what she has done. Trovald reacts as expected and verbally abuses her before deciding that the matter should be forgotten, all is forgiven and they will go back to their normal lives.It is at this point that Nora realizes that the life and marriage she has been fighting so hard to protect by keeping her secret from coming to light is beyond saving. Though she this is not the first time s he has defied her husband this is the first time she has done so without trying to conceal the act. When she decides to collapse it is obvious that it is a shock to Torvald, whom has always believed his wife to be obedient, especially when he gives her the chance to forget all about it.It is also shocking for the audience as up to this point Nora has made it quite clear that she believes she would die without the financial support of her husband. Nora was a typical wife in the 19th century. Nothing she did was uncommon and the fact that she came to see the truth about her marriage speaks volumes about the times and political issues surrounding women in those times. Joan Tempelton, author of Ibsens Women, says Noras doll house and exit from it have long been principal international symbols for womens issues (111).At the beginning of the play the audience would never expect Nora to make such a bold choice as to leave her husband and children, but as other characters are introduced th eir help or, in Krogstads case, blackmail leads her to the finish that she and her family would be better off without her as she has realized her true role in her marriage which is that she doesnt have one. She is nothing more than a living doll in her own home and it took her husband discovering the truth, that his wife is no as obedient as he believes, to bring her to this conclusion.Mrs. Linde is the opposite of Nora. She shows the freedom s of a woman not married. Though times are hard for her as she was left with no money it is obvious that she prefers it that way. For Mrs. Linde marriage was financial security, but now that that has been taken from her she takes it upon herself to find a hypothesise and uses the friendship she has with Nora, whom is still married and subservient to her husband, in the hopes that she will be able to coax Torvald into get Mrs. Linde a job.Nora does this as a favor to a friend, but when Krogstad threatens to reveal the truth about the forgery Nora is quick to beg Torvald not to give Mrs. Linde the position that formerly belonged to Krogstad. She does his because, as a woman, she knows men to be the more dominant sex and fully expects him to go through with it. It is surprising to see Torvald deny Noras request, not because she is his wife, but because Mrs. Linde is a woman and it was no very common in the 19th century to be chosen for a job over a man.Feminism is a large vox of Henrik Ibsens A Doll House and perfectly portrays the role of women in the 19th century. Through Noras journey of self-discovery she realizes that her father had treated her like a delicate china doll just as her husband does now that she is a full grown adult and at the conclusion of the play she takes it upon herself to turn tail from that cycle and become her own person. Like Mrs. Linde Nora takes this opportunity to become her own person and frees herself from her controlling marriage.