Essay On The Role Of Women In A Doll's House

Although Nora is secretive about the crime she committed, which is forging her father’s name in order to borrow money; she does it to save her husband. During Act I when Nora is speaking to Mrs. Linde about someday revealing to Torvald about the secret loan Nora exclaims: “One day I might, yes. Many years from now, when I’ve lost my looks a little. Don’t laugh. I mean, of course, a time will come when Torvald is not as devoted to me, not quite so happy when I dance for him, and dress for him, and play with him.” (Act I, pg. 12). This quotation shows that even early on in the play Nora understands the reality of her marriage, and her existence to Torvald. Therefore, Act I is merely an introduction to the overall overarching theme of independence. Act I shows the obedient side of Nora, until later scenes when she reveals her independence. Torvald attempts to oppress his wife, but his actions do not stop Nora’s independent thoughts from forming.

During the time in which the play took place society frowned upon women asserting themselves.  Women were supposed to play a role in which they supported their husbands, took care of their children,

The enforcement of specific gender roles by societal standards in 19th century married life proved to be suffocating. Women were objects to perform those duties for which their gender was thought to have been created: to remain complacent, readily accept any chore and complete it “gracefully” (Ibsen 213). Contrarily, men were the absolute monarchs over their respective homes and all that dwelled within. In Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, Nora is subjected to moral degradation through her familial role, the consistent patronization of her husband and her own assumed subordinance. Ibsen belittles the role of the housewife through means of stage direction, diminutive pet names and through Nora’s interaction with her morally ultimate

When we think about dolls, we think about being very playful and childish. Nora Helmer is just that, a playful, childish person. She is in her own little dream world. Since Nora does not get out much and does not have a job, she is very clueless about the outside world. She is married and she has three children. Nora is married to Torvald Helmer. At the start of the play, Christmas is just around the corner, and Torvald is promoted at the bank. Nora is excited when she finds out about Torvald’s promotion Nora is a very dependent character in the beginning of the play. Nora is seen as a pushover by everyone. Her husband uses her and expects her to do exactly what he says, but that does not always happen. In the play Nora changes a lot throughout.

She points out to Torvald that their marriage was a clear failure when she questions Torvald, “How could you ever teach me to be a proper wife? Your wife?” (Ibsen 82). To this question Torvald is unable to provide a reasonable answer hence proving Nora’s point about the failure of their marriage. Further, the sudden change in Nora’s behavior during the second half of the play is significant as it symbolizes her clear intent to depart from the house in search of her inner-self.

In A Doll’s House by Ibsen, Torvald Helmer demonstrates Nora and his relationship through his symbolic pet names for Nora. A squirrel, songbird and skylark are some pet names that occur many times in the play. These pet names are a symbolic of Torvald relationship with Nora and the way he views her and also the fact that he does not take her seriously or view her as an individual capable of serious thoughts and decision making. Torvald treats her like his own daughter and pet because Nora seemed to be childish with no knowledge of the real world in the play. First of all, a songbird is one of the pet names Torvald has for Nora, "Didn't you say that no one had been here? My little songbird must never do that again. A songbird needs a clean beak to warble with.

A doll house is based on Nora understanding how she feels about her relationship with her husband Torvald. The play opens up with Nora arriving home from Christmas shopping, excited to show her husband what she has purchased. Torvald will be getting a promotion at his bank so Nora feels that she gets to splurge a little on gifts. Torvald calls Nora a child, spendthrift, and a lark for her actions on spending a lot of money. Torvald teases Nora and compares her to her father by saying the following:

She knows that her decisions must be based on whether or not Torvald would approve. The phrases ‘Torvald has to live in decent style’ and ‘…having things just as Torvald likes to have them’ further reinforce this idea, as they show that everything Nora does, she does in order to please her husband. She does not have opinions or likings of her own, as she has adapted to a certain lifestyle where her own opinions and ideas do not matter. Therefore, she has acquired the same tastes as Torvald, and since she has constantly been undermined and ignored, she no longer knows how to have an opinion of her own. Since she is so accustomed to obeying her husband’s every order, she is unable to make decisions without first having his approval, which shows that although Nora is aware of her subservient role, she does not feel capable of surviving on her own without the financial and emotional support of Torvald.

Regarding the role of Nora in the play "A Dollhouse," we can see that even after the centuries this is a dominating male society that rules a woman. The character of Nora was completely controlled by the Torvald that was his husband. All of the thoughts and actions of Torvald were the actions of Nora; in fact, she was a puppet and was entirely dependent on his master for all of the actions. Due to such kind of dependence the Torvald was more interested in her physically rather than emotionally. She didn't know how to respect herself she just uses to please him at any cost. Torvald only knows to command the Nora. He was not only demanding and physically sick but also don't trust her financially. According to him, she was too immature and incapable to handle the importance matter of finance. He considers her a little squirrel and use to give her money occasionally and gets worried that she will waste them on any green stuff. In short, the overall duties of Nora were like that of a slave rather than being

In some ways, deceit is presented as a corrupting and poisoning force in the people of A Doll’s House life. However, in Nora’s case, it is clear that the motivation for her deceitful ways were out of pure love for her husband and her family. Her willingness to lie for the good proves the “doll” version of her to be just an act for her husband. She

It seems that Nora has had enough of Torvald’s rude and selfish remarks such as telling guests in their home that she can be “terribly stubborn” or insulting Nora’s father saying that he has a “lack of total principle” because he assumes that Nora’s character is based off of the characteristics of her father. Furthermore, he goes farther with his comments saying, “ You will remain here in my house. That is taken for granted. But you will not be allowed to raise the children. I could not trust you with them.” or, “You must rely on me. I will advise you and give you directions. I wouldn’t be a man if this female helplessness didn’t make you twice as attractive to me." I do not think there is another person who has not had enough of Torvald’s criticism towards Nora. He seems to believe that whatever comes out of his mouth is true, and in the end with Nora replying with, ““Everything you do is right, Torvald." without consideration. However, later on in this act Nora finally stands up to Torvald. In realization she says to Torvald, ““The whole reason for my existence was to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But that’s what you wanted...It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life.” She finally recognizes the manipulation Torvald has done throughout her life. Additonally she says, “I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was Papa’s doll-child; and in this house the children have

Nora, the wife and mother who held little status in her own home, was a doll that was played with by her husband Torvald.  Torvald, a lawyer, gave his wife materialistic gifts but no true heartfelt notions.  He ran the house and his workplace, whereas Nora had little power in her house or the outside role.  Nora was enlightened to the idea that she has a right to independence when Torvald found out about her fraud.  The way his oratory was perceived shows Nora that Torvald only cares about his status and reputation, thus convincing herself as well as him that it was necessary for Nora to leave.

As I said before the title is aptly named A doll’s House this is because Torvald Treats Nora like a doll. Torvald frequently calls Nora by silly little nicknames like Skylark, Lark, and Squirrel (1346-1347; act 1). Later when Torvald learns of Nora’s predicament

Later in the play things start getting complicated for Nora. Her husband Torvald had become Mr. Krogstad boss at work, and Torvald wanted to fire Mr. Krogstad. This is when Mr. Krogstad starts to blackmail Nora. He wants Nora to stop Torvald from firing him. If she does not, Mr. Krogstad was going to tell Torvald her secret. This should have been the perfect time for Nora to tell the truth to her husband, but she believed that telling Torvald the truth will ruin their relationship. Nora says to her friend Mrs. Linde “Torvald, with all his masculine pride – how painfully humiliating for him if he ever found out he was in debt to me. That would ruin our relationship. Our beautiful, happy home would never be the same” (Iben 802)

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, feminism is defined as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” and viewed as “organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests”. During the early 1960s, many women began to advocate for feminist rights and social equality. In 1962, Marilyn Monroe passed away, and the following year journalist Gloria Steinem auditioned undercover to become a Playboy Bunny, through which she exploited the dirty, male-run system (Cochrane, 2013). Pre-feminism, men were often in control of the actions and decisions women made, and they usually had to approve and oversee any legal matters the women were involved in. The men in the household were considered the workers and the breadwinners, and women were viewed as the homemakers and caregivers. Feminism argues that the roles can actually be reversed. Feminism was also marked by the literature of Sylvia Plath, who passed away in 1963. Speaking of feminism and literature, Henrik Ibsen, Norwegian playwright, is credited with having written perhaps the first feminist play: A Doll’s House. Through the independent decisions made by the female characters Mrs. Nora Helmer, Mrs. Kristine Linde, and Anne Marie, Ibsen revolutionized the role of women in society, as well as their rights to take control of their own lives.