Ibsens A Dolls House being Dated Essay - 1091 Words

Ibsens A Dolls House being Dated To answer the above, one needs to be aware of when the drama was first written (1879) and how audiences were shocked at Ibsens radical perception of the social roles of husband and wife in middle class society at that time. The role of middle class women at that time was simple, they bore children and kept house in a very clear manner, albeit with the aid of a housekeeper or maid. They were subservient to men and were considered accoutrements and playthings. This comes across very strongly in the manner that Torvald Helmer addresses Nora. The main thrust of the play has a lot to do with gender relations in modern society. It offers us, in the actions of Nora, a strengthening of the†¦show more content†¦Many of the cherished ideals of middle class life need to be on display. If they are not, then one assumes you to be not of the right class. Such people, outsiders, lead desperate lives and this is clearly defined in the aspect of Krogstadt and Mrs Linde. Contrary to the Helmers apparent health, Ibsen colours these two as downtrodden who have prematurely aged. In fact, Nora has difficulty recognising Mrs Linde when she arrives at the house. We learn that Kristine has been widowed and is struggling. Krogstadt too is struggling. Kristine remarks how he has changed. Nora explains that he was married but, is now a widower with lots of children He remarks to Kristine about andindiscretion and how every opening back into respectability is barred. He considers his job at the Bank to be his first step on the ladder back into respectability. One has to ask, how is this different from today. The other testimony to take into consideration is that of Dr Rank. He is by any measure, successful, rich and well respected. Ibsen, cleverly describes his exterior as such and yet we find that he is dying from an incurable disease that does not affect this exterior, but slowly eats away from the inside. Torvalds attitude on learning of the impending death of Rank is dismissive even though we assume them to be friends. In the case of Torvald, it is easy to dismiss him as a fool because he seems to be unaware of Noras indiscretions. I take him to beShow MoreRelated Comparing the Portrayal of Women in A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler1757 Words   |  8 PagesPortrayal of Women in A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The extent to which Ibsen directly sympathized with feminists is still debated, but this is somewhat irrelevant when considering his portrayal of women. Ibsen had a deep understanding of the nature of women and a strong interest in the manner in which women were treated by society. This resulted in the creation of female protagonists such as Nora Helmer, in A Dolls House, and Hedda Gabler, in a work of the same name. The characterRead MoreA Doll s House By Henrik Ibsen1454 Words   |  6 Pagesdancing, and taking care of the household. They were deterred from being too educated because it was considered unfeminine. Once they find and marry their husband, women would stay home, raise the children, and look after the home. Nora, the main character of A Doll’s House is expected to be a perfect wife and mother. She goes against these expectations and harbors a secret that could change her life for the better. In A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen uses Noraâ€⠄¢s secret to give her agency that women duringRead MoreReflective Statement : A Doll s House1786 Words   |  8 PagesReflective Statement: A Doll’s House Before the interactive orals I did not quite understand why it was such a huge deal that a women left her husband. In today’s world that is normal not to really be thought of as a big deal. So when I learned that the play was boycotted and not viewed in certain places because of the last scene I didn’t understand why. The interactive orals helped me realize exactly why people acted the way they did. During that time period women were not allowed to do anythingRead MoreA Doll House by Henrik Ibsen7379 Words   |  30 PagesMa. Jennifer S. Yap Dr. Sherwin Perlas World Literature January 14, 2012 A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen Translated by Rolf Fjelde I. Introduction During the late nineteenth century, women were enslaved in their gender roles and certain restrictions were enforced on them by a male dominant culture. Every woman was raised believing that they had neither self-control nor self-government but that they must yield to the control of a stronger gender. John Stuart Mill wrote in his essay, â€Å"The SubjectionRead MoreEvolution or Revolution - Recurring ideas in Ibsen, ONeill and Shepard3024 Words   |  13 Pagesdrama, this is illustrated through the influence of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen on American playwright Eugene ONeill. ONeill once wrote, quot;Not long ago I read all of Ibsens plays again. The same living truth is there. Only to fools with a superficial eye cocked to detect the incidental can they have anything dated or outworn about them. As dramas revealing the souls of men and women they are as great to-day as they will be a hundred years from now.quot; (Manheim p.24). ONeill and his