Gender Roles
A Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen (1879)
A Doll's House, explores the restricted and traditional role of women during the time period that the play takes place. The power imbalance between men and women during this time period is also exhibited through the characters of Nora and Torvald Helmer.
Throughout the play, Nora is treated as a child or like a doll by Torvald. For example, he often uses pet names for her such as , "skylark" and "little squirrel". He also scolds her like a child and is constantly reminding her of her irresponsibility when it comes to handling money. The way that he treats her is his way of exhibiting the control that he has over her. The men having control over money and being very career driven was traditional for that time and the women were responsible for taking care of the household. There was a lack of individuality for women during the time that the play takes place. Nora appears to go along with the way that she is treated by referring to herself as "little Nora" and being playful with Torvald when she is asking for money. Nora embodies the appearances of the perfect housewife without any experience of the outside world. She focuses on the children, how she looks and making sure that the household runs smoothly. Nora also ensures Torvald that she would never disobey her husband when she is questioned about eating macarroons.
It is revealed in the play that Nora is more experienced and has more control that previously mentioned. She borrowed money without her husband's knowledge, which was unheard of at the time. When Nora reveals what she did to Mrs. Linde, she refers to her borrowing of the money as fun and it was almost like being a man.
"Oh, sometimes I was so tired, so tired. But it was tremendous fun all the same, sitting there working and earning money like that.
Almost like being a man." ()
As the play progresses, she begins to clearly see her role in the marriage and becomes increasingly unhappy with her role as a woman. She makes the decision to free herself from her oppressive situation by leaving the domestic life behind.
"I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as much as you are—or at least I’m going to try to be. I know most people
agree with you, Torvald, and that’s also what it says in books. But I’m not content anymore with what most people say, or what it says
in books. I have to think things for myself, and get things clear." ( )
The character of Nora embodies the concept of feminism and courage. She embraces her individuality when she decides to leave her family. We don't know if she ever came back or if she sees her children but her decision to leave her unhappiness behind took a fair amount of courage because of the rarity of a woman breaking free from the traditional role.
Throughout the play, Nora is treated as a child or like a doll by Torvald. For example, he often uses pet names for her such as , "skylark" and "little squirrel". He also scolds her like a child and is constantly reminding her of her irresponsibility when it comes to handling money. The way that he treats her is his way of exhibiting the control that he has over her. The men having control over money and being very career driven was traditional for that time and the women were responsible for taking care of the household. There was a lack of individuality for women during the time that the play takes place. Nora appears to go along with the way that she is treated by referring to herself as "little Nora" and being playful with Torvald when she is asking for money. Nora embodies the appearances of the perfect housewife without any experience of the outside world. She focuses on the children, how she looks and making sure that the household runs smoothly. Nora also ensures Torvald that she would never disobey her husband when she is questioned about eating macarroons.
It is revealed in the play that Nora is more experienced and has more control that previously mentioned. She borrowed money without her husband's knowledge, which was unheard of at the time. When Nora reveals what she did to Mrs. Linde, she refers to her borrowing of the money as fun and it was almost like being a man.
"Oh, sometimes I was so tired, so tired. But it was tremendous fun all the same, sitting there working and earning money like that.
Almost like being a man." ()
As the play progresses, she begins to clearly see her role in the marriage and becomes increasingly unhappy with her role as a woman. She makes the decision to free herself from her oppressive situation by leaving the domestic life behind.
"I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as much as you are—or at least I’m going to try to be. I know most people
agree with you, Torvald, and that’s also what it says in books. But I’m not content anymore with what most people say, or what it says
in books. I have to think things for myself, and get things clear." ( )
The character of Nora embodies the concept of feminism and courage. She embraces her individuality when she decides to leave her family. We don't know if she ever came back or if she sees her children but her decision to leave her unhappiness behind took a fair amount of courage because of the rarity of a woman breaking free from the traditional role.