The Feminist Movement in A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen...

The Feminist Movement in A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen In Henrik Ibsens, A Dolls House, the character of Nora Helmer goes through the dramatic transformation of a kind and loving housewife, to a desperate and bewildered woman, whom will ultimately leave her husband and everything she has known. Ibsen uses both the characters of Torvald and Nora to represent the tones and beliefs of 19th century society. By doing this, Ibsen effectively creates a dramatic argument that continues to this day; that of feminism. We are introduced in Act I with Nora returning from Christmas shopping. Ibsen utilizes this time for dramatic purposes of the Christian holidays and to show the struggle between a middle class marriage. Nora plans on†¦show more content†¦Yes, very-that is if you actually hung onto money I give you, and you actually used it to buy yourself something. (Ibsen 1507). Later in Act I, her friend Mrs. Linde visits Nora. Even in their conversation Mrs. Linde comments on Noras childish behavior. Well my heavens - a little needlework and such - Nora, youre just a child. (Ibsen 1511). Nora quickly defends herself, in some sense to regain her standing within her own ranks. Ive also got something to be proud and happy for. Im the one who saved Torvalds life. (Ibsen 1511). By doing this Nora is secretly undermining society and providing for her husband. In contrast to society beliefs at the time, shouldnt a wife provide for her husband in his sickness? Thus creating an interesting paradox passed upon wedding vows. Apparently not or Nora would have confided in Torvald sooner. Mrs. Linde: And youve never confided... (Ibsen 1512). Towards the end of Act I, Krogstad enters. Krogstad is the man whom Nora borrowed the 4,000 crowns to finance the trip to southern Italy. Nora continues to act as a child. Shall we play? What shall we play? Hide and seek?... (Ibsen 1577). Krogstad asks a favor of Nora. Would you please make sure that I keep my subordinate position in the bank? (Ibsen 1518) By doing this Krogstad tries to utilize the famine influence that women who are married to men of power often have, yet another role society demands of women.Show MoreRelatedThe Feminist Movement Of Henrik Ibsen s Ibsen 1555 Words   |  7 PagesGranted that, Ibsen had disclosed that he was not consciously writing the play to support the feminist movement, nor did he have any intentions to motivate women to follow Nora’s footsteps. He actually had treated a Scandinavian who had followed Nora’s footsteps distastefully, and criticized her because she took her child when running away, instead of running away by herself (Templeton 35). The reason for his hypocritical attitude to the woman was to protect himself from the many critics that wereRead MoreNora s Escape From Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House Essay2552 Words   |  11 PagesHonors Modern Literature 7 October 2016 Nora’s Escape Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House follows Nora’s struggles to escape the firm grasp of her domineering husband. Throughout the novel, Nora is depicted as obedient to her husband, Torvald, and never dares to stand up to him. Torvald’s condescension and thinly veiled misogyny continuously confines Nora to her strict 19th century gender role. The title of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House mirrors Nora’s sense of oppression and lack of agency as sheRead MoreEssay on Feminist Protagonists in The Awakening and A Dolls House755 Words   |  4 PagesThe Feminist Protagonists in The Awakening and A Dolls House    The idea of womens liberation is a common theme in both Kate Chopins The Awakening and Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. 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Ibsen uses figures to make the audience understand theirR ead MoreHenrik Ibsens A Dolls House1529 Words   |  7 PagesSwitch Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House questions the gender roles of women in society through its characters, namely Nora Helmer and Christina Linden, before and after marriage. What are gender roles exactly? Gender roles are the combination is specific gender stereotypes that consist of the perceptions of the society of what an ideal male/female should act like (Lindsey and Christy). This paper aims to question whether the gender roles of Nora Helmer and Christina Linden of Henrik Ibsens A Dolls HouseRead MoreA Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen1725 Words   |  7 PagesIn the late 19th century, the feminist movement was beginning to take shape. Issues that fall under the feminist movement include reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, womens suffrage, sexual harassment, and sexual violence (Donovon 85). To begin with, feminists were concerned with the social barriers that limited their rights such as being seen as less than a man, uneducated, or only to be a housewife. As the movement built more support, it began taking a politicalRead MoreA Doll s House By Henrik Ibsen1135 Words   |  5 PagesIn the play, â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen, and the novel, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, the two protagonists named Nora Helmer and Edna Pontillier depict feminist ideals during the Victorian era in their struggle for independence, both sexually and emotionally. Nora and Edna are feminists in the late 1800s, trapped in an era and a society dictated by men. Both works parallel together and are significant because they show how Edna and Nora awaken, as their roles and self-realization progressRead More Ibsen, Strindberg and Feminism Essay examples2824 Words   |  12 Pageslate 19th century Naturalism was emerging as the primary movement in literature of that period. The movement was influenced heavily by the discoveries made in politics, sciences and psychology of the time. Discoveries such as Darwin’s evolutionary theories, Marx’s Das Kapital and even Freud’s research on the psychology of the human were creating shock and upset and began to revolutionised society’s outlook on the world. The naturalist movement in literature also coincided with the beginnings of women’sRead MoreA Dolls House Feminism Essay1763 Words   |  8 PagesHowever, there were some that wrote about feminist issues without realizing it, such as Henrik Ibsen. In his play ‘A Doll’s House’ Henrik approaches the topic of marriage, gender roles within marriage, and whether a not a women becomes an extension of her husband once she is married; it brings about an interesting debate about women individuality in marriage. And by writing this, he caused a spark a debate that is still being held today. Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ effectively questions and shattersRead More Comparing the Truth in A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler Essay3077 Words   |  13 PagesTrut h Exposed in A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   No other dramatist had ever meant so much to the women of the stage, claimed Elizabeth Robins, the actress who performed the title role in the English-language premier of Hedda Gabler in London in 1891 (Farfan 60). Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian dramatist and poet whose works are notorious for their unveiling of the truths that society preferred to keep hidden. Ibsen was sensitive to womens issues and through his works, he advocated for