A Doll's House And A Streetcar Named Desire Analysis

“A Dolls House” by Henrik Ibsen and “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams are two well known plays about the male and female roles in old society. They are set before women had rights of their own and the men believed themselves to be superior in every aspect, treating their women more like possessions than people. The man’s role in society was to get a job and work while the women stayed home and take care of housework. The female protagonists, Nora and Blanche, in the plays are very dependent on males. There are many similarities and differences between the character and theme between these two plays. The two plays a depict characters with an appearance different from their reality. In “A Dolls House,” Nora appears to be happy and content with her relationship with her husband, Torvald. Nora learns soon that her happiness has only been an illusion. When Torvald questions if she’s happy the response he gets is a surprise to him, “No, only merry. And you have always been so kind to me. But our home has been nothing but a playroom.” A metaphor to the life she has been living, she feels as if she’s Torvalds doll stuck in a dollhouse. Similar to Nora, Blanche appears to be something shes not. …show more content…
Nora praises her husband, catering to his every need and listening to what he has to say to her. When Torvald calls Nora by one of the many pet names he has for her, Squirrel, she responds. When Torvald asks her, “Not been nibbling sweets,” Nora replies “No, certainly not,” Lying to him to obey his every command. Blanche walks into Stellas house helping herself to liquor and a room. When alone with Stanley taking it upon herself to flirt with him and spray perfume on him. When Stanley goes through Blanches old love letters she replies, “The touch of your hands insults them.” Blanche has no problem with telling Stanley how she feels, she doesn’t let him order her around though he