Men are superior to women. This controversial statement forms the basis of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, an 1879 play characterizing the journey of self-discovery, self-identity and a search for independence and freedom. The main character Nora struggles to free herself from the strict societal norms and a masculine-dominated household (Al Suhaibani 16). The story is contextualized in the 19th century when societal norms about marriage and familial relationships were litigious. Furthermore, during the same period, feminism had started taking a central stage with women discovering the need for an equal and balanced society. Ibsen based the story on the notion that the world is a male-dominated society and that women need to discover their self-worth
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When the play opens, Nora is childlike. It is because, she happens to be held in a dollhouse where she lives, acts and behaves like a child. Her husband’s domineering stance is perhaps the main reason she has to act like a child in the most whimsical way (Balaky, & Sulaiman 39). When interacting with her husband, Nora always bows down to his demands and has to respect him not just as a husband but because he is more superior than her. However, despite the contextual male dominance characterizing the period when the play was written, Nora happens to have a better understanding of life at the early stages of the play. Notably, she happens to lead a double life. Nora has the perfect knowledge of taking risks and struggling in life. Nora understands her role in the society (Karen 156). She is a good wife, a good mother and a friend to many. Despite having such good attributes, she remains deceptive and frivolous conceivably because she has to play as an equal to men in the …show more content…
She has realized that her life is being wasted away by a male-dominated society and that her opportunities to prosper and remain autonomous may be growing slimmer. Therefore, although some scholars view her as mad at this stage, she is emotionally intelligent, just like the early feminists, and understands her essentiality to break free from the chains of male dominance (Balaky, & Sulaiman 42). Feminists refer to this as “critical social consciousness” (Al Suhaibani 16). For example, she successfully argues why it is significant for a wife to save her sick husband regardless of whether it involves breaching social beliefs. This is an intellectual transformation from a child to a grown woman. It further characterizes the basis of early feminism which was based on the rational concept that women are more like men and deserve a chance and opportunity to prosper (Balaky, & Sulaiman 40). Her previous life was illusion-based and more or less characterized by adherence to limiting traditions. Feminism is founded on the need to discover a woman’s self-worth, identity, and significance in the society. To accomplish this, women have to embark on a journey of self-discovery. This is the foundation that characterizes Nora’s character development. She recognizes the need to abandon confusion and subjugation. In other words, she has a role to ensure that she leads her life in a
When the play opens, Nora is childlike. It is because, she happens to be held in a dollhouse where she lives, acts and behaves like a child. Her husband’s domineering stance is perhaps the main reason she has to act like a child in the most whimsical way (Balaky, & Sulaiman 39). When interacting with her husband, Nora always bows down to his demands and has to respect him not just as a husband but because he is more superior than her. However, despite the contextual male dominance characterizing the period when the play was written, Nora happens to have a better understanding of life at the early stages of the play. Notably, she happens to lead a double life. Nora has the perfect knowledge of taking risks and struggling in life. Nora understands her role in the society (Karen 156). She is a good wife, a good mother and a friend to many. Despite having such good attributes, she remains deceptive and frivolous conceivably because she has to play as an equal to men in the …show more content…
She has realized that her life is being wasted away by a male-dominated society and that her opportunities to prosper and remain autonomous may be growing slimmer. Therefore, although some scholars view her as mad at this stage, she is emotionally intelligent, just like the early feminists, and understands her essentiality to break free from the chains of male dominance (Balaky, & Sulaiman 42). Feminists refer to this as “critical social consciousness” (Al Suhaibani 16). For example, she successfully argues why it is significant for a wife to save her sick husband regardless of whether it involves breaching social beliefs. This is an intellectual transformation from a child to a grown woman. It further characterizes the basis of early feminism which was based on the rational concept that women are more like men and deserve a chance and opportunity to prosper (Balaky, & Sulaiman 40). Her previous life was illusion-based and more or less characterized by adherence to limiting traditions. Feminism is founded on the need to discover a woman’s self-worth, identity, and significance in the society. To accomplish this, women have to embark on a journey of self-discovery. This is the foundation that characterizes Nora’s character development. She recognizes the need to abandon confusion and subjugation. In other words, she has a role to ensure that she leads her life in a