Gender Issues In A Doll's House

There are “two kinds of moral laws, …one in man and a completely different one in a woman. They do not understand each other ….” Said dramatist Henrik Ibsen. This dilemma holds completely true for Nora Helmer and Torvald Helmer in the literary work “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen. The play “A doll House” by Henrik Ibsen explored the gender role in the nineteenth century, an abnormal relationship between Nora and Torvald, and brought a social structure which opens an eye of the viewer and made them think about it. It focuses on Nora, who sacrifices for her husband’s life by secretly borrowing money and leaves him on realizing that her existence as a woman was like a “doll” without any independence or identity in this world. Nora is rebellious character, who struggles to oppose her moral values and find her own identity in the male centered society. Nora can be characterized as an immature, selfish, and perfidious character, whose actions represents her illogical thinking and childish behavior to satisfy her …show more content…
In Helmer’s house, Nora does whatever it takes her to make Torvald happy such as wearing dresses of his choice, dancing, and doing other domestic duties. When Nora married Torvald, Torvlad’s financial situation was extremely serious that Nora has to work at odd jobs such as needlework and embroidery. At that time, Torvald got sick because he drove him terribly to work from day to night; therefore, doctor advised him to travel south. In that situation, Nora’s ego (a realistic and rational decision making component of human psyche) made her think logically about saving her husband’s life by borrowing money even though it was against Torvald’s and societies values to take a debt. She did not think about what was wrong or right, she borrowed money because that was the only realistic way to save her husband’s life and satisfy her