Ibsen Gender Roles

Throughout time, drastic changes have occurred such as fashion, technology, costs and standards of living, and much more. The only partial exception upon this evolutionary change, is societies view of relationships between a man and a woman. Henrik Ibsen’s drama, A Doll House, illustrates the ups and downs between the marriage of a husband that is more focused on societies thoughts and a wife that is fed up with playing the roles society, and her husband, has set. Furthermore, the drama emphasizes the point that much of how society is run, even in today’s world, is based upon strong masculine influence. Such that, females are still for the most part considered underneath, or second place, next to males. Despite this drama being dated in certain aspects, much of the play holds truth to how society envisions one another through different genders, materialism, and clothing options. Although the play can relate to many women and men in today’s society, there are certain aspects that Ibsen mentions in his drama that are …show more content…
Gender role of man vs. woman, is one of the most prevalent themes throughout the entire drama. In the end of the play, Helmer states, “Before all else, you’re a wife and mother” (Ibsen 1296). In addition, Nora responds stating, “I don’t believe in that anymore. I believe that, before all else, I’m a human being, no less than you — or anyway, I ought to try to become one.” (Ibsen 1296). These two lines of simple exchange between husband and wife illustrates the struggles countless women go through everyday. In which the woman is only known, or is only best at, being a stay at home mother that attends to the children, house, and satisfying the husbands wants and needs. Whereas, men are set up to be known as the ‘leader’ of a household that does as they please along with providing