A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen: Play Analysis

Superior Essays
In Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House”, Ibsen portrays the roles of society and gender inequalities between men and women of the time. While reading the play, the reader has an eye opening view on the inequalities of men and women, and the idea of feminism. The play reveals the relationships, and ideals between both women, and men. The main character Nora Helmer struggles to keep up with the societal gender roles, and be the best wife she can be, to her conservative husband. The play revolutionized the way women were portrayed, as mentioned by Michael Levenson; “A Doll 's House created a sensation, as its performances spread through Europe in the 1880s. It confirmed and heightened the feminist struggle and attracted as many enemies as friends”(Levenson). …show more content…
If Torvald, and the gender roles would be less conservative, the outcome of the play would be much different. Present day gender roles of society are much different to how they were depicted in Ibsen’s “The Doll House, Henrik Ibsen portrayed all of 19th centuries’ gender inequalities ”. The stereotypes set for women of the time give no freedom, and make women submissive to men in every aspect. Also, women’s rights in the present day have improved resulting in women being treated equal with men. Lastly, gender roles have created a societal male dominant patriarchy, which in Ibsen’s play was the foundation of the story. Henrik Ibsen portrays the 19th century norms, perfectly to the readers and watchers of the play. Marriage was regarded to as very important; women did not just leave their husbands. Ibsen wrote this play in order to depict the issues of society, and how men and women have to be authentic to each …show more content…
There are many single women who choose themselves and their children over an abusive, and unfair household. Reading Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll House” today, a reader can see how far women’s rights have come to. Regardless of various family issues women have to face today, in the end there is always a way out. It took Nora very long to realize how toxic her relationship with Torvald was, and when she decided to finally leave him Torvald was in shock. In today’s world, a woman does not have to portray herself as her husband wants her to be, as shown in the play, “NORA: Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants” (Ibsen

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