GENDER ISSUES

A Doll House - Gender Issues

A Doll House - Gender Issues

Introduction

The study, A Doll House, is written by Henrik Ibsen. A doll house was one of the first works of drama to seriously take on contemporary social issues that particularly include the gender issue from the society in a realistic point of view. The play shocked various people as it reflected situations and characters as in the normal life. The most important character is the Nora who was neither antagonist nor protagonist; however, the character of Nora id based on the blend of flaws and good characteristics in the similar way as any actual person. The husband of Nora is also a difficult character as it is complex to be called either bad or good. In this view, A Doll House presents a social issue that is gender issue which is complex and difficult as well. Thus, one of the most noticeable issues that Henrik Ibsen reflects was the gender roles in the late nineteenth century.

Discussion

The play deals with the transformation of society which reflects drastic change in circumstances for the marriage and family. The main character is Nora who lives in an outwardly idyllic marriage with her husband Torvald and their three young children. She feels trapped and smothered in the marriage where she is constantly forced to play the role of the perfect wife for not upsetting Torvald and ruin his chances of further promotion within the bank.

According to contemporary community standards woman was subordinate to the man and Nora could not take a leading role in the home without attracting attention. Eventually she gets enough and leaves Torvald and the idyllic marriage to stand on its own as a strong, independent woman, completely in time with the hot debates on women's equality with man (Ibsen, 16-59).

When A Doll's House premiered in Copenhagen in 1879, it became an instant scandal success with its radical action with the message of gender equality. The purpose of Ibsen for this piece of literary work may have been to leave his post in the heated debate about marriage, the status of women and the increasing demands for gender equality. One can clearly see that Ibsen was the women's side in this matter when he let his character Nora be a strong and independent woman who broke the unwritten laws of the sexes in society.

In context of the sacrificial role of women, Ibsen paints a bleak picture of the sacrificial role held by women of all economic classes in his society (Tornqvist, 107- 212). When comparing the time Ibsen lived in our time, one can see clear differences, including on gender roles and people's different role in society. Social gaps are smaller today, even if they are on the increase, the man and woman are living more equal and both are working.

Moreover, A Doll's House is a work of tragic drama which shows hypocritical attitudes and social conventions in force in late nineteenth ...