Reading Response :
A Doll’s House Using Concepts from Feminist Theory
Throughout
history women have been considered inferior to men by law and nature. Some
women’s behavior was also limited and kept under male subjugation in ancient
times. Unfortunately, discrimination of gender still exists and pervades in our
many cultures and societies till this present day. The story “A doll’s House
“is associated with feminism. According to Lois Tyson “feminism seeks to
understand the ways in which women are oppressed-socially, economically,
politically, and psychologically-in order to reduce, if not eliminate, their
oppression of gender”. (83) The feminism theory concept by Lois Tyson teaches
the reader that patriarchy is any society in which men hold all or most power.
This play gives an insight of roles in women in a patriarchal household and
helps recognize a system of beliefs and assumptions held by men.
By
examining the beginning of the play it is clear that Torvald, her husband was
dominating the relationship and pretty much holds a lot of power in their
household. “Has my little spendthrift
been wasting money again?"( Ibsen 9)
This text supports that she did not have a right to make her own
independent choice financially. With that comment Torvald made one can conclude
that he thinks of her as an incompetent female even by calling her diminutive
nicknames, it exacerbates her image.
The
roles of men and women in the play, A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen in
Norway are very different compared to what they are in the United States
now. It provides what life is like in a
patriarchal household and identifies a system of beliefs by examining this
play. I will illustrate and analyze why the role of the woman is dominated in
the traditional times of society, yet is needed by the man. Throughout the
first act, Torvald dominating nature was brought to light and he treated his
wife like the inferior woman that she is supposed to be. Ibsen presents Nora with a childlike
enthusiasm for money, love and attention from her family. Torvald forbids her
to eat her favorite treat; this is why she sneaks in macaroons. “You couldn’t
know that Torvald had forbidden them” (Act I, 48). An adult woman should not
have any issues in what she wants.Despite him belittling his wife every chance
he gets, this type of behavior is common in the 19th century.
Lois
Tyson points out that "In contrast,
traditional gender roles define women as naturally emotional (which, in a
patriarchy, usually means irrational), weak, nurturing and submissive"
(87). In the story a Doll's House Nora portrayed these characteristics.
"Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice,
and do as she wants" (Ibsen 51). Torvald
enforces the power he has over Nora " Aha so my obstinate little
woman is obliged to get someone to come to her rescue?" to which Nora
replies, "Yes Torvald , I can't get anywhere without your help"
(Ibsen 77) She is heavily manipulated by him until the very end of the play.
Tyson
claims in Learning for a Diverse World
“Feminist theory points out, however that both “good girls” and bad girls are
objectified by patriarchy. They are not viewed as independent human beings with
their own goals, needs, and desires. Rather, they are evaluated only in terms
of their usefulness to patriarchal men” (87). Nora may have understood that she has gone
from her father’s expectations of her to her husband. She has no self-identity
other than what the men in her life have expected of her. “I have existed
merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and
papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I made
nothing out of life.” Nora knows that a life as a mistress is not a life for
her. It also emphasizes that their relationship is more of a father and
daughter relationship rather than a husband and wife
Works Cited
Ibsen,
Henrik. "A Doll's House".1992. Anchor Books. Ebook.
Tyson,
Lois. “Learning for A Diverse World.” New York: Routledge, 2009. Print.
