A Doll’s House Using Concepts from Feminist Theory

 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.