A Doll’s House: The Subordinate Woman

A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen The Subordinate Woman 4/2/2010 DePauw University Mira Yaseen Mira Yaseen Professor Anthony Comm 214 2 April 2010 A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen The Subordinate Woman In the wake of realism, Ibsen came upon us with an outspoken moot fill that encompassed m some(prenominal) realities of the conservative Victorian era.Presenting a genuine orbit of the societal issues at the time, A Doll House gives us an shrewdness to the world of women in the nineteenth century it tells us nearly their struggles and realizations. Nora Helmers decision to let her preserve and children to educate and explore herself reflects Ibsens consent for a reform in womens role in the parliamentary procedure. This necessitates a castrate in the masculine mention of enamour towards women. Noras characteristics pertain to the sterile image of the subordinate woman.However, Noras contradictory actions -such as her spendthrift nature and her begin to buy the cheapest outfits, an d her ineffectuality yet her ability to save her husbands life irrespective of her methods- shed light on these characteristics and show that they are products of the patriarchal societys high quality and its expectations and misc formerlyptions of women (Jacobus 660, 668). We first meet Nora as she enters her house after a Christmas shop spree. We are introduced to Torvald and Noras relationship is that my little lark twittering out on that point? he calls on her, Is that my squirrel rummaging around (Jacobus 663). The first noniceable thing about the relationship is Noras inferiority to Torvald. As the interaction continues between Nora and Torvald, her childhood becomes evident. Nora wipes her mouth and puts the macaroons away so that Torvald would not know about them. subsequent on in the play, when Nora and Torvald finally have the first serious converse in their marriage, Nora reveals how her father treated her he used to call me his doll-child she declares.Obviously, No ra has been pampered her wholly life, first by her father and now by Torvald, who treats her the same way, as his doll-wife. This doll- interchangeable lifestyle prevented Noras maturity and amplified her childishness instead. Therefore, her childishness is a pass of the way she was brought up and later treated by her husband. As the consultation is introduced to Noras spoiled nature, it is not surprising to find out that she is a spendthrift. However, this view is challenged once we learn more about Noras plain contradictory behavior.She is interpret as a wastrel from the stemma of the play. As Torvald notwithstanding got a promotion and a raise, Nora urges him to give her more currency for Christmas shopping, Oh but Torvald, this family we should really allow ourselves go a bit she argues. She even fires that he take a loan just so that she can let herself go a bit (664). N 1theless, this image is later contested once we find out that Nora found a way to get money to sav e her husbands life, regardless of her unorthodox methods of getting the money. non only did Nora find a way to get the money, but she was alike able to make the payments on time by doing some copy to earn money. Furthermore, Nora is also seen as resourceful and money-smart when she mentions buying the simplest cheapest outfits for herself (668). In addition, although Nora expertness have been sh take as a squanderer, she is still trying to pay the debt and cogency have been nagging Torvald for more money to secretly save up for the loans payments. This contradiction in Noras actions illustrates societys low expectation of women which reflects on their personalities.If Nora was given a chance from the beginning she could have excelled. She is only after luxury because this is what the society conditions her to be raise in. It is the life style that both her father and her husband provided her with and expected her to embrace. Thus, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy that did n ot encourage her to change. The initial image of Noras personality gradually changes throughout the play from a pampered incapable(p) woman to a seemingly witty and resourceful one. However, her un consciousness and inexperience in dealing with situations evil her.We see Noras capability in the mere fact that she opinion of forging her fathers signalature to be able to perish to Italy for treatment. Nora remarks that she could not give the trip up, it was to save my husbands life (672). In violate of that, Torvald considers her helpless and clueless But you venture I love you any less for now knowing how to handle your affairs? No, no-just lean on me Ill guide you and teach you. I wouldnt be a man if this feminine helplessness didnt make you twice as attractive to me he protests (688).Nora proves her capability, yet, the novelty of taking charge in a situation complicates it. Nora is not aware of the seriousness of a crime like forgery. She goes further to turn in that some where in the books these things are allowed (672). Moreover, she acts naively when she reveals to Krogstad forward in that conversation that she did indeed forge her fathers signature, I signed Papas name she admits candidly. She reasons that her father could not sign the papers due to his sickness. Nora thinks that her circumstances justify her actions and does not understand the rigidness of law.This example accentuates the fact that the gender in equality and the inferior position employed by women in the Victorian era, denied them rights and chances that would have made them more versed and capable. Education, for example was not the same for both sexes. Womens education was focused on teaching skills that would make them better house wives, like embroidery and sewing, time mens education was geared towards preparing them for their future careers, as they were taught law and languages. swear out was almost exclusive to men. Nora points that out and expresses that it is a fu lfilling experience for women too.She notes that copying was marvelous fun, sitting around and working like that, earning money. It was almost like existence a man (668). If we consider Nora and Torvald an average Victorian couple, I assume that if Nora had the same education her husband did she probably would have understood the sternness of the law and the consequences of forgery. A society that did not understand the importance of educating women created a class of ignorant women who could not take action or certificate of indebtedness for their actions. Torvald and the audition are not the only ones who see Nora as incompetent, Mrs.Linde, a woman, shares this same view. Nora seems to be very selfish and self-centered. After she learns about Mrs. Lindes dire circumstances after her husband passed away, she starts rambling about her own life and good fortune. I dont want to be selfish, I want to think only of you today she say and adds that her husband is getting a big salary and lots of com committees. Our livesll be so different well be able to do whatever we want. Oh Kristine, Im so relieved, so happy. To have no more worries, all one needs, isnt it wonderful? (666). Like Torvald, Mrs.Linde thinks Nora is inept. She thinks that Nora really knows so little of lifes burdens. Nora is aware of the way other people see her and it aggravates her. We see her frustration when she responds to Mrs. Linde Youre just like the others you all think Im incapable of anything serious (667). The words the others and you all suggest that Nora has been treated this way by almost everyone, starting with her father, later on her husband, and now her female friend as Jacobus points out She is made of ofttimes stronger stuff than anyone has given her credit for (660).This suggests that Nora has been considered inferior and treated as an incapable individual by the whole society. Ibsen makes sure the viewer and reader think of her as incapable too since her behavior at the beginning supports this conception. Nonetheless, this portrayal changes when we find out that Nora has gone to great lengths to save her husbands life. The fact that Mrs. Linde sees Nora as incapable is a very crucial point it represents the way women viewed their selves and their abilities.They seem to have had low expectations of themselves they succumbed to the societys conventions like Nora succumbed to her husbands repression. The societys perceptions shaped theirs as well and that is why a transformation of their role in society at that time was needed. All these contradictions in Noras character imply that Nora did not have the strong will to overcome the limitations set in earlier of her by the society and her husband, until the crisis pushes her to make a decision, and leave Torvald and her children. The first audience to watch this play found Noras reaction preposterous.Nora goes on a mission to discover herself, outside of the doll house. She realizes that what she has been living is not the real world, that she cannot be a good person, wife and mother if she does not know herself. This play does not only send a message about womens rights, equality and society, but it stresses the importance of individuality and self-discovery in the first place. The primary trade of anyone is to find out who they truly are (Jacobus 661). This play can be interpreted in a humane context rather than a feminine one. The stereotype of the inferior, naive, and incapable oman appears throughout the play. We see it in Noras actions, which are contradictory to what we expect at the beginning. This progression reaches its peak when Nora finally decides to leave and sets on a journey of self-discovery. Her departure highlights the importance of and expresses the hope for a reform of the repressed and inferior status of women in the society, which was caused by the subordination of men and the patriarchal society. Works Cited Jacobus, Lee A. The Bedford Introduction to Drama. 6th ed. capital of Massachusetts Bedford/ St. Martins. Print.