Henrik Ibsen s A Doll s House - 1648 Words

Set in late 19th century Norway, Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House parallels the societal standards of the time, a patriarchal society. This resulting framework reinforces a strict social stratum that seeks to marginalize women and develop the rapport of superior to inferior. The drama presents an archetypical housewife named Nora Helmer who grows dissatisfied and disillusioned with her patronizing husband, Torvald. Content with the status quo of the time, Torvald embraces the schema of the â€Å"man’s role† in a marriage - interacting with Nora as her father would; his accomplishment of such an ideal is qualified through the quantifiable. Through indirect characterization, the theme of appearance v. reality, and a motif of beauty, Ibsen portrays†¦show more content†¦Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way. Responding to a comment made by Nora, Torvald is in disbelief that she would ever assume she was at the helm to an y extent. This exemplifies the expectation of Nora to remain entirely submissive and compliant at all time. Torvald answers as if presenting an indubitable truth: obedience is not a choice, it is a requisite. Evidence of Torvald’s authoritarian personality is additionally presented when he states, â€Å"That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debts, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt.†(Act 1: Page 3 of 94). He, in this instance, addresses the absolute harm that is the borrowing of money, attributing Nora’s lack of â€Å"common sense† to being a woman. Despite Nora’s compliance, Torvald still pinpoints Nora’s shortcomings – specifically, in the realm of expenses and finances. The didactic tone in this excerpt further exemplifies the role assumed by Torvald; to assume the role of a teacher/superior is to undermine the potential of a nother on the premises of ignorance. The presumed incapability of Nora is established by Torvald as if to justify his acts of subservience, as presented previously. As a result of these unrealistic expectations – Nora’s complete deference – Torvald is ultimately allowed to displace the source of his