Gender Roles In A Doll's House

Torvald’s True Colors
In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, we are introduced to the 19th century relationship between Nora and her husband Torvald Helmer. While reading through the three acts of the play numerous things are uncovered. It becomes clear that Torvald and his expectation for his wife are strongly influenced by society and culture in the 19th century. Torvald himself believes that he is the ideal husband. Torvald also thinks his wife is clueless and he sees himself as her savior. However, in reality Torvald is the one that’s clueless and Nora is his savior. Also, Nora appears to be everything Torvald ever wanted to be. Nevertheless, Nora is still willing to play her traditional role in the house, but it all changes when Torvald doesn’t
Where wife and husband were expected to fulfill their roles in the marriage. The notion that a husband and wife should behave in a particular way is still noticeable in today’s society. Holly Devor a Canadian sociologist touches on some of the expectations and guidelines men and women are expected to follow in society in his article Gender Role Behavior and Attitudes. Devor writes “it is popularly believed that the social position of females is biologically mandated to be intertwined with the care of children and a ‘natural’ dependency on men for the maintenance of mother-child units” (485). Here the author is saying that one popular belief is that women should be primarily focused on taking care of their children while the responsibility of the man is to keep the family going and ensure that the needs of a mother and child are met. Additionally, Devor mentions that “A heterosexual orientation requires women to dress, move, speak, and act in ways that men will find attractive… and action which communicate weakness, dependency, [and] ineffectualness” (486). Here the author is explaining another belief held by some individuals in society, which require women to essentially look good for their husband and portray vulnerability and inability to survive on their own. Another popular belief is that women should sacrifice to help their husband
Numerous things can be seen in the three acts of the play. First it becomes quite clear, that Torvald and his relationship with Nora is heavily influenced by 19th century beliefs of what a marriage should look like. Torvald himself believes that he is the ideal husband, he thinks his wife is clueless and he believes that he is her savior. However, in reality Torvald is clueless, and Nora is his savior. Furthermore, it evident that Nora is everything Torvald ever wanted to be. Despite everything Nora is still willing to play her traditional role in the house, but it all changes when Torvald reveals his true