Ibsen Gender Roles

Throughout time, dramatic changes have occurred in gender roles, clothes, marriages and partnership. One exception upon this evolutionary change is society’s view of relationships between a man and a woman. Henrik Ibsen’s drama, A Doll House, illustrates the ups and downs between a husband that is focused on society’s patriarchy thoughts, and a wife that is fed up with playing the role society and her husband, have set. Furthermore, Ibsen emphasizes the point that much of how society is run, even in today’s world, is based upon a strong masculine influence; females are still viewed somewhat considered inferior today. Despite this drama being written in the late 1800’s, the play holds true to how society envisions male/female relationships and
Almost every single person across the world wishes they can have money and not worry about any financial problems, except, that is not the case for many. Often times people will deal with financial surprises that can shake up a household presenting the urgency of borrowing money, such as when Nora borrows money to save her husband’s life without Helmer’s consent. Helmer starts off by clearly stating, “… Nora, you know what I think about that. No debts! Never borrow” (Ibsen 1252). It is clear how stern Helmer is against borrowing money. If a person has to borrow money from another it clearly demonstrates that individual’s lack of finances, which Helmer is far too concerned about. For Helmer, going from having limited resources of money, to receiving a job that provides the expenses to live a more luxurious life, fills Helmer’s head and especially Nora’s. Resulting in Helmer’s thoughts to become fully consumed by the need of societal approval on his financial
Earlier in the evening, Nora and Helmer attended a party in which Helmer choreographed a dance for Nora to perform, along with telling her what to wear. Initially, the costume can be seen as any regular costume, except it is much larger than that. The costume symbolizes the hold and control Helmer withholds over Nora and ignoring what she feels and wants. Leading to a radical change prior to the final discussion and farewell to Helmer. “Yes, Torvald, I’ve changed my dress…. Tonight I’m not sleeping” (Ibsen 1294). Nora’s entrance into the sitting room with her street clothes, especially clothes Helmer did not pick out, illustrates her break from his control. Nora is no longer accepting the pain, control, and manipulation that Nora’s father has raised her on and now with Helmer. In addition, this break from her family, more specifically her husband, also presents Nora’s break from societal views. Such as when Nora states, “…I know the majority thinks you’re right, Torvald, and plenty of books agree with you, too. But I can’t go on believing what the majority says, or what’s written in the books, I have to think over these things myself and try to understand them” (Ibsen 1296). This powerful comeback at Helmer teaches the reader, especially female readers, that what society deems as normal and ‘correct,’ does not mean it should be followed. Social norms can be broken and in