The Father of Modern Theater: Henrik Ibsen

2740 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Feminist approach on the doll house

How far will one search for truth? Henrik Ibsen was a poet of truth; he confronted firmly held ideas not only represented in Norway, but worldwide. Ibsen incorporated radical views and elevated the principles of women and downplayed the power of man. He is deemed the “father” of modern theater and is the worlds most frequently performed dramatist after William Shakespeare. Regardless of his unpopular viewpoints, Ibsen’s dramas invigorate social movements and are applicable today.
A Doll’s House embodies feministic principles; Nora’s exit from A Doll House is considered the primary representation for women and marriage issues. The Dolls House Backlash: Criticism, Feminism, and Ibsen by Joan Templeton discusses one of Ibsen’s most profound works, A Doll House, in which the main character, Nora, rebels against the preconceived notions of society by leaving her husband and children. Templeton takes an interesting slant by suggesting Ibsen not only wrote Nora to encourage female liberation, but also wanted to reveal the calamities of modern life and how relationships are not flawless. “Little by little the topical controversy died away; what remained was the work of art, with its demand for truth in every human relation” (Templeton 28). The theme of marriage is vital in A Doll House; the breakup of a seemingly ideal, affectionate couple proves that the sanctity of marriage and the power of the husband are not absolute.
Sometimes women are depicted as playthings or servants, as opposed to true companions. In the Dictionary of Literary Biography "Henrik Ibsen." Norwegian Writers the author Ed. Lanae H. Isaacson quotes Ibsen, “…but women are always judged in practical matters by men’s law as though they were not women but men,” (Isaa...

... middle of paper ...

...ing misguided, in some way was a model for the hero Ibsen wanted to be (Isaacson 7).
Ibsen’s literary work was ahead of the masses, his character Dr. Stockman from An Enemy of the People declared, “ the strongest man in the world is he who stands alone,”(Isaacson 10). Ibsen was an academic pioneer who sometimes had a majority supporting him, and more often did not. Ibsen once stated, “ Everything that I have written is intimately connected with what I have lived through, even if I have not lived it myself […] none of us can escape the responsibility and the guilt of the society to which we belong”. Despite harsh critics, Ibsen continued to press forward; his dramas exude inventive and social importance within the realm of theater and literature. His work can be considered liberation from the ills of life…a catharsis not only for himself, but for humanity as well.

Show More
Related

  • Comparing the Truth in A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler

    3087 Words  | 7 Pages

    Ibsen and Feminism. The Cambridge Companion to Ibsen. Ed. James McFarlane. Cambridge:

    Read More

  • The Subjection of Women Exposed in A Doll’s House

    2952 Words  | 6 Pages

    A man, intoxicated and impoverished, lay on the dirty streets of patriarchal Norway, and as the jeering citizens sauntered by, they could have never guessed that this man, Henrik Ibsen, would be the Prometheus of women’s rights and the creator of the modern play. Having been born in 1828, Ibsen lived through various examples of the subjection of women within the law, such as Great Britain allowing men to lock up and beat their wives “in moderation” (Bray 33). Therefore, Ibsen was known for his realistic style of writing within both poetry and plays, which usually dealt with everyday situations and people (31). Focusing on the rights of women, Ibsen’s trademark was “...looking at these problems without the distortions of romanticism” and often receiving harsh criticism for doing so (31). In an attempt to support his family, Ibsen became a pharmaceutical apprentice, but after three years he abandoned this profession and began writing poetry. After an apprenticeship in the theater, he began writing his own plays, including a drama in verse, Peer Gynt (31). While working and writing in Norway, Ibsen and several social critics observed “...the penalty society pays when only half of its members participate fully as citizens”, deciding to flee Norway in hopes of finding a more accepting social environment (33). Ibsen wrote A Doll’s House, his most famous work about women suffering through the oppressive patriarchal society, while living primarily in Germany and Italy where he “...was exposed to these social norms and tensions to a much greater extent than he would have been had he remained solely in Norway” (32). While Sweden, Norway, and Denmark began to grant legal majority to women, Ibsen understood the legal improvements f...

    Read More

  • Henrik Ibsen

    2053 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the plays Ghosts, An Enemy of the People, and Wild ducks by Henrik Ibsen there are many similar themes, which become evident to the reader. A theme, which is consistant though out these plays, is the opposing values of the Ideal and the Real. The views of the idealist versus the realists make for many duels between the two personalities.

    Read More

  • Investigation of Power in Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’

    1478 Words  | 3 Pages

    children, her husband and what life she had behind, as she slams the door to the family home. A significant transition of power has occurred and this is one of the major themes that Ibsen raises in his dramatic text ‘A Doll’s House.’ However, in examining the underlying. issue of power presented by the text, one cannot simply look at the plight of Nora’s character, three major aspects of this theme need. also to be considered for.

    Read More

  • To Be a Doll

    1322 Words  | 3 Pages

    Simonds, W. E. "Henrik Ibsen." Dial 10.119 (Mar. 1890): 301-303. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2011. Literature Resource Center. Web. 25 Mar. 2011.

    Read More

  • A Comparison Of Two Ibsen Works

    1373 Words  | 3 Pages

    Henrik Ibsen's works Dollhouse and An Enemy of the People can be shown to have both been written by Ibsen not only through characteristic technique such as blocking and character exposition, but also the similarity in the decay of the social persona of characters from the norm and the main character's heightening stalwart. The later of that statement proves the works to be Ibsen's writing more effectively because such a commonality is a more direct link between works than such subtlies as character exposition.

    Read More

  • A Look at Women's Rights in A Dolls House by Ibsen

    1261 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...th century were put down and seen of as lesser then men. They didn’t get any fair chances and had control of absolutely nothing in their life. The roles of women ranged from mother to wife, and went not far beyond. There was no way to gain any independence. Despite, the inferiority of Mrs. Linde, she defied the stereotypical ideas of women of her time and learned to be prosperous on her own. She even got a job, which was practically impossible for women of her time. In the end Ibsen’s portrayal of Mrs. Linde was extremely significant, she became a role of feminist movements for all people of her time. Ibsen was one of the first men to understand and feel that society was corrupt and women deserve to be treated equal. This play became extremely controversial to all, but in the end portrayed the ideas that would rewrite the role of a woman in any portion of life.

    Read More

  • Mrs. Linde as a Foil for Nora in in Ibsen's A Doll's House

    1642 Words  | 4 Pages

    Northam, John. 1965. "Ibsen's Search for the Hero." Ibsen. A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

    Read More

  • Gender Roles in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House

    643 Words  | 2 Pages

    Henrik Ibsen’s famous play A Doll’s House was first published in 1879 and contains elements and characters that appear to support feminism, and drew attention from the women’s rights movement. However, Ibsen himself said that he was not a feminist; rather, his play is about the human nature in general, and is not specifically about women’s rights. Over the years, this was the view that most scholars used to interpret the play, but more recently scholars have produced an opposing argument. Margaret Stetz, one such scholar, writes that “To call Ibsen a feminist playwright or to describe A Doll’s House as a drama in favor of women’s rights is no longer controversial” (150). The most obvious example of Ibsen’s view on gender roles is the relationship between Nora and Helmer and, more specifically, Nora’s self-discovery at the end of the play. Other characters, however, such as Mrs. Linde and Krogstad, as well as Anne-Marie, play a part in defining gender roles in A Doll’s House. In this essay, I will discuss the ways in which Ibsen represents gender roles in A Doll’s House through the characters in his play and the differing views about feminism and gender roles in the play.

    Read More

  • A Doll's House Sacrifice Analysis

    2126 Words  | 5 Pages

    Henrik Ibsen paints a sad picture of the sacrificial role of women throughout all social economical classes in his play “A Doll House”. The story is set in the late 19th century and all minor female characters had to overcome adversity to the expense of love, family and self-realization, in order to lead a comfortable life. While the main female protagonist Nora struggles with her increasingly troubled marriage, she soon realizes, she needs to change her life to be happy as the play climaxes. Her journey to self-discovery is achieved by the threat of her past crime and her oppressing husband, Torvald and the society he represents. The minor female characters exemplifying Nora’s ultimate sacrifice.

    Read More

  • An analysis of A Doll’s House main theme: Independence

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer is a traditional “angel in the house” she is a human being, but first and foremost a wife and a mother who is devoted to the care of her children, and the happiness of her husband. The play is influenced by the Victorian time period when the division of men and women was evident, and each gender had their own role to conform to. Ibsen’s views on these entrenched values is what lead to the A Doll’s House becoming so controversial as the main overarching theme of A Doll’s House is the fight for independence in an otherwise patriarchal society. This theme draws attention to how women are capable in their own rights, yet do not govern their own lives due to the lack of legal entitlement and independence. Although Ibsen’s play can be thought to focus on the theme of materialism vs. people, many critics argue that Ibsen challenges the traditional gender roles through his portrayal of Nora and Torvald. Throughout the play Nora faces an internal struggle for self-discovery, which Ibsen creates to show that women are not merely objects, but intelligent beings who form independent thoughts.

    Read More

  • Easing Out the Ending of, A Doll's House

    1195 Words  | 3 Pages

    Groundbreaking themes were presented in Henrik Ibsen's play, A Doll's House. The play has shared an important message regarding feminism. It was released in the 1800's, during time when women were not taken seriously. This has made the work essential for humanity to observe and respond to. One of the most important aspects of Ibsen's play was the end, in which the main character, Nora Helmer leaves her husband. This was a shocking scene for unprepared audiences in theaters throughout the world. Divorce and separation from one's spouse and children was not proper to discuss in public because it was not looked highly on. Critics and others who study the play wonder if the ending was too bold for the time.

    Read More

  • The Controversial Theme of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

    1998 Words  | 4 Pages

    In his play, A Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen depicts a female protagonist, Nora Helmer, who dares to defy her husband and forsake her "duty" as a wife and mother to seek out her individuality. A Doll's House challenges the patriarchal view held by most people at the time that a woman's place was in the home. Many women could relate to Nora's situation. Like Nora, they felt trapped by their husbands and their fathers; however, they believed that the rules of society prevented them from stepping out of the shadows of men. Through this play, Ibsen stresses the importance of women's individuality. A Doll's House combines realistic characters, fascinating imagery, explicit stage directions, and an influential setting to develop a controversial theme.

    Read More

  • The Role of Realism in Ibsen's, A Doll's House

    727 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ecting feministic views about women’s independence; although Ibsen was most likely presenting reality, not advocating change. Once again what conclusions modern feminists may draw from the play are shaped by their context.

    Read More

  • William Shakespeare vs Henrik Ibsen

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare and Henrik Ibsen are two great authors of their time and are still read by many today. William Shakespeare wrote many plays; one that is more well known is Hamlet. Henrik Ibsen is a not so well known author but wrote a great rival play named A Doll’s House. These two plays were extraordinary for their time and there has been much controversy and debates on which play made the greatest impact to culture and society. These two plays, written in very different time periods, show alternative views on society and how it should be.

    Read More

More about The Father of Modern Theater: Henrik Ibsen

Open Document