A Doll House Gender Roles

The play, “A doll house” was written in 1879 by Henrick Ibsen. In the play, “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen brings up on of the aspects of gender role and society norms as it was during the nineteenth century. Ibsen conveys a strong message to the audience, which is why women have to sacrifice their dreams and life to provide and support to their family, why women have to be dependent and under control of men. The ideology in nineteenth century of Norway’s was that men are hypothetical to be a breadwinner, where women need to take care of their children and stay home. Ibsen presents Helmer’s house as a middle class family, where Nora and Torvald seems to be living a happy marriage life. Nora and Torvald have an abnormal relationship from the

Nora’s husband presents himself, as he own Nora like a “Doll.” He says, “Is that my squirrel rummaging around?” It seems like as he was talking to a child. Nora shows her weakness by accepting the diminutive nicknames from Torvald and Torvald present himself as being the head of the house by showing his physical control over Nora. In order to possess and retain this power, he abides by the rules in society. He also sets up rules at home for his wife to follow. Which demonstrates that the male masculine has more power and control than the female at that

Ibsen reveals the true Identity of Nora in the middle of the play. Nora borrows money from Krogstad in order to save her husband’s life in past when he was sick and doctor advised them to travel Europe for his better health. Nora, which seems to want money from her husband in the act, was actually to pay the debt without letting anyone one knows about her trouble. Nora never confesses that the money has been used for him, neither has she confessed about the debt to her husband. Nora says, “…How painful and humiliating it would he for Torvald, with his manly self-respect, to know that he owed anything to me! It would utterly upset the relation between us; our beautiful, happy home would never again be what it is (Ibsen).” Nora really cared about his family and Torvald and she do not want her family to face the trouble, instead she decides to confront that by herself without any help. Even though Torvald does not know about it, he thinks that he has handled everything by himself. However, Nora is the one who saved his life. She chooses the difficult path to pay off the debt, which shows the bravery and will of Nora. What Nora has does in the scene is surprise for the audience. Ibsen establishes the stereotypical gender roles as it was in late nineteenth century, and then suddenly he brings