The Theme of Independence in Ibsen's 'A Doll's House'

A Doll House Essay

Ibsen said that his mission in life was to “Inspire individuals to

freedom and independence” which was shown throughout the play A Doll

House. Since he wrote modern theatre, the characters were real and

audiences could relate to them. He particularly questioned the role

of men and women during his time. Ibsen used A Doll House to motivate

women so they would seek more power and freedom in their

relationships. Audiences could then look up to characters such as

Nora and Mrs Linde whom were independent, some what ahead of their

times. Ibsen’s purpose was to not only to enlighten women of their

unfair status but also to make the men understand women are much

smarter than what they think. His goal was to change these attitudes

of all humans so equality could be reached.

By 1878-79, when A Doll House was written, women’s rights had become a

burning issue. People such as John Stuart Mill who wrote The

Subjection of Women (1869) were one of the first to raise these issues

and could be seen as an early feminist. They raised question as to

whether the female role was fair. Before then, women were very

submissive and had little opportunities. They were unable to have a

job and were expected to do household duties and take care of the

children. Men were the dominant ones but the women knew no

different. For the few who could see this inequality, they were seen

as ‘unfeminine’ as they were thinking for themselves, which is

something only a man would do. Ibsen would be on their sides and

tried to express that it was all right, through his characters. Nora

plays upon her innocence and helplessness at the beginning to achieve

things, being the typical stereotype of women in this time. “Oh,

please,...

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... stand up for themselves. They were unlike

the stereotype in which women were made into and took responsibility

for their actions. The play would make people think and discuss these

roles of men and women and even question the values of society. Ibsen

hoped he would make women realise they deserve a choice as to whether

they want to marry and to be equal with men.

Bibliography

Mills, John Stuart 1860, The Subjection of Women, Prometheus Books,

New York

“Ibsen- woman’s rights” 2005

http://www.unesco.org/webworld/mdm/2001/fr/ibsen/form.html, 24/04/05

“A Doll House- Ibsen” 2005

http://www.novelguide.com/ADoll'sHouse/themeanalysis.html 24/04/05

“Woman’s right and roles” 2005

http://www.unesco.no/kommunikasjon/hukommelse/ibsen.html. 24/04/05

“Woman’s Liberation, Ibsen” 2005

http://www.international-relations.com/cm3-2/Feminismweb. html

24/04/05