Comparing Being Earnest And A Doll's House

Both The Importance of Being Earnest and A Dolls House emphasize a new understanding of social classes and gender roles when interpreted through the historical lens. The story of A Dolls House takes place in the late 19th century. At this time period, women did not have the rights that they do today. Within the play, Nora Helmer decides to leave her family in order to become and independent woman and start anew. The story ends with Nora leaving and her fate left for the reader to decide. However, during this time period it was frowned upon for a woman to abandon her spouse as seen when Torvald states “abandon your home, your husband, your children! And you’re not even thinking what people will say.” (1754). In the Victorian era, women had a

Ladies were to get married most importantly, and secondly, to be obedient to their husbands. In the story, Nora’s small rebellions seem negligent such as when she said “to hell and be damned!” to Torvald (1720). Yet, woman would never contradict or go against their husbands in this manner, as it was just unheard of. I did not realize how uncommon it was at the time for a woman to leave her family, and the ramnifications Nora would face as a result of her leaving social role. This aspect gives the reader a new view on the possibilities that Nora’s future may hold and just how important her decision to leave really was.
Oscar Wilde’s work in The Importance of Being Earnest also reiterates the idea of social classes through satire. Throughout the novel, there is a clear difference portrayed between social and economic classes set during the Victorian era. One obvious case is the dialogue between Gwendolen and Cecily. Gwendolen ventures to disgrace Cecily for her upbringing in the country rather than living in the city. She mentions that the country bores her, to which Cecily