Gender Discrimination in Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House'

European society, during the nineteenth century, was entirely male–dominated where women were considered to be subordinates, poor decision-makers and weaker sex. They were confined to very narrow roles and were given very less rights and opportunities. They were puppets in the hands of male members of their family, having no will and opinion of their own. Despite that, most of the women easily accepted their role and position in the society without raising any questions since they believed that it was what the society had determined for them and they had to follow them whether or not they liked it. However, there were some women, who after realizing their devalued status in the society and the importance of their individuality, dared to challenge the patriarchal societal rules in order to search their self- identity and to live the life of their own. This seems to be the theme of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll House” which he has conveyed through characterization, symbolism and settings.

Nora, in the play, represents the women of her era. Although she seems to be superficial, carefree, spendthrift and frivolous in the beginning of the play, she is actually a very responsible, intelligent, skillful and courageous woman. She is a real devoted homemaker, a wife and a mother who showers unconditional love to her family including her husband and three children. Her husband, Torvald Helmer, calls her with the demeaning names like “little lark”, “squirrel” and worst of all “a scatterbrain” (Ibsen 1106). He has a notion that she is an incompetent, incapable and helpless woman who always needs his care and guidance in whatever she does and thinks. He never treats her like an equal entity rather he treats her like a child, a doll and a plaything w...

... middle of paper ...

...lf and the world: “I have to stand completely alone, if I’m ever going to discover myself and the world out there. So I can’t go living with you” (1150). In addition to that, most of the actions of Nora take place in the living room: talking with other characters, playing “hide-and-seek” and performing other feminine tasks (1118). This shows Nora’s insignificant role in her house and limited scope of her life.

In this way, through the use of characterization, symbolism and settings, Ibsen has portrayed the clear picture of the nineteenth century European society which was entirely based on gender discrimination. The women were totally dependent on men and lived their lives according to their desires and expectations. To live a self-dependent life and seek their right, they often had to break the rules of the society and go against the existing societal convention.