Antingone and a Doll's House: a Mens Society

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Would you think that one day men would no longer be the dominating gender in society, while women would be doing things thought unheard of before like working a career? In ancient Greece and pre-modern Norway authors began thinking up unthinkable situations for their times. These situations were based on questions very similar to these. These ideas were thought of as scary, fictional, and even comedic for their time. Gender roles in society are virtually thematic in the two stories A Dolls House and Antigone. A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen is a story about the wife battling to hide a loan that kept her husband alive, because if anyone found out society would crash upon her for her bold actions. Antigone, written by Sophocles, is a play about a girl defying men to do what man didn’t to please the gods and bring honor to her family. In almost all societies before the modern age, women have been thought to be naturally below men. Both main female characters, Antigone and Norah, have fought against society to take responsibilities, as they rise from their status to face problems and challenges of men. Creon and Torvald both are seen as the pressuring masochist and spouse in Antigone and A Doll’s House. Sophocles and Ibsen draw many of the same characteristics and flaws of men. The characteristics of the men in these societies and plays are that they ridicule and anger women, they misjudge women’s capabilities and how much they really do, and they both have a very apparent arrogance.

Something that occurred frequently in Antigone and A Doll’s House is how often the men anger and insult the women. This is what Creon says to the soldier even after the soldier explains himself fully, “You, with your eyes on the grou...

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...stantly represent throughout the story.

It is obvious that in both stories women were very strong and responsible, while the men were arrogant and unappreciative. Throughout the stories, Antigone and Norah both proved there worth through their actions. But the men ridiculed, underestimated, and wallowed in their own pride. It is obvious how unfairly women were treated, but gradually women have been noticed and recognized for what they do and have to offer. Over time men have recognized women’s potential as they slowly fit into our society. Through the plays of Antigone and A Dolls House these situations of women being more than expected were described in detail. Also described in detail were how men acted in pride and immaturity to shun this behavior. These books have ended in tragedy, but women are a constant testament to success in our modern day society.

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