Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House

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Recommended: Roles of women as portrayed in A Doll's House

How did Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House show the effects societal roles had on the men and women of the 19th century?

The effects of the societal roles in men and women from the 19th century are displayed through the actions and morals of the characters in Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House. The play demonstrates through its main characters the demanding norms of society. When one does not abide the Victorian society norms they are shunned, pitied and left with almost nothing. Ibsen’s humanistic side is seen through this play as he creates realistic problems for fictional people to suffer through So, the effects of societal roles are seen in the character of Nora Helmer, who is the obedient, naïve wife that finds her true self and decides to rebel against societal prospects. It is also observed in Torvald Helmer, who displays the qualities of the stereotypical male of the Victorian era and this display of societal norms affects Nils Krogstad, who went from accepting the social order to rebelling against for the sake of his family. Each of these characters helps understand the concept of societal expectations and struggles to achieve them.

Effect on Nora by the Societal Roles
First, Nora Helmer is the figurative wife that all men of the 19th century want and work hard to get. She has the childish, naïve personality that helps her get along with her children and adapt to the Victorian society. The society’s demands are a routine to her as she mentions to Christine Linde, “Free. To be free, absolutely free. To spend time playing with the children. To have a clean, beautiful house, the way Torvald likes it” (Ibsen, Act 1). At the time of this play Queen Victoria is in rule, symbolizing the roles of a woman revolving around...

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...Victorian Ideals." Victorian Ideals. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014. .

Clark, Barret H. "Peer Gynt - a Play by Henrik Ibsen." Peer Gynt - a Play by Henrik Ibsen. Henry Holt and Company, n.d. Web. 24 May 2014. .

Goldman, Emma. A Doll's House. A Doll's House. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014. .

Wilde, Oscar. "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Google Books. Bernhard Tauchnitz, 8 May 2009. Web. 21 May 2014. .

Wojtczak, Helena. "WOMEN'S STATUS IN MID 19TH-CENTURY ENGLANDA BRIEF OVERVIEW by Helena Wojtczak." English Women's History. Hastings Press, n.d. Web. 23 May 2014. .

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