[Class Title]
Analysis of Nora’s Character in Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’
Introduction
Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ is a play that touched on issues of feminism and gender equality. The play was written by Ibsen in 1879, during which it became highly controversial because it challenged conventions regarding the role of women in society. During the time, gender equality is considered as a taboo topic. There are certain norms that define how the typical woman should act and women are judged according to these standards. The traditional role of women as passive wives and homemakers is regarded as the defining standard by which women’s usefulness in society is being measured (Dervor 672). In stark contrast to the traditional norms and stereotypes of women, Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ challenged the conventional role of women in society and promoted the concept of gender equality and feminism. The conflict of the story circled on the play’s most important character, Nora Helmer, the wife of the banker, Torvald Helmer . Ibsen used Nora’s character to capture the marital conflicts that arise out of conforming to the traditional roles set by society. Nora’s predicament reflected the struggle of real women not only in Ibsen’s time, but also relevant in the contemporary issue of feminism and gender equality.
Modern readers may find Nora’s experience in Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ as ridiculous and impossible. However, what happened to Nora was not far from the real scenario of women prior to the 20th century. In fact, Ibsen’s play was based on a real-life scenario that reflects the conflict of most married couples. Nora’s character does not differ from the typical wife during Ibsen’s time. When her husband was diagnosed with tuberculosis, her initial reaction was to find a way on how to save her husband from the deadly disease. It should be noted that tuberculosis, during Ibsen’s time was one of the deadliest illness that could not be easily cured by the available medications. In most cases, the doctors prescribe a warmer climate to help patients recuperate faster. The couple, however, could not afford the prescribed therapy and so Nora made a loan without the consent of her husband. Her gesture was made out of love for her husband; for the purpose of taking her husband to a place where there’s warmer climate so he can recuperate. However, she kept her act a secret primarily because she does not want her husband to feel intimidated that he was indebted to her. Nora’s secret, however, was revealed when she confided her secret to her friend, Mrs. Linde, who, in turn, confided it to her lover, Nils Krogstad. Not wanting to offend her husband, Nora did everything to conceal her secret from Torvald to a point wherein she is willing to concede with Nils’ plans to use her in blackmailing her husband. However, when Torvald knew about his wife’s loan, he became infuriated and sought to divorce her. Threatened with separation and the possibility of losing custody of her children, Nora’s predicament would have been devastating. Aside from the social stigma of being an inferior wife, separation could also mean financial uncertainty primarily because most women during Ibsen’s time rely on their husband for financial support. The thought of losing one’s marriage and family would have been unbearable, which explains why Nora did everything to save their marital relationship. Her mistake, however, if it should be called as such, was not made out of selfish intention, but rather out of her love for her husband. Unfortunately, her good motives were ignored, but her actions were judged according to the conventional view wherein a woman’s honor is considered as inferior as compared to male honor.
The Traditional Role of Women in Society
The major difficulties faced by Nora that prompted her to lie and keep a secret from her husband are the social norms and stereotypes of ideal women during the time. It should be noted that before the rise of the feminist movement, women were generally considered as inferior to men. Most women during Ibsen’s time accepted their inferior status without question, focusing their time and efforts on domestic roles as the epitome of their existence. The notion of inferiority and subordination of women become so prevalent and deeply ingrained in human culture that most men and women live their lives without even realizing that it exists (Dervor 673). This concept of women’s inferiority reflects on the roles that men and women play during Ibsen’s time. Women, for example, were not allowed to attend higher institutions of learning. When women were finally admitted in colleges and universities, the common notion is that they were just whistling time as they wait for the opportunity to get married. Women’s education prior to the 20th century was centered on domestic roles. Women were, thereby, trained to become submissive wives and nurturing mothers, but they were discouraged from developing their personal abilities beyond these roles. In this context, it is quite understandable why offending a husband’s ego is considered as a major issue for Nora Helmer. Because women’s success is connected with the success of their marital relationship with their husband, life outside of marriage is quite unimaginable.
The Struggle for Equality Within the Marital Relationship
The fight for equality is not only relevant to the feminist movement, but also a real struggle between husband and wife in a domestic environment. While women activists fight for women’s rights such as the right to vote and the right to equal opportunities, the typical wife also struggles for respect and equality within their marital relationship. The struggle often happens in an immature relationship wherein the husband exhibits a strong sense of masculinity with little or no respect to his wife’s feelings and emotions. Scholars believe that the quality of the marital relationship is determined by the behavior of the individuals. Accordingly, there are individuals with fused personalities. These are individuals who are not necessarily submissive; however, they act instinctively without thinking things over or without having a rational discussion with their partners (Karpel 806). Fusion is a characteristic of individuals that results to immature relationships. Instead of considering themselves as a team, individuals in an immature relationship tend to value their individual selves rather than their relationship as a couple. The ‘I’ instead of ‘We’ mentality, according to scholars, is an indication that a relationship is still immature (Karpel 806). In immature relationships, women often become the casualties because of their vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities that were forged historically out of the many rights that were afforded to men that were denied to women. Discrimination and misogyny, for instance, prevailed in many male-dominated professions. Women could not get a decent job, primarily because males were preferred in almost all industries. Earning for the family, in general, is considered as a man’s job. Women, on the other hand, can opt to work or not to work with no social prejudice. But despite the common notion that the burden of work lies on men, such practice has an adverse impact of gender equality and the advancement of women’s role in society. Such conventional practice makes women financially dependent towards their husband. While it is the traditional structure of a family to have a working husband and a plain housewife, the financial dependence of the wife to her husband is often the cause of the prevalence of domestic violence. Many women, for instance, could not easily abandon their abusive husbands because they do not know how to survive outside their marital relationship. Without the education and the necessary skill training that would make women eligible for work, traditional women opt to stay in abusive relationships because they have very limited financial capabilities. Another common struggle for women in a marital relationship is the communication gap. According to one observer, the pattern wherein men tend to talk more in public than at home is considered as the major culprit of failed marriages (Tannen 1). Such was the predicament of Nora in Ibsen’s play. Lies and secrets emerged in their relationship because there was no healthy communication between the couple. Their relationship further crumbled when the husband’s selfishness were revealed. Consistent with the fused and individualistic attitude, Torvald acted impulsively; thinking only about himself and his honor while ignoring the emotional struggles of Nora.
Conclusion
Nora’s experience in Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ is relevant to the experience of most women in an immature relationship. This unjust treatment of women, however, can be attributed to the social norm and female stereotype that supported the notion that women are subordinate and inferior as compared to men. In fact, society needs to be overhauled because for a long time, it has tolerated this notion, which encouraged an abusive environment for women, especially in a domestic setting. Despite the fact that women have already gained a significant level of equality, these social norms could not be easily eradicated, which is reflected in marital relationships. The role of women as homemakers, for instance, still prevails even in the modern society. Even if both husband and wife are working, at the end of the day, it is the wives that are expected to do the household chores while the husband relax and watch TV. Men, however, are not being criticized for their inability to tend house chores. In contrast, women are pressured to keep their homes orderliness and are primarily tasked with parenting responsibilities. These different roles that women play in society creates a stereotype that is unfavorable for women, because breaking away with these traditional roles could mean rejection and becoming a social outcast. For the same reason, Nora’s behavior, during the time, was considered as unprecedented and rebellious. Her self-realization of having a duty to herself was a shocking revelation to Ibsen’s patriarchal society.
Works Cited
Dervor, A. "Gender Role Behaviors and Attitudes." American Makeover (n.d.): 672 - 677.
Ibsen, H. A Doll's House. 2016. April 2016 <https://www2.hf.uio.no/polyglotta/public/media/libraries/file/10/A%20Dolls%20House-%20Henrik%20Ibsen.pdf>.
Karpel, M. "Individuation: From Fusion to Dialogue." Gender, Sex and Love (1976): 805 - 818.
Tannen, D. "Sex. Lies and Conversation; Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other?" The Washington Post (1990): 1 - 4.
