Essay Sample on A Dollhouse's Feminist Aspects: Effects on Marriage & Social Relations

Introduction

Doll's House is a play featuring, an ordinary family of Torvald Helmer a lawyer, his wife Nora, and their three children. The lawyer acts as the most ethical family member while the wife takes the role of an irresponsible, pretty woman, to flatter the husband. This essay is a critical analysis of the play from the feminist statement viewpoint.

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Aspects of Feminism and Effects on Marriage and Social Relation

A Dollhouse has its story built with many instances of feminism. The subjects of marriage, social relationship and the position of women during the time in the play are criticized. Marriage was a social class guarded by customs that held men more superior than females, making the act of Nora trying to leave a culture shock. There is a contrast between a marriage, set under humility and perspectives that it is a natural institution another one set on laws, pride and independence of couples. Krogstad is married to Linde, and are living under real expectations. Nora is pretending to be happy in marriage while they are in different worlds, keeping unrealistic goals that lead to the drifting of their marriage (Shah,2016).

Feminism and its Consequences on Social Life and Expectations

A marriage that is guided by the law and is subject to social prosecution ends when one party feels offended. Feminism is its consequences, is depicted in the explanation of the social life of an individual and social expectations. Nora is used as a picture of good women, dedicated to the upbringing of the children, she is however parallel with society's morals. She has suicidal thoughts and has plans to kill his husband. She is contrasted with Linde, a typical woman, who has conformed to the order of the society. Nora perceives her as a victim of the male-dominated system rather than a role model mother, and pursuance of realistic goals. Nora is a famous character in the world of literature for breaking the norms of the male-dominated society. She threatens to leave and manages to still provide food and shelter for her children. She assumes the economic role that was permanently dominated by men. It was the duty of a man to take care of the family and manage all the financial issues of the family.

Recognition of Women's Roles in Decision Making and Responsibilities

The play shows the urge of women's role to be recognized in a marriage setting, as equally responsible in the process of decision making and responsibilities. The issue of the responsibility of raising children, and instilling morals in them, is reflected. Nora receives an accusation of being like her father doing business and making money. Torvalds is an example of an example of the male-oriented, individuals, with his idea that whenever a child becomes a criminal, their mother must have been the greatest liars. He affirms this belief even in the presence of Norah, showing he expected her to be responsible in the molding of their children's character. Feminism is viewed in the aspect of materialism and the false belief that the marriage depended on how financially successful a person was. Norah is obsessed with getting money, as his husband. Nora is a reflection of a strong woman, who wanted to be fulfilled in her struggles, without having to wait on his husband to provide.

Parenting and the Impact of Feminist Beliefs on Child Upbringing

The upbringing of children is drastically affected, by feminism's believes of Norah and the expectations of the husband throughout the play. There is a parallel between the real meaning of marital love and parental leave being displayed in the marriage of the couple. Norah treats her children like toys that require materials and food and not any emotional attachment (Shah, 2016). The husband too has no time for the children, a role dominantly reserved for women, he is focused on the success of the career and has no emotional touch for the family, and for example, he refers his wife with names such as pretty little things, songbird and little woman equating her to a child. She ends up bringing up her children as material possessions.

Communication and Honesty in Marriage: The Consequences of Dishonesty

Communication as an essential aspect of a social relationship like marriage. The communication depicted by Norah is a lie and only meant to please her husband. This absence of honesty leads to the couple living in dissolution. At the end of the play, Norah realizes that lack of the virtue of honesty in marriage leads to break up eventually. Loss of touch with religion an essential institution of any marriage, where the virtues are taught (Shah, 2016). The setting is made to be on a Christmas Eve to indicate the time of the occurrence of the play. Torvald is very insensitive, and constantly blames Norah that she knew nothing about religion and practically had no religion. Nora admits not understanding the clergy. The feministic views of Norah make her hate religion because she believes that it is a man-made institution, to affirm the oppression of women. Christian religion shows the need for a woman to be submissive in a marriage, a fact that Norah discovers at the end of the play.

Conclusion

In conclusion, A Dollhouse shows a family from a feminist point of view, where the essential customs of a family, reproduction, upbringing, and sex, are viewed as subjects to the provisions of justice and the guidance of the law. Feminists view the family as not being a natural order but a man-made social institution, supported by the law. Nora is the book, is an example of a feminist, who is not emotionally attached to the family.

Reference

Shah, A. R. (2016). The Concept of Feminism in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal. http://www.academia.edu/download/61460536/Ibsen_A_dolls_house_publication20191208-55782-wt0t5b.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Essay:

Q: What is the main theme of A Doll's House?

A: A Doll's House takes aim at gender roles and expectations placed upon women by society, exploring their effects as well as individual freedom and fulfillment.

Q: Why does A Doll's House count as a feminist play?

A: A Doll's House can be considered feminist since it identifies oppression faced by women living in male-dominated societies and challenges traditional gender roles. Nora breaks free from social norms by asserting her independence while questioning marriage itself.

Q: In what ways does A Doll's House reflect the effects of feminism on marriage and social relationships?

A: A Doll's House depicts the impact of feminism on marriage and social relationships by exploring unequal power dynamics within marriages as well as society's pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. It emphasizes mutual respect, communication, and decision-making between partners for an ideal marriage relationship.