Gender Issues in 'A Doll's House' Essay Example

Gender relation refers to the power between men and women. In the patriarchal society, men and women do not equal in society, men are superior while women have a lesser status than men. In this case, the man is given the dominant role and women are obliged to live according to their gender roles by being submissive. The notion of gender relation brings affects the interaction between men and women. In relation to this, the play 'A Doll's House' exposes women restricted role and effects that occurred are a result of men and women power imbalance.

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The character of women in the play is confined to societal values. The protagonist shows how men are superior and how women sacrifice is an obligation. Women during this time were mothers and housewives and Nora is one of them chose to abandon her children and start a journey to rediscover herself and find freedom. In regards to the 19th century when the play was written, a woman was considered the true form of commitment (Fisher and Ellen, 99). The role portrayed by women can be seen through societal belittlement of women, family sacrifices and choices women make.

All women in the play make a tough decision and sacrifice themselves for the purpose of serving their husbands and children. Nora asked Mrs. Linde why she married someone she did not love and she insisted that at the tie her mother was helpless, bedridden and she was also forced to look after her bothers. This made her not to deny the proposition. Mrs. Linde got married to get financial help to enable her to support the family, sacrificing her well-being and desires for the sake of the family (Fisher and Ellen, 99).

Torvald as the husband of Nora does no recognizer her as his equal but rare a mere possession. In the beginning, Torvald skillfully establishes his possession and dominion of |Nora by addressing her using pet names. After Norah returns from her shopping treat, Torvald says to her, "My little lark twittering out there? ...Is that my squirrel rummaging around? ...When did my squirrel get in?" (Ibsen, 1106). Torvald continues to use patronizing names on Nora calling her 'little Nora', 'little spendthrift', among other names which also ascertains to his financial and physical power over her. Even with all these, Nora displays her feminine powerlessness.

Men also ad full control over all legal and monetary business. The husband had authority over all his wife's possession. Nora was not allowed to borrow any money without involving her husband for approval. This is mock helplessness that was imposed upon Nora because she was powerless over her life without involving her husband. This instance can create women believe that their weakness is a product of their gender.

Conclusion

The story of Nora and Linde challenges the stereotypes of women living in a male-dominated society. By looking at Kristine who is widowed, she is liberated from the limitation that other women within the society are subjected to giving the freedom of making her own decisions in regards to her professional and personal life. The dominance by Kristine happens because she is widowed. Kristine says that "I had to scrape up a living with a little shop and a little teaching and whatever else I could find. The last three years have been like one endless workday without a rest for me" (Ibsen, 1111). This is a conclusive indication that women can also be as strong as men. In a society where there is still gender discrimination, the author communicates that women can be independent, strong, intelligent and sensible. Masculine and feminine gender stereotypes should not define an individual in society and each person needs to define themselves.

Works cited

Fisher, Jerilyn, and Ellen S. Silber. Women in Literature: Reading Through the Lens of Gender. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2003. Internet resource.

Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll's House: A Play in Three Acts. Rotterdam: Calbona Publishers, 2018. Print.