Rebelious Spirit Essay -- Character Analysis

The beginning of the 20th century was marked by the development of feminist movements which demanded equal rights with men, and have been a subject of controversy in many families. Through Nora Helmer, the main character of "A Doll House," Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen focuses on the role and social status of women who were mistreated by men and law in the end of the 19h century. At that time, a wife was expected to be totally dependent on her husband and support the image of the ideal family by taking care of him, children, and the house, but having no personal freedom. Nora leaves her family after realizing that she has been treated by her husband as a doll rather than personality, thus going up against the norms created by men-dominated society to save her self-esteem. Social inequality becomes a widespread problem because Nora’s tragedy creates an opportunity to infiltrate the hidden essence of social and moral relationships where a woman is afraid to admit her noble deed — to save the dying husband, which is qualified as a crime by the state laws and â€Å"moral standards†. Nora’s family ruin reveals the underlying tragedy and brutality of reality, hidden beneath external well-being, as well as portraying the ability of an individual of a weaker status to resist the obstacles. At first glance, Nora Helmer, is only a doll, a cheerful "squirrel," as Torvald calls her, and the mistress of the comforting house which resembles a doll house. Kids idolize her and her man is satisfied with the fairy tale created in the house. Nora’s husband, Torvald, appreciates such comfort and openly admires Nora: â€Å"is that my little lark, twittering out there?...When did my squirrel get home?† (Ibsen Act I). Behind this external happiness and car... ...erefore, the final piece of the play remains open because Nora has not yet won, but the victory is close. There might a "miracle" happen and Torvald will be able to change internally, bring Nora back, and build together a real house. In his drama, Henrik Ibsen has revealed profound inconsistency between decent visibility and internal wickedness of a displayed reality, protested against the entire system of public opinion demanding maximum emancipation of women. Works Cited Goldman, Emma. â€Å"Victims of Morality.† Lecture. Mother Earth. Vol. 8. Mar. 1913. 19-24. Ibsen, Henrik."A Doll House" Approaching Literature: Reading + Thinking + Writing. Ed. Peter Schakel and Jack Ridl. 3rd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012. 1245-1297. Print. Johnston, Ian. "On Ibsen's A Doll's House." Lecture. Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo. July 2000. Web. 21 Apr. 2012.