A Comparison of the Female Protagonists in Antigone and A Doll(TM)s House

In comparison, the female protagonist Nora, in the play A Doll’s House, is also pressured by her society to act against the socially accepted way. The society which Nora lives in is one which is also male dominated. Ibsen uses animal imagery to develop a society which is male dominated. The idea that women are inferior to men is developed right at the beginning of the play through the literary technique of animal imagery. In the opening scene Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband, asks: “Is that my little squirrel frisking about? When did my little squirrel get home?” (Ibsen 2). Ibsen uses this animal imagery to immediately develop the idea that women are like pets to men in this society. Animal imagery continues to be used through out the play to further develop the idea that in this society women are inferior to men and this ultimately pressures Nora to act against the society. Her husband is always worried about how he is portrayed in this society and when Nora begins to realize that the pressure builds up. She becomes fed up with living in a male dominated society and this is shown with her reply to Helmer when he says she knows nothing about the society. “No, I don’t.” Nora said, “But I shall go into that too. I must try to discover who is right, society or me.” (Ibsen 83). Ultimately, Nora decides to leave her children and husband. Ibsen develops this male dominated society which pressures Nora to act against the socially correct way by doing what she did.

Other than the society, Antigone’s values also pressured her to ultimately act against the socially accepted way. Through out the play Antigone, Anouilh develops Antigone’s character to show her strong personal values. Unlike Nora, where her values changed through out the play, Antigone’s values are concrete right at the beginning of the play. This is shown during her conversation with her sister Ismene. Antigone and Ismene are discussing the burial of their brother and when Ismene says they cannot bury him because they will be put to death, Antigone replies, “Of course they will. Everyone has his part to play. Creon has to have us put to death, and we have to go and bury our brother. That’s how the cast-list was drawn up. What can we do about it?” (Ibsen 11). Anouilh portrays Antigone’s values through the emphasis and emotion which she has in this extract from the play. Antigone reminds herself through out the play that she is destined to bury her brother even if she is put to death. Consequently, her values, mainly valuing the burial of her brother, pressure her to act against the socially accepted way.

Also, in the play A Doll’s House the values of the female protagonist Nora pressured her to act against the socially accepted way. Ibsen uses dramatic irony to develop Nora’s values. At the beginning of the play Nora valued money greatly. “You could always give me money, Torvald… Oh, please, Torvald dear! Please! I beg you.” (Ibsen 4). Nora says this at the beginning of the play and this clearly shows how Nora values money. However, as the play continues Ibsen uses dramatic irony to develop Nora’s values. For example, when Nils Krogstad threatens Nora to tell her husband about her secret, Nora replies: “It would be a rotten shame. [Half choking with tears.] That secret is all my pride and joy–why should he have to hear about it in this nasty, horrid way.” (Ibsen 26). As you can see, Ibsen uses dramatic irony to develop Nora’s values, which include a secret as they are part of her pride and joy. When Nora is reminded of her values she is almost moved to tears and this builds up pressure. As the play continues Nora’s values continue to develop as she realizes her pride and dignity are a great part of her values. Nora’s character develops and she grows smarter learning that she cannot live by a society which makes women inferior to men. Through out the play, Nora’s values pressure her to ultimately act against the socially accepted way.

Overall, it is seen that Anouilh and Ibsen, develop a male dominated society in their plays. Both of the plays Antigone and A Doll’s House portray how the female protagonist acted in response to the society. Though the female protagonists show to be quite different, their male dominated society and values including self dignity are similar. Ultimately, Antigone’s society and values pressured her to act against Creon and the society resulting in her death. In comparison, Nora is pressured by her society and values and therefore acts against her society by leaving her husband and children. Even though the outcomes of the plays are very different, there is a clear comparison between the female protagonists.