Discuss Ibsen’s presentation of gender in “A DollsHouse”?

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Harrow College Access Courses Assignment

Unit Title: Literature Drama

Discuss Ibsen’s presentation of gender in “A Dolls House”?

Ibsen wrote ‘A Dolls House’ in 1879 – a time for of major social change, when women’s suffrage was at a recognised focal point and more and more women were striving for equality and independence. A social drama on marriage, it raises questions about the female self-sacrifice in a male dominant world.

The play focuses on the typical Victorian housewife Nora who has nothing truly personal to her character as she has been morally moulded and taken care of her whole life first by her father and secondly her husband Torvald “I’ve been your doll-wife here, just as at home I was Papa’s doll-child.” The story of her concentrates on the struggle for independent identity.

Ibsen portrays strong usual gender traits in all of his characters, all the men seem to be of typical Victorian nature, and this is shown predominantly through Torvald. He is the businessman; the provider in his family and a reputable man in society. He has a superior attitude toward women and talks down to all female characters in the play. His consistent use of demeaning language toward Nora, his wife, and also the way he speaks to Mrs. Linde.

All three men have values that are proud, honourable and masculine, although they are all fairly ruling and quite demoralizing toward Nora. Torvald is demeaning to his wife through his consistent use of superior language “Is that my little skylark twittering out there?” with the words ‘my’ and ‘little’ he is talking to her like a possession and of lower significance.

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 Krogstad intimidates and blackmails Nora, “if I’m to be flung out for the second time, you’ll keep me company!” using language to frighten and exult power onto Nora.

Dr. Rank although not an intimidating or demeaning person to Nora, becomes an overbearing presence in Nora’s life when he confesses his love for her before his imminent death.

The women of the play are all of low education if any at all, thus presenting the female gender already to be of a lower stature to the male. But the women do support each other with each having great emotional strength, in ...

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