Feminism and A Doll's House Research Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 3256 words ( 11 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 10

Page 1 of 11

Feminism and "A Doll's House"

In the globe, feminism is a common practice in the social customs of both developed and developing nations. This is because, in both cases, there has been an apparent similar portrayal of women, who have gone through various phases of social levels compared to the consistent social dominance, which is evident in almost every society in the globe. Feminism seeks to know why women continue to play a subordinate role in most human social settings. In addition, the idea of feminism shows concern in respect to how the women's lives have changed in history. It also asks why women's experiences differ from those of men, whether the variations may have arisen due to historical or social construction.

In addition, feminism involves the belief in the social, economic, and political equivalence of the genders. Although research suggests that the practice originated in the West, currently, it is a worldwide phenomenon, represented by various organizations devoted to activity to seek women's rights and interests. Historically, the Western history suggests that women were confined to the domestic field; while, on the other hand, public life belonged to the men. For instance, in Europe, women had no right to own property, study or take part in public life. Additionally, at the end of the 19th century, in some parts of Germany, men had the rights to sell their wives (Casad and Alian 282).

The issue is still rampant because as late as the early 20th century, women in Europe and in the United States were not eligible to vote or hold elective offices. The concept of feminism is not universal because it involves other aspects including liberal, radical, and womanist issues. However, owing to the information provided above, in all the aspects, there are common attributes. First, there is identification that women receive different treatment compared to men, and they occupy a subordinate role in the society. Second, the feminists perceive gender and subsequent roles as social constructs; therefore, they believe it is possible to change, differently from the earlier values placed by the community. Third, feminism suggests that it is possible for women to be autonomous and self-dependent.

The concept of feminism still exists to date, but has a new name. Currently, modern feminist movements are known as "waves." This is because women comprise half of the globe's population, and the large percentage hold a subordinate role as compared to men. Moreover, compared to men, the women experience inequalities in all aspects of life including socially, politically, and economically and in domestic realms. For this reasons, feminism has managed to create or disclose some of the issues relevant to intergroup relations including feminist identities, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against women, rejection owing to dominance, and general action including social change (Casad and Alian 282-285).

Although women believe in feminist ideals, they are hesitant to accept the label "feminist." This is part of the third wave movement, in which women are fighting hard to uphold the rights they managed to achieve during the second wave, but this is still a struggle. Even though women might have achieved much prosperity in the workplace, their roles at home are similar to those of their grandmothers. During the 1990s and '80s, numerous conservative groups tried to undermine the accomplishments of the second wave, representing feminists as furious, anti-male, lesbian and so on. When one considers this or such negative representations, it is possible for them to comprehend why feminist women choose not to embrace the label "feminist."

Relationship between feminism and "A Doll's House"

Feminism was a movement that addressed the unfair treatment of women in society, a situation manifested in the roles played by women in the society. Similarly, in the play, there are many hints concerning the roles outlined by the society and how the females were treated at that time in history. Additionally, a keen look at the play, or evaluation of the play, it is evident that the author believed in the roles of society, fair treatment between genders and the concept of feminism. Therefore, A Doll's House is a play that makes it apparent the situation of things at the time in history and the belief of the author concerning the underlying issues (Sprinchorn 118).

In the past, women strove to achieve the goals set by their society, the same way Nora Helmer is a direct contrast with other women in the play. For instance, she is trapped in her physical home "dollhouse," whereas her husband has built a life for her and their children.

Stuck Writing Your "Feminism and A Doll's House" Research Paper?

View All Our Example Feminism and A Doll's House Research Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

We further see her discovering her role in the "dollhouse," which the society and her husband has forced or found it suitable for her, and the need to free herself, at any cost. This is the same concept outlined by the "feminist" women (Finney 89-105). They later came to realize that men and the society were using them, they had actually used the women as dolls, or puppets, who were to obey their "master's" say.

On the other hand, we see Anne Marie, the Helmer's nurse, who is a contrast to our main character Nora. Anne was Nora's childhood nurse, but eventually became her Emmy, Ivar, and Bob's nurse. However, for her to survive in the same society, she gives up her daughter for adoption, saying that she was obliged, that is if she wanted to become Nora's nurse (Shafer 31-34). This is the same case, in real life, where we have women fighting for the welfare of other women, including themselves, and others who simply give up. As per Nora, she refers Anne Maries "tragedy" as life because she chose to accept the role society placed on her, which she had an option to contest.

Although to some extent it is debatable that both Anne Marie and Nora helmer events are similar, they are also contrasting. Bothe women accept their position in the society, when Torvald explains to Nora concerning a deceitful mother will poison the child, she agrees, but eventually decides to abandon her dollies. Just as Anne, she complacently accepts the status given to her by the society, she allows her husband to choose a position for her, showing a side of neither Nora, which the reader might nor capture. However, her decision to leave her husband and her children, suggests realization of what the society tries to push on her, but later makes a real transformation.

Summary: A Doll's House

A Doll's House talks about Nora, who awakens from her unexplored life characterized by wifely comfort. Throughout her entire life, her father of her husband Torvald either ruled her. In such situations, Nora finally questions the basis of all she had believed in when she borrowed money from Krogstad, through forging her father's signature, which she used to pay for a trip to Italy for medication purposes for her husband. Since the event, Nora has been looking for ways to pay the loan. The play opens on Christmas Eve, and we find Torvald being promoted as manager of the bank, a position that will see him receive a huge salary and acquire substantial power.

On the other hand, when Nora learns of this she thinks that it will be easy to pay the loan, but this is short when Krogstad learns that Mrs. Linde was to get the managerial position. An angry Krogstad approaches Nora, and blackmails her on grounds that if she does not convince her husband to let him keep the position as promised, he is going to reveal Nora's secret. On the course, Nora is unsuccessful in this attempt because her husband suggests that he will send off a termination notice prepared for Krogstad. This comment worries Nora further, who opts to alter their marriage for the better, including a possibility of committing suicide.

In addition, we see Nora conversing and flirting with Dr. Rank, who later confesses the love he has for Nora, prior to her asking for financial assistance. However, Krogstad interrupts their conversation, and Nora asks the doctor to leave her with Krogstad. In their conversation, Krogstad suggests that he will keep her secret, but he insists on giving her husband a note explaining the matter. Nora objects to the idea, but Krogstad manages to put the note in Torvald's letterbox, which creates another tough situation for Nora. Although she manages to keep her husband away from the letterbox, this will not be forever (David and Lynn).

We also see Mrs. Linde and Krogstad re-uniting, they were old lovers. Mrs. Linde suggests that she would take care of Krogstad and his children. On the other hand, Torvald and Nora come into the room, and Torvald confesses the desire he has for her. The doctor interrupts the sweet moments; he came to say farewells to the two as he covertly explains to Nora. After leaving, Nora is able to tell Torvald to cease pursuing her by reminding him the ugliness of death, which had come between them in a bid to reveal Dr.….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Feminism And A Doll's House" (2013, November 26) Retrieved May 16, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/feminism-doll-house-178155

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Feminism And A Doll's House" 26 November 2013. Web.16 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/feminism-doll-house-178155>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Feminism And A Doll's House", 26 November 2013, Accessed.16 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/feminism-doll-house-178155
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example