Up until the concluding scene of the play, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact message the author was trying to get across. One could imagine that the play was about women’s rights, but pro or con? The scenes contained so many sexist stereotypes and the date and era that the play was written and performed in can not help but confirm the reader’s suspicions that Ibsen was against women’s rights.
Upon further inspection, however, the reader can find much evidence of Nora’s attempts to cross over the gender lines in a positive light. Her actions are examples of what many prominent women would later do to help facilitate the women’s rights movement.
Initially, the reader sees Nora as a childish character, merely her husband’s pet. Then she confesses to Mrs. Linde her attempts to be an independent person, taking on work by herself and handling business matters behind her husband’s back; but even this is questionable as she approaches these matters with a substantial amount of naivety and blunders about quite a bit. But in the end, Nora has transformed into a motivated, driven individual who realizes what she wants for herself and is ready to do anything to achieve it. This when the reader realizes that her confessions of the secrets she had kept for many years was provoked by her jealousy of Mrs. Linde’s individuality and independence.
There is also a good amount of criticism of the male gender involved in the play. This can be seen in Torvald Helmer’s character, who is set up by the author in such a way that it is difficult not to dislike him. His selfishness and eagerness to look out for only himself is easily despised by the audience. Ibsen is making a point when, in the end, Nora decides to look for only herself and nobody else- clearly showing that she had crossed over the gender lines set by the society of the era and on to independence. (329)
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10 comments:
While I agree that Nora has gone and is going through a transformation, I am not so sure if it is either complete or if she knows what direction it should go. I thought your comment about how her telling of her secrets were provoked by her jealousy of Mrs. Linde's independence was particularly insightful, I hadn't thought of that before.
Your title is very good...compelling and rich.
yes! I was waiting for someone to write about this topic.
unfortunately, I agree with most of what you said, therefore I did not have much to say.
Good job chairman
I do agree with you in the fact that Nora goes through a transformation as the play progresses. I also found it insightful how you comment on Nora only telling Mrs. Linde of her secrets only after provoked by her jealousy of Mrs. Linde's independence. I don't necessarily agree with you statement that Ibsen was against women's rights for the play was on Nora gaining independence and a sense of self.
Nice job!
The role of gender roles (anaphora, I use it on purpose) in the play is something that I didn't think we discussed enough in our class, so I am happy to see that you have focused on it for your blog.
Your insight is just what I was looking for.
ETF
Mr. Chang, I believe we both answered the same question regarding the theme of the play. However, my answer dealt more in generalities, so I appreciate yours, which delved further into the specific themes of the play. Solid post.
Nice work, Andrew. Like Eric, I am pleased that you pursued the women right's aspect of this play, since we have not yet talked about that subject. I also agree with the point you made in your blog and in class today how Mrs. Linde sparked (as the catalyst, if you will) Nora's own personal female revolution. Well done.
Harry
Two things, Andrew Chang. Let me first say that this is not related to my comment on your blog. One: why does it say "Gender: Female" on your blog info? And two: What textual evidence is there that Krogstad has "true love" for Kristine Linde? I do not see any reason to believe that; she put him in the desperate situation he is in! A man who is that down on his luck in life, I believe, would not go running back to some old flame who caused him so much pain. Krogstad is a bitter man, which adds to his complexity as a character. This "true love" business ruins him for me: he loses all depth, and instead rather resembles Torvald in his devotion to Mrs. Linde. And I think we can both agree on the unrealistic nature of Torvald.
How say you? Call I mean post Adam I mean Harry.
RIP TACS
Chang! Nice job. Funny title. I laughed. I like this blog very much, because you point out that the author establishes a background of sexism the better to contrast the reader/viewer's final (and more enlightened) interpretation of Nora and Torvald and men and women in general. Good idea, good execution.
I concur with your thoughts on gender roles in this play other andrew. Nora's search for independence is a very important theme in the play and I am glad that you spoke about it
Andrew, I loved your title "A Doll's House: Ken and Barbie All Grown Up." I think that it is very clever. I also liked that you brought up the topic of women's rights. Well done.
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