Defying Societies Roles
For many years, women have struggled and fought for their right to vote. In 1920 women were granted this right, which meant that the government acknowledged their role as citizens in society. Before being legally declared citizens, many women had already begun to gain their independence and freedom by defying their roles society had created for them. No longer would they be the prisoner and their husbands the jailer. These were women who had a deep longing for an independent lifestyle and discarded responsibilities. Henrik Ibsen's, A Dolls House and Kate Chopin's, The Awakening are two examples of literature that portray characters that shed societies traditional roles. Nora being so dependent on her husband, Torvald is a reflection of the social tendencies at the time. When Nora needs assistance with her Christmas party costume, she says to Torvald, "I won't get anywhere without your help". Helmer just eats this up, and replies with, "You helpless little thing"(Act I pg 27). Helmer loves that she leans on him so much, and often calls her "the child". Helmer feels he has absolute say over her because he regards her as a possession, rather than a human being. The theme of a women's infl
Kristine felt it wasn't right to be happy, she needed to sacrifice and do what was best for the family. In the beginning, just because Edna wasn't interested in what he had to say when she was trying to sleep, he made up the fact that their son had a fever. This statement is also about her resisting the childhood life she had been living as Leonce's wife and beginning to grow up and stand up for herself and the things she wants in life. He only gives Kristine Linde a job at the bank to make Nora happy. Also, when Edna begins to take up painting, he tells her that she could be doing better things with her free time, such as; contriving for the comfort of her family. When he finally realises that she did do it out of love he says, "You have loved me the way a wife ought to love her husband"(Act III pg 63). Nora commits a crime, forgery, to save Helmer's life, and she is convinced that Helmer will save her when he finds out about it, especially when he tells her that he dreams of risking his life to save her. uence over her husband is shown in the novel. He says it will make him a laughingstock in front of the Bank staff members. Helmer's reasons for not keeping Krogstad are not based solely on the fact that he doesn't have a perfect past. It was seen as unacceptable and they would lose all respect. Nora had always been treated as a child; she needed to grow up herself before she helped her children grow up. It is hard to go against the grain, and it was practically unheard of back then.
Common topics in this essay:
Awakening Leonce,
Dolls House,
Chopin's Awakening,
Kristine Linde,
Societies Roles,
Nora Edna,
nora edna women,
dolls house,
themselves happy,
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husband children,
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Acceptance Essays
