The Doll House
When The Doll House was written in 1879, the world was still completely in the clutches of many horrific gender stereotypes. Women in particular were confined to very narrow roles, and were thought to be incapable of anything outside the scope of those roles. The Helmer household was founded upon these stereotypes, and as we eventually see, could not stand without them. Women were raised to believe that their place was in the home. Their primary functions were to cook, clean, bear children, maintain a nice home, and adorn themselves accordingly. In Nora's case, her main function is to keep up the facade of a "beautiful, happy home." On the other hand, men were raised to finance the whole charade. Husbands went to work every day, dealt with all of the harsh realities of the world, and brought home a paycheck. Helmer comes home every day to the comfort and entertainment provided by Nora, and that is the only way he knows that a marriage can be. Nora, however, knows that she is capable of more. When she was informed that her husband's life was in danger, she took a great financial burden upon herself. Although this was an act
As shown in the end of the play, when Nora leaves Helmer to discover her true self out in the world, these stereotypes are most often false. From the beginning of her life, she had a man to tell her how to live. When Nora is unable to account for where all the spending money that Helmer gives her is going, he just assumes that she is spending it foolishly, like a typical woman. " Instead of treating her like an equal partner in their marriage, he treats her as an ornament and a child. If Helmer had never found out about the loan Nora took out, Nora would probably not have ever had a reason to leave. That perhaps Nora knows more about money than how to spend it never enters Helmer's head. of love, Nora can't tell Helmer that she did it. Nora feeds into the illusion, of course, because part of her role as a wife is to ensure that her husband feels in charge, and secure in his manhood. How could she be expected to know that she was breaking a law by signing her father's name, when she had never been educated in the laws? During the last conversation that Nora and Helmer have, Nora finally realizes that she hasn't been happy in Helmer's home. During the time period in which The Doll House was written, women were almost forced to be docile and compliant. First it was her father, and then she was passed on to Helmer. She says that she has been content with her life there, but not truly happy. This is the life that women should want, and the life that women were told they should aspire to. Nora asks for Helmer's assistance in getting ready for the masquerade party, and Helmer has no idea that Nora is just trying to spare Helmer the truth about their marriage. This serves as proof to Helmer that women are unable to take care of themselves, or even think for themselves.
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Acceptance Essays
