"A Doll's House"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House" holds an unsurpassed place in the history of women's emancipation movement. The fact that it was a man who wrote this and not a woman lends it even further credibility since it highlights the truth that pain and anguish of women are not only felt by women themselves but by all perceptive empathetic individuals. It examines how the play appeared in 1879 when women were still completely suppressed and success of marriage was dependent on women's obedience, subservience and silence and how it was in such times that Ibsen came forward with a completely refreshing viewpoint on the issue.

From the Paper:

"Females like Nora did not find heavy presence in literature and the few cases where they did, social norms still heavily influenced their acceptance. For this reason Nora's role gained immense significance in theatrical circles especially among the younger generation, many of who accepted Nora's words as their pearls of wisdom. She became a role model for younger women and the importance of her role in triggering the revolution for emancipation cannot be denied. Critics feel that subjugation of women in the 19th century could be attributed to their financial dependence. Since they were not participating in the economic activity, they had only their husbands to rely on for monetary assistance."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Vera Schwarez. (1975) Ibsen's Nora: the Promise and the Trap. Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars Volume: 7. Issue: 1.
• Harold Bloom (ed) (1999) Henrik Ibsen; Chelsea House Publishers; Philadelphia;
• Brian W. Downs. (1950) A Study of Six Plays by Ibsen. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, England.
• Cynthia Griffin Wolff (1994) Lily Bart and the Drama of Femininity. American Literary History. Volume: 6. Issue: 1.

More papers on "A Doll's House":

• Analytical Essay # 8140 : "Ibsen's "A Doll House"
• Essay # 87734 : "A Doll House and Medea"
• Analytical Essay # 58442 : "Relationships in "A Doll House"
• Poem Review # 138815 : "My Life Is a Doll House"

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