Ibsens roles
Ibsens rolesThe movement from nineteenth-century Romanticism to twentieth-century Realism in art and literature sought to accurately reflect real life instead of idealizing it. Playwrights all over Europe and America rebelled against the established standards of a "well-made play". They shocked, as well as horrified their audience, by abstaining from writing a resolution, or an "ideal ending" in their plays. These innovators insisted on presenting social issues in a dramatic scenario, and imposed their discussions onto their audience. Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, the "Father of Realism" was one of the main advocates for social revolution. He was notorious for weaving controversial topics into his plays, as well as for including female leads. He knew very well that society’s oppression over women was a prime example of the hamper it placed over every person’s potential. Writing about women allowed him to make a universal call, not only to women, but to every sentient being. His plays cried out for the individual’s emancipation. In A Doll’s House , Ibsen portrayed the altruistic nature instilled into women by society, the consequential stunt of their development, and the need for them to find their own voice in a world dominated by men.
For ages, society has taught women to set aside their own needs and to focus on those of her husband and children. Women have been forced to be passive, gentle creatures who must also be willing to sacrifice themselves for others. Nora, the protagonist in the play, expresses her intention in protecting her husband at any price, "Torvald, with all his masculine pride--how painfully humiliating for him if he ever found out he was in debt to me." Nora will not admit to Torvald that she has saved his life, for he will most likely acquire an inadequacy complex for his inability to be in control over every aspect of his life. She prefers to be deprived of the credit she deserves than to hurt Torvald’s manly ego. She allows Torvald to treat her like a mischievous little spendthrift although he is not aware that "she had scrimped and skeletonized her own needs so that Helmer and the children had been deprived of nothing" (Salom�, 46). Nora has selflessly given up any extra money for herself so that her children and husband had plenty of money left for themselves. She needs not be praised for her efforts, but finds contentment in being able to provide for her family. After all, society has forever reminded women that the well-being of their family is directly related to how well they deal with their duties as mothers and wives. Torvald asks, "Aren’t they your duties[the most sacred] to your husband and children?" He dismisses the importance of a woman’s duties to herself. He believes that women do not need to live for themselves, but must make sure to make life...
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