Marriage in More Depth
In A Doll House, readers get a whole new perspective on marriage. Instead of having the impression that marriage is about love and happiness, is it really about power between the two sexes? Before reading this play, most might believe they understand marriage; they know what it entails. Henrik Ibsen opens up many topics in this play that can be argued by readers—marriage seeming to be the most understanding, and most relatable. Marriage involves futures and important decisions—it is an event that is life altering. Reading this play opens your eyes in a way to things that haven't yet been discovered to most people—things most people didn't realize about marriage. Like for example: marriage is always an endless competition—who can make the most money, who has the most control over what goes on in the house and with the family. Marriage is an endless game of who can do it better—who contributes what.
Most argue that with a married couple the man is usually the one to lead the family. Though some may believe that to be true, does that mean the wife should idolize the husband like in the play, A Doll House? Throughout the whole play, Nora idolizes Torvald, her husband. She constantly brags about his new, good paying job, and lets him treat her in any way he pleases. Right when her old friend, Mrs. Linde came to visit, she didn't fail to mention how her “husband’s been made manager of the Mutual Bank” (Ibsen, 1098). Right when Torvald became ill, Nora borrowed money, forged her father’s signature, and dropped everything including her responsibility as a mother to take her husband to Italy so he could heal. He constantly treats Nora as if she is his pet, calling her names she finds cute, like, “songbird” and “squirrel.” Later in the story, he even calls her his “most precious possession” (Ibsen, 1141). It is made very clear that Nora idolizes her husband, and her husband believes that Nora is his possession. Torvald in many occasions refers to Nora as his child, saying, “The child shall have her way” (Ibsen, 1134). This also helps readers understand how much Torvald really thinks he owns Nora. Throughout the story you constantly see Nora follow every order Torvald has without question because he is supposed to be the head of the household.
Does the "songbird" represent frailness and beauty?
Most would argue that this is not how marriage is supposed to be. Some could say this is accurate in a marriage today. What about independence and decision making being even between husband and wife? Some may even say that because of certain religious beliefs or time periods, that is why a marriage is the way it is. So should the husband have control of the wife and the wife worships her husband and his hard work? Should the wife stay home, send the children to the nurse, focus on being pretty and do what makes her happy? Or should both husband and wife work and the roles that have be even? Due to what is common today, most families have households where the two parents both work and have a job. They treat each other evenly and they both have their certain, given responsibilities.
What about stereotypes in a marriage? Men usually do the yard work, the building and fixing. Women usually are in charge of laundry, cleaning, and cooking. Though in some families, that may be different. Just talking in stereotypes though, the first thing you think of when you think of a married couple and the responsibilities of a man and woman, those are the responsibilities that usually come to mind. So, maybe Ibsen was trying to emphasize stereotypes with his play, where Nora was the stay at home mom who stayed pretty while watching over and worshiping her husband, and Torvald was the husband who worked a lot, made all the money, and came home to a pretty wife, not even paying any attention to his children because that was not in his list of responsibilities. In fact, all he ever did was work. He would get home, talk to his wife and then claim, “he needed to get some reading done before dinner” (Ibsen, 1116). In Torvald’s eyes, Nora’s responsibilities were crocheting, giving the children some attention now and then, and spending his money. He cared about the position he held at the bank, and coming home to a beautiful wife every night. It was made very clear that Torvald didn’t have much regard for his children, in fact, he barely mentions them. That is not his job—once again backing up the topic of stereotypes.
With marriage and stereotypes, sexism also seems to be able to fit in. Ibsen does a great job at showing Nora as a helpless little “songbird” and as being Torvald’s prized possession. Readers may feel a great sense of sexism throughout the play, but also especially when Torvald says, “Do you know—when I’m at a party with you, like tonight—do you know why I hardly ever talk to you, why I keep away from you, only to look at you once in a while—a few stolen glances—do you know why I do that? It’s because I pretend that you are my secret love, my young, secret bride-to-be, and nobody has the slightest suspicion that there is anything between us” (Ibsen, 1141) Are wives supposed to be prized possessions? Ibsen again presents an argument with the relationship between a man and woman.
Many other pieces of literature show examples of sexism. It varies from literature that is read in school, at home for teens, or even books for younger children. One book that has examples of sexism, but has more subtle ways of expressing it is, The Great Gatsby. We see wives like Dasiy who doesn't have a job. She has a child who she barely ever spends time with, she attends many parties looking beautiful, while her husband, Tom works and talks business constantly, making money. There are also teen reads like Twilight and Hush Hush, that show extreme cases of male dominance. Even though the characters in these books may not be married, male dominance is still a key factor. The men are always more powerful, being portrayed as angles or vampires, while the girls are frail and helpless. These books may not be examples of great literature, but they are great examples of power, sexism, and stereotypes.
With marriage, there are things that make it successful. Ibsen does an impeccable job at arguing these facts with his play. He merges stereotypes, sexism and marriage into one. Here, readers ponder what marriage really is, and what the roles SHOULD be between a couple; if they believe the roles in A Doll House are accurate. They also can ponder more stereotypes seen in the play, and maybe how sexism affects life today in relationships. Ibsen shows us so many different arguments and facts with his play that are relatable to life today. His arguments brought out thoughts that were unknown before reading the play.
Works Cited
"Henrik Ibsen." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http:// www.biography.com/people/henrik-ibsen-37014>.
"Pioneers in Dictionary Publishing since 1819." Definition of “male-dominated”. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/male-dominated>.
"Sexism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/sexism>.
"Songbird." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbird>.
"Songbird." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http:// www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/songbird>.
"Stereotype." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http:// www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotype>.
In A Doll House, readers get a whole new perspective on marriage. Instead of having the impression that marriage is about love and happiness, is it really about power between the two sexes? Before reading this play, most might believe they understand marriage; they know what it entails. Henrik Ibsen opens up many topics in this play that can be argued by readers—marriage seeming to be the most understanding, and most relatable. Marriage involves futures and important decisions—it is an event that is life altering. Reading this play opens your eyes in a way to things that haven't yet been discovered to most people—things most people didn't realize about marriage. Like for example: marriage is always an endless competition—who can make the most money, who has the most control over what goes on in the house and with the family. Marriage is an endless game of who can do it better—who contributes what.
Most argue that with a married couple the man is usually the one to lead the family. Though some may believe that to be true, does that mean the wife should idolize the husband like in the play, A Doll House? Throughout the whole play, Nora idolizes Torvald, her husband. She constantly brags about his new, good paying job, and lets him treat her in any way he pleases. Right when her old friend, Mrs. Linde came to visit, she didn't fail to mention how her “husband’s been made manager of the Mutual Bank” (Ibsen, 1098). Right when Torvald became ill, Nora borrowed money, forged her father’s signature, and dropped everything including her responsibility as a mother to take her husband to Italy so he could heal. He constantly treats Nora as if she is his pet, calling her names she finds cute, like, “songbird” and “squirrel.” Later in the story, he even calls her his “most precious possession” (Ibsen, 1141). It is made very clear that Nora idolizes her husband, and her husband believes that Nora is his possession. Torvald in many occasions refers to Nora as his child, saying, “The child shall have her way” (Ibsen, 1134). This also helps readers understand how much Torvald really thinks he owns Nora. Throughout the story you constantly see Nora follow every order Torvald has without question because he is supposed to be the head of the household.
Does the "songbird" represent frailness and beauty?
Most would argue that this is not how marriage is supposed to be. Some could say this is accurate in a marriage today. What about independence and decision making being even between husband and wife? Some may even say that because of certain religious beliefs or time periods, that is why a marriage is the way it is. So should the husband have control of the wife and the wife worships her husband and his hard work? Should the wife stay home, send the children to the nurse, focus on being pretty and do what makes her happy? Or should both husband and wife work and the roles that have be even? Due to what is common today, most families have households where the two parents both work and have a job. They treat each other evenly and they both have their certain, given responsibilities.
What about stereotypes in a marriage? Men usually do the yard work, the building and fixing. Women usually are in charge of laundry, cleaning, and cooking. Though in some families, that may be different. Just talking in stereotypes though, the first thing you think of when you think of a married couple and the responsibilities of a man and woman, those are the responsibilities that usually come to mind. So, maybe Ibsen was trying to emphasize stereotypes with his play, where Nora was the stay at home mom who stayed pretty while watching over and worshiping her husband, and Torvald was the husband who worked a lot, made all the money, and came home to a pretty wife, not even paying any attention to his children because that was not in his list of responsibilities. In fact, all he ever did was work. He would get home, talk to his wife and then claim, “he needed to get some reading done before dinner” (Ibsen, 1116). In Torvald’s eyes, Nora’s responsibilities were crocheting, giving the children some attention now and then, and spending his money. He cared about the position he held at the bank, and coming home to a beautiful wife every night. It was made very clear that Torvald didn’t have much regard for his children, in fact, he barely mentions them. That is not his job—once again backing up the topic of stereotypes.
With marriage and stereotypes, sexism also seems to be able to fit in. Ibsen does a great job at showing Nora as a helpless little “songbird” and as being Torvald’s prized possession. Readers may feel a great sense of sexism throughout the play, but also especially when Torvald says, “Do you know—when I’m at a party with you, like tonight—do you know why I hardly ever talk to you, why I keep away from you, only to look at you once in a while—a few stolen glances—do you know why I do that? It’s because I pretend that you are my secret love, my young, secret bride-to-be, and nobody has the slightest suspicion that there is anything between us” (Ibsen, 1141) Are wives supposed to be prized possessions? Ibsen again presents an argument with the relationship between a man and woman.
Many other pieces of literature show examples of sexism. It varies from literature that is read in school, at home for teens, or even books for younger children. One book that has examples of sexism, but has more subtle ways of expressing it is, The Great Gatsby. We see wives like Dasiy who doesn't have a job. She has a child who she barely ever spends time with, she attends many parties looking beautiful, while her husband, Tom works and talks business constantly, making money. There are also teen reads like Twilight and Hush Hush, that show extreme cases of male dominance. Even though the characters in these books may not be married, male dominance is still a key factor. The men are always more powerful, being portrayed as angles or vampires, while the girls are frail and helpless. These books may not be examples of great literature, but they are great examples of power, sexism, and stereotypes.
With marriage, there are things that make it successful. Ibsen does an impeccable job at arguing these facts with his play. He merges stereotypes, sexism and marriage into one. Here, readers ponder what marriage really is, and what the roles SHOULD be between a couple; if they believe the roles in A Doll House are accurate. They also can ponder more stereotypes seen in the play, and maybe how sexism affects life today in relationships. Ibsen shows us so many different arguments and facts with his play that are relatable to life today. His arguments brought out thoughts that were unknown before reading the play.
Works Cited
"Henrik Ibsen." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http:// www.biography.com/people/henrik-ibsen-37014>.
"Pioneers in Dictionary Publishing since 1819." Definition of “male-dominated”. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/male-dominated>.
"Sexism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/sexism>.
"Songbird." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014. <http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songbird>.
"Songbird." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 19 Dec. 2014. <http:// www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/songbird>.
"Stereotype." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014. <http:// www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereotype>.