A Dolls House
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A long time ago before I was born, a play which preceded its time was published, A Dolls House. The play deals with women becoming more independent. In the early 1900s and prior women were treated as property. During the time in which the play took place society frowned upon women asserting themselves. Women were supposed to play a role in which they supported their husbands, took care of their children, and made sure everything was perfect around the house. Work, politics, and decisions were left to the males. Noras first rejection from society was when she broke the law and decided to borrow money to pay for her husbands treatment. Noras second rejection from society was shown by her decision to leave Torvald and her children. This play helped to begin the feminist movement, where women began to stand up for themselves and question the legitimacy of the societal conditioning.
Noras decision to borrow money from her husbands treatment was her first rejection of her individuality. By doing this, she not only broke the law but she stepped away from the role society had placed on her of being totally dependent on her husband. She proved herself not to be helpless like Torvald implied: “you poor helpless little creature!”
Noras second rejection from society was shown by her decision to leave Torvald and her children. Society demanded that she take a place under her husband. This is shown in the way Torvald spoke down to her saying things like: “worries that you couldn
possibly help me with,” and “Nora, Nora, just like a woman.” She is almost considered to be property of his: “Mayn
I look at my dearest treasure? At all the beauty that belongs to no one but me -thats all my very own?” By walking out she takes a position equal to her husband and brakes societys expectations. Nora also breaks societys expectations of staying in a marriage since divorce was frowned upon during that era. Her decision to leave was totally defiance to society from all expectations put on a woman and a wife during that era. Evan to day if a woman leaves her children she is ridiculed for it.
Nora secessions are very deliberate and thought out. She knows what society expects of her and continues to do what she feels is right despite them. Her secessions are used