Through the 18th and 19th century the role of woman has been to be subordinate to her husband, raise children, and to stay home and keep house. Currently in the 20th and 21st centuries the role of woman has become almost as an equal to the male in many ways. In A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Nora Helmer defies her roles as a mother, wife, and prize possession of her husband Torvald Helmer. Throughout the play Nora continued to show signs of being more independent for what the time period was. She had personal wants to be educated, strong, and independent on her own.
Being a mother, wife, and woman myself I was raised in old school beliefs. Women are on a man’s arm, seen and not heard, taking care of the family and the home. Having the woman do the house work, while the husband did the outside work. Women in our family were expected to make sure the house was cleaned, kids were fed and sent to school, and the husband had what he needed for the work week to role smoothly. Even though being raised this way it is not the way our home is ran. My husband and I both work, in this society today it is a must to be able to take care of our family the way we want to live. I am an equal inside the marriage, as my husband is my equal. The gender role inside our home is not one of the typical early century role. We both do clothes, clean the house, and work to raise our children. This is not the dynamic in every home, and surely not the dynamic inside the play as Nora is seen to be a prize possession of Torvald, as seen by his numerous pet names such as “little squirrel, my sweet little skylark.”
In today’s society women have no boundaries as we are seen not only in the homes taking care of our families but out in society as well. Financial responsibility is seen as an important part of a woman’s job in the 21st century. Nora Helmer was a woman out of her time. She was the one who took chances for her family by taking out a loan while her husband was sick and unable to work and without a job. She took on the role as provider for her family while Anne-Marie cared for her children as a mother should. Anne-Marie, the Helmer’s wet maid, was one who surely sacrificed for her time. Her children and own life were shut down for their own good.
Nora Helmer, the main character of the play, was not your typical woman for the ages. She took out a loan without her husband’s knowledge, she worked prior to him gaining employment, and she had dreams of being more than what she was. Centuries ago women were expected to take heed to what her husband said, not to speak unless spoken to, and took the role of mother and wife to heart without question. Nora was very quick in not taking heed in what she was told by her husband as portrayed Torvald stated in the play, “No, I am sure of that; besides you gave me your word—Keep your Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas tree is lit, no doubt.” (Isben, 2001, Act I). During this it shows that Nora has already went against Torvald when she was ask not to go to the confectioners.
Mrs. Linde’s character inside the play was a very strong woman for her time. Taking care of her young brothers she put her life on hold to ensure the health and wellbeing of her siblings. This role was out of the norm for this time because men were the ones who were financially responsible for the families and made all the decisions for their said family as a way to show their status, or reputation. Inside the 21st century Mrs. Linde’s character would be seen as a normal role. Women all over are taking care of families by themselves, as well as being the only financially responsible one for the home. Decisions were made by men in the early years as more and more women are making the decisions now.
Nora’s role in A Doll’s house constantly showed her want to be different, her going against what should be for this time period. She showed throughout the play that she was going to be a force to be reckoned with. Nora of the 21st century would not have any problems in this day. Women take out loans, hold jobs, as well as hold position of power without having to ask for permission. Hiding her wants and needs so she would conform to her time and not place tarnish onto her family by stepping outside her husband’s wants and wishes. Isben showed Nora as a very closed character that was unable to be herself, unable to be happy inside her own life because she was “trapped” inside her life as a wife- not so much as a mother, I feel, as she was never given the chance to be anything other than a child with her father and a wife and mother with Torvald.
In conclusion, looking back throughout the years Henrik Ibsen is thoughtful when looking back into the female gender. Women could do only what the husband/head of the household said, very closed. Tradition was a way of life. Looking back it was not only Nora who challenged her way and role as a woman in her time. Refusing to conform to the normal roles and not be weak but ensure that she is educated herself and take control of her life, for her, not anyone else. Nora Helmer was a strong woman who wanted more, more equality, her own life, and own decisions. Having dreams and aspirations to be bigger than what the time she was born in.
