Over the course of history, gender rights and equalities have remained prevalent topics; societies and cultures around the world struggle with the issues condoned by the inequalities existing between the genders. From the most isolated islands to the most urbanized cities, over time, women have suffered greatly under the overshadowing dominance self-imposed by men. Amidst varied characteristics which can be used to describe the social situation of women during the nineteenth century, it can rightfully be classified as powerless pleasers for the men in their lives - they lacked control and possessed limited authority in familial settings. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, a theatrical play which revolves around the familial values and tensions within a Norwegian marriage is an insightful view into the social context and accepted values of Northern Europe in the late-nineteenth century, accurately illustrating the existing discrepancies between the rights of men and women. Through the recurring use of symbolism, Ibsen classifies Nora as a powerless woman …show more content…
The symbols which are strategically placed throughout the play, reinforce the powerlessness faced by women, specifically Nora. This lack of authority is experienced in various aspects of their life, such as: the pursuit of their desires, their physical powerlessness and imprisonment and their inability to control their fate. Although at first glance this portrayal of women may appear extremely demeaning and degrading, Ibsen’s use of symbolism to highlight their powerlessness serves as an effective technique to artfully express the contextual and cultural realities which flourished during the time of the play’s publication; it further aids the reader to develop a deeper understanding of differences between gender rights which exist around the