Feminist Criticism In A Doll's House

How does Henrik Ibsen use characterisation to criticise the patriarchal society of the time?
How does Henrik Ibsen use the progressive characterisation of Nora to criticise the patriarchal society of the time?

Intro
Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House was written, published and first performed in 1879, to a societal backdrop dominated by men. Women, especially those married, were the victims of restrictive laws and expectations. Ibsen’s play revolutionised not just the superficial theatre of the time, but also criticised the social conventions of the patriarchal Norway and Europe. He condemns the economic dependency women have on their male counterpart whilst attacking the prejudices of bourgeois values. The characterisation of Nora provides the

This change is obvious in line 476 when Nora orders Torvald to ‘Sit down. There is a lot to say’. Following this affirmation, the length of Nora’s dialogue increases and consists of statements, rather than questions. She is now in control and has a new found dominance over her partner. Torvald’s language on the other hand becomes submissive, offering only brief responses to Nora’s attacks. In essence, this attack is representive of Ibsen’s attack on the societal conventions. Through Nora’s ultimate rejection of her society’s gender roles, Ibsen illustrates how there is some ability for these entrenched roots to be ripped up

The play closes on a positive note with Nora, representative of the supressed female, overcoming Torvald, representative of the oppressive male, however to express the true extent of this achievement, Ibsen makes evident the context of the struggle that society dictated women live by. The progressive characterisation of the protagonist Nora encapsulates Ibsen’s intention of pushing theatrical and societal norms through showing how women deserve to create their own identity and not be restricted by their male oppressors. Ibsen crafted every line to show the development of her dialogue, actions, setting and properties, and in doing so he potently slammed the door on the patriarchal society of the 19th