Lack Of Control In A Doll's House

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

“Sit down and play for me, Torvald dear; criticize me as you play”(48); in this case, Nora’s demand during the rehearsal of the tarantella - a form of dance performed during festivities, here symbolized by Ibsen as marital duties - indicate her lack of control over herself. The tarantella is evidently a symbol of marital duties due to its importance in Norwegian culture; therefore, when Nora demands for Torvald’s criticism and a promise to “…coach me up to the last minute” (49), it becomes evident that she lacks control over her own body. As indicated in the stage directions of page 48, “HELMER has taken up a position by the stove and during her dance giver her frequent instructions,” Nora complies thoroughly to all of Torvald’s demands, contorting her body in whichever manner he demands, unable to control her own physical movements. From her demands, it becomes clear that Nora believes she is incapable of performing correctly without Torvald’s criticisms. Not only does this demonstrate her physical powerlessness, but also hints at the inequality of rights between males and females. As Nora lacks power to control her own body from Torvald’s dominance, Ibsen indicates the asserting control men had over the lives of women of the era and the societal belief which suggested that men always made the right

As indicated by the stage directions, the right and left doors - leading to the housemaid/children’s rooms and Torvald’s office, respectively - are only accessed by the corresponding proprietors, while Nora remains confined in the central room for the entirety of the play. This direct use of doors physically restrains Nora’s movements around the house, demonstrating Nora’s physical powerlessness. Moreover, while Nora can access the room to the right, as “NURSE opens the door and EXITS,” (30) as it is frequently opened, she cannot access the room to left - it remains shut at all times; “[Nora] goes cautiously to the door and peeks inside” (33). Therefore, the differing rights of men and women can also be acknowledged; while all male characters are allowed to enter Torvald’s office, the women are not. This alludes to the societal barriers imposed on women - their ideal duties lie to the house (thus, the central room where household duties are performed) and the children, and they should refrain from any form of intellectual work, thus the forbidden office. Women evidently did not share the same rights as men, especially in the work field, and were physically powerless and imprisoned in their houses, like