Deviance of Social Roles: A Doll House & Proof
In the plays, Proof by David Auburn and A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen, the protagonists deviate from their social norms by thinking outside of the box and living beyond the labels adhered to them. Every society has a set of rules, attached to certain roles that each member within that role is expected to follow. In Proof, Catherine’s mathematical ability dispels the stereotype that women can’t contribute to the field of mathematics and proves that her eccentric behavior isn’t due to being mentally ill. While in A Doll House, Nora’s awakening allows her to envision a life where she is free to think, act and live without having to rely on a man. She rejects her role as a wife and mother and realizes that she should be valued as a person not as a status symbol. Both Catherine and Nora empower themselves by defying social norms and prove that achieving success through predetermined accomplishments and sanctioned behaviors is not the only basis of societal worth.
In Proof, Catherine’s selfless choice to care for her ailing father, Robert, influences her mathematical proof by allowing her to understand mathematics through his perspective. The invaluable experience of being
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Nora’s flirtatious behaviors reveal a woman using her sexuality to get what she wants. In “A New World for Women” Stephanie Forward believes Nora’s behavior is “…flirtatious- even sexually manipulative. Perhaps, Nora has devised her own means of coping with her husband, and occasionally, she can circumvent his control.” (A New World for Women) In Act 2, Nora playfully hits Dr. Rank on the ear with her stockings and says “that’s for you...because you’ve been naughty.” (2.1.1307) Nora must play the role of dutiful wife and loving mother when with Torvald. Through secretly flirting with Dr. Rank, Nora deviates from those roles and expresses another side of her