I usually find feminist writings to be over the top. They have men playing the bad guy rather than playing realistic men. In A Doll’s House Ibsen, whether on purpose or not, presents a realistic feminist story that is far more effective than any other feminist writing I have read.
At first I like most others found the marriage between Torvald and Nora to be unusual, but on the most part healthy and happy. Torvald doesn’t seemingly show respect to Nora in a regular way, but his love for her seems so strong that I believed he did respect her deep down in his heart. This stood up in my mind through most of the story until of course the revelations in the letter. The only thing before the revelation that I can now look back on and see as I sign of lack of true love and respect for Nora is that Torvald never noticed that there was something seriously troubling Nora.
I believe although cannot say for sure (due to lack of experience) that if the person you had been bound to in marriage was in such mental distress you would be able to see beyond the obvious. Torvald only could see that it was because Nora had promised to keep Krogstad’s job for him and Torvald had rejected that she was in a mood . Torvald is disconnected from the fact that Nora is a real person and can possibly have issues larger than those of the average housewife and mother. This disconnect is also apparent when looking at how he treats her regularly. The pet names Torvald constantly uses when speaking to Nora I believe are meant to belittle her rather than show love.
Christine is a contrast to Nora. She may be out of luck at the moment she is reintroduced to Nora’s life, but she is composed and on the rise due to her independence. Her independence also allows her to see how deprived Nora is of respect from Torvald. This is what causes her to present the opportunity for Torvald to redeem himself. Krogstad although very prominent in the “plot” has very little to do with the purpose of the story. His main effect is to show how a man can rely on a woman and accept her back even after being hurt substantially.
On to the climax. It is quite obvious what happens and why. Torvald makes the decision that changes everything. Nora responds in a way that many might see as an overreaction, but is essentially the only possible way to be happy ever again. He abandons her mentally and she abandons him physically.
It is not a story about equality. It is a story about respect and love. How people should treat each other under circumstances that are regular and out of the usual.
and no
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5 comments:
EL--good post. I like your last paragraph especially, as it relates to my belief that this isn't actually a feminist play. It raises so many questions about the power of social conventions to stifle human potential that to me it transcends the related but perhaps narrower question of women's rights. The men are affected by these conventions (honor, reputation, law) as much as the women.
Eric, I applaud your ability to effectively analyze the feminist aspects of the play, whether or not it was a feminist play.
Kudos.
I still see A Doll's House as over-the-top. But that's just me.
I'm glad we agree on feminists.
Eric Lewis--
You seem to have a very measured response this week which is nice to see every once in a while. You make some good points regarding Torvald's behavior and he is in fact a terrible husband. You had a little worried there for a while, but after reading you last sentence I feel a lot better .
I really liked your blog.
You made some good points.
However, you may not be aware that women are quite good at hiding their true emotions from men.
Torvald might not be completely hopless..
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