How Does the Title a Doll’s House Demonstrate an Allegory for Women’s Role at That Time?
Juan Pablo Romoleroux
Mrs. Jones
English III, Period: 4
20 March, 2012
How Does the Title A Doll’s House Demonstrate an Allegory for Women’s role at that time?
The door of A Doll’s House is closed at last. This is a symbol for the end of the way society thinks about women back in the Victorian era around the 19th century. At the time Henrik Ibsen wrote the play A Doll’s House in Norway, it was normal for society to look down upon such women that would leave their children and husbands behind. Men had a higher status than women at that time. The title “Doll’s House” ties well with the play because it illustrates how in the past, society treated women as dolls. The title of the play demonstrates an allegory for women’s roles because it shows how Nora is treated like a doll by her father and husband; she is even treated like a doll in society. Women such as Christine Linde and Nora, during this era, have lifeless lives. “Miss Sweet-Tooth” one of the many pet names used by Torvald for Nora shows how this names diminish the status on women compare to men. The pet name “Miss Sweet-Tooth” is used to refer Nora as if she is a child instead of Torvald’s wife hence the word “Miss”. "Is that my little lark, twittering out there?...When did my squirrel get home?" (12) are other examples of pet names used for Nora. It gives an image as if Tovarld is talking to his daughter or as if he is playing with dolls like a child. Not only the pet names diminish her status, but also Tolvard shows that he is in charge by prohibiting Nora from eating macaroons, making her dance the tarantella and by caring about his pride more than his wife. By prohibiting macaroons in the household it shows a simple example of how most of the men were in controlled over what can be done in the house. “She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens” (12) shows how she is afraid of Torvald and has to sneak away from him.
Mrs. Jones
English III, Period: 4
20 March, 2012
How Does the Title A Doll’s House Demonstrate an Allegory for Women’s role at that time?
The door of A Doll’s House is closed at last. This is a symbol for the end of the way society thinks about women back in the Victorian era around the 19th century. At the time Henrik Ibsen wrote the play A Doll’s House in Norway, it was normal for society to look down upon such women that would leave their children and husbands behind. Men had a higher status than women at that time. The title “Doll’s House” ties well with the play because it illustrates how in the past, society treated women as dolls. The title of the play demonstrates an allegory for women’s roles because it shows how Nora is treated like a doll by her father and husband; she is even treated like a doll in society. Women such as Christine Linde and Nora, during this era, have lifeless lives. “Miss Sweet-Tooth” one of the many pet names used by Torvald for Nora shows how this names diminish the status on women compare to men. The pet name “Miss Sweet-Tooth” is used to refer Nora as if she is a child instead of Torvald’s wife hence the word “Miss”. "Is that my little lark, twittering out there?...When did my squirrel get home?" (12) are other examples of pet names used for Nora. It gives an image as if Tovarld is talking to his daughter or as if he is playing with dolls like a child. Not only the pet names diminish her status, but also Tolvard shows that he is in charge by prohibiting Nora from eating macaroons, making her dance the tarantella and by caring about his pride more than his wife. By prohibiting macaroons in the household it shows a simple example of how most of the men were in controlled over what can be done in the house. “She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens” (12) shows how she is afraid of Torvald and has to sneak away from him.
Cited: Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll’s House. Clayton: Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Classics, 2005.