Gustaveson 1 Taylor Gustaveson Ms. Wooten English II 19 May 2011 I am Woman As Estelle R.

Ramey once said, Women's chains have been forged by men, not by anatomy. For centuries, women have been looked down upon by the male. Since then, women have unleashed some of the most important discoveries, but the female population is still cursed with stereotypes. In the Norwegian play A Dolls House, Henrik Ibsen sheds some light on the touchy subject of sexism through the relationships of Nora and Torvald, Nora and Christine, and Nora and Krogstad. The marriage between Nora and Torvald really resembles the sexism that lurks in society. Throughout the play, Torvald frequently calls his wife, Nora, silly pet names. It is demeaning because he compares her to various animals, like when he says, The squanderbirds a pretty little creature (Ibsen 142). He is consistently treating her like an entertaining toy that will do anything for him. Noras obedience as a wife exceeds normality when she says, I will do everything I can think of to please you, Torvald! (144). This compliance also applies to the things that make Nora the happiest. She loves to eat macaroons, but Torvald never lets her because he doesnt want his perfect wife to gain weight. He controls her diet, but she lets him because she feels she has a lower social status. This feeling is evident due to the amount of sexism in their relationship. In addition to Torvald, Noras relationship with Christine demonstrates the social problem of sexism. In the beginning of the play, Noras old friend, Christine, visits to

Gustaveson 2 restore their friendship. She, however, was just widowed. It bothers Nora that she never bared her husband children and that she does not care very much that he is dead. This exemplifies how Nora thinks she needs Torvald to survive. She is accustomed to the stereotype that a womans job is to make her husband happy and bare him children. It is baffling to her that Christine did neither (145). Also, when Christine visits, she asks Nora for a favor. Her wish is that she will get Torvald to give her a job at the bank. However, Nora is puzzled when she says, Oh, but Christine, thats dreadfully exhausting; and you look practically finished already! (146). Nora does not understand that women have the ability to work just as much as men. Neither do many others due to the stereotype that only men can work. Sexism is present throughout the relationship of Nora and Christine while they talk about work. The relationship that Nora has with Krogstad also shows that sexism exists in society. Throughout the play, Nora acts uncomfortable around Krogstad because she borrowed money from him to help Torvald overcome an illness. This is controversial because women are not supposed to be involved with financial issues; only men deal with the serious problems. Krogstad is angry, however, because Nora has not paid him yet. During this part of the play, Nora begins to rebel against the male figure when she says, Just because one is a woman doesnt necessarily mean that (153). This is the first sign of her realizing that women can do just as much as men. Also, Nora is lying to Torvald because she does not want him to find out that she borrowed money. Krogstad does not agree at all because he feels that, as a woman, she should not disobey her husband like that (152). This all plays in to how the relationship between Nora and Krogstad demonstrates the sexism in society.

Gustaveson 3 Throughout the entire play A Dolls House, the social problem of sexism is demonstrated through Noras relationships with Torvald, Christine, and Krogstad. Centuries ago, sexism went unnoticed, but still today there are stereotypes that are recognized, but they are not fixed. As stated by Estelle R. Ramey, women are not born as cooks and maids, but men put them into those roles.

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Works Cited

Ibsen, Henrik. A Dolls House. World Drama. Ed. Ralph, Talchuk. Austin, Texas: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1980. 140-185. Print.