Feminism In A Doll's House

Henrik Ibsen’s A Dolls House is “one of the greatest scandals in literary history” (4). Once it was performed in Copenhagen in 1879, critics and audience members seemed to misunderstand whether it was a feminist or anti-feminist play (2). The patriarchal society during the 19th century valued masculinity; therefore Nora’s decision to leave her husband aroused emotion. The first appearance of the book reflects the theme of women’s liberty, although Ibsen manipulates control within this play having it really be a tragedy. Thus it creates an understanding to why the play is “no more about women’s rights than Shakespeare’s Richard II is about the divine right of kings”(3). Ibsen utilizes stage directions, which evidently portrays the book to be an anti-feminist in regards to the role of women during the 19th century, despite the overall impression of the book.
Ibsen’s contrast of characters through stage directions shows Nora’s suppression. Nora fits to Torvalds desire, whereas Mrs. Linde rejects Torvald implement’s of societal standards on her. Torvald comments on Mrs. Linde’s knitting when he says, “But knitting is always ugly” and suggests embroidery to be, “so much prettier”. Ibsen represents Mrs. Linde’s as a rebel against societal norms by not having a husband whilst providing for herself; uncommon traits of women during the nineteenth century. Ibsen has Torvald suggest to Mrs. Linde to be more aesthetically pleasing, implementing his influences determined by societal