In Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Ibsen explores as to why Nora, the Research Paper

In Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Ibsen explores as to why Nora, the main character and protagonist, lacks such values and str - Research Paper Example Through the ‘ideology of separate spheres’, women became trapped within the domestic sphere, thus isolating them from the world and holding them back from forming complete identities. The reference used by Ibsen for the title, suggests the false and constructed reality of the domestic sphere as it limits women from reaching their potential In Henrik Ibsen’s â€Å"A Doll House† Ibsen explores as to why Nora, the main character and protagonist, lacks such values and struggles to find her own authentic identity in the face of a tyrannical male domineering society. During the 19th century a specific ideology in Victorian England emerged that defined the spaces in which the genders were assigned. Women were confined to the dominion of their husband within the domestic sphere, their lives to be lived within the space of home and social experience. Males were in dominion of the public sphere, their lives expanded to include business and politics with women not all owed, by law, to participate in their lives, which included their economic status where financial and real estate was concerned. There is some debate about the representation of separate spheres within literature. ... Some of this might be observed with â€Å"A Doll’s House†, although not outside of a believable relationship between a man and a woman, there is a distinct point made about the nature of male oppression. As Helmer uses diminutive language towards his wife, he sets the nature of their relationship through treating his wife like a child, a ‘doll’ that is coddled and protected into an unrealistic framework in which he dominates all important aspects of their life together. Helmer says to her â€Å"The same little feather head† and â€Å"Hasn’t Miss Sweet-Tooth been breaking rules in town today?† (Ibsen 12, 14). In regard to her spending habits he says â€Å"It’s a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of money† (Ibsen 14). He treats her like a child, speaking to her in a manner that is condescending and without any sort of recognition of her adult place within the marriage. Nora is not a complete person to him, but someone who has no sense and must be considered without any regard to the concept of her opinion. He determines what is important within the household and when he fails to see some of the aspects of domestic life that must be attended, she must find ways to manipulate their relationship in order to accomplish what must be done. Her choices are limited because she is not considered to have a valuable place within their household, other than that which he has determined she is qualified to hold. When Helmer addresses her by saying â€Å"Hasn’t Miss Sweet-Tooth been breaking rules in town today†, he is chastising her like she is a naughty child, ‘teasing; her with the idea that she is not in control of her desires and impulses (Ibsen 14). He further diminishes her when he speaks to her without a direct application of her name, the