A Doll's House: A Feminist Critique of Gender Dynamics and Marital Power Structures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59992/IJESA.2024.v3n6p2الكلمات المفتاحية:
Henrik Ibsen، symbolism of A Doll’s House، gender roles، domestic sphere، marital dynamics، women's liberationالملخص
Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House" is a landmark work in the canon of modern drama, renowned for its critical portrayal of the constraints imposed on women in the 19th century. This article examines "A Doll's House" through a feminist lens, exploring the extent to which the play serves as a critique of gender dynamics and the abuse of power by men within the institution of marriage. By analysing the historical and social context of the play, the characterization of Nora and Torvald Helmer, and the symbolism of the dollhouse, this study highlights how Ibsen exposes the oppressive nature of patriarchal society. Key findings indicate that "A Doll's House" not only challenges traditional gender roles but also advocates for women's autonomy and equality. The play's reception and enduring impact on feminist literature and movements underscore its significance as a powerful cry against the subjugation of women. Through this analysis, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of Ibsen's work and its relevance to contemporary discussions on gender and power.
المراجع
- Butler, J. (1990). *Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity*. Routledge.
- Connell, R. W. (2005). *Masculinities* (2nd ed.). University of California Press.
- Friedan, B. (1963). *The Feminine Mystique*. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Hooks, b. (2000). *Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics*. South End Press.
- Blackstone, K. (2016). *Reexamining Gender Roles in Ibsen's A Doll's House*. Modern Drama Studies, 29(1), 60-70.
- Brandes, G. (1970). Henrik Ibsen: A Critical Study. Archon Books.
- Brunnemer, L. A. (2017). Ibsen’s Heroines: A Feminist Analysis of Nora Helmer and Hedda Gabler. Scandinavian Studies, 89(4), 461-478. https://doi.org/10.5406/scanstud.89.4.0461
- Durbach, E. (1982). A Doll's House: Ibsen's Myth of Transformation. Twayne Publishers.
- Finney, G. (1994). Ibsen and Feminism. In G. Finney (Ed.), Women in Modern Drama: Freud, Feminism, and European Theater at the Turn of the Century (pp. 89-109). Cornell University Press.
- Henderson, A. (2018). *Power Dynamics and Female Agency in 19th Century Literature*. Gender and Literature Review, 45(3), 230-245.
- Jameson, S. (2015). *The Quest for Identity in Henrik Ibsen's Works*. Theatre Journal, 37(2), 98-110.
- Johnson, M. (2018). *Gender and Domesticity in Ibsen's A Doll's House*. Journal of Modern Literature, 42(3), 110-125.
- Moi, T. (1999). What is a Woman?: And Other Essays. Oxford University Press.
- Moi, T. (2006). Henrik Ibsen and the Birth of Modernism: Art, Theater, Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
- Northam, J. (1965). Ibsen's Dramatic Method: A Study of the Prose Dramas. Cambridge University Press.
- Smith, L. (2019). *Patriarchal Control in Henrik Ibsen's Plays*. Scandinavian Studies, 91(1), 40-55.
- Templeton, J. (1989). The Doll House Backlash: Criticism, Feminism, and Ibsen. PMLA, 104(1), 28-40. https://doi.org/10.2307/462329
- Thompson, E. (1985). Beyond Sense and Sensibility: Moral Reasoning and Women's Autonomy in A Doll's House. Modern Drama, 28(4), 516-530. https://doi.org/10.3138/md.28.4.516
- Thompson, L. (2017). *Patriarchy and the Domestic Sphere in A Doll's House*. Journal of Literary Criticism, 50(2), 140-155.
- Williams, R. (2020). *The Domestic Sphere as a Site of Oppression in A Doll's House*. Women's Studies Quarterly, 48(2), 70-85.
- Ystad, V. (1994). Ibsen and Women. In J. McFarlane (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Ibsen (pp. 160-178). Cambridge University Press.
