The Concept of Feminism in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll's House

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of women and their right in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll's House (1879). Ibsen, one of the world’s greatest dramatists, is considered as the father of modern drama, and as one of the great supporters of women. He never calls himself a feminist, and he is more a humanist. There are indeed plenty of feminist tendencies in his plays. Based on Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of woman as “the Other,” this paper will show the untrue system of marriage, stressing on individuality of women and fighting for their freedom, in addition protesting to all restrictions in society. Under the impact of Ibsen’s ideology, individuality and humanity are the most important social issues which are developed in his works. All social instructions and conventions are the enemy of every individual because they restrict the characters’ personal identity and their freedom. In particular, Ibsen expands this outlook on the women’s position whose individuality and freedom are taken by masculine society. Nora, as a woman, a wife, or a mother, behaves like a doll. She is under the control of the invisible hands and the pressures of patriarchal society. Ibsen protests against the position of women in a masculine society which is unfair and under the hegemony of male-dominated powers.

Keywords: Freedom, Humanity, Identity, Individuality, Masculine Society, Patriarchal Society.