1 & 3, Urquhart Square, Manicktala, Azad Hind Bag, Kolkata, West Bengal

700006, India

MODERN EUROPEAN DRAMA

Project on the “The Constrictive Nature of Gender Roles” from Henrik

Ibsen’s The Doll’s House

HONOURS PAPER: ENGLISH HONOURS

CORE COURSE NO: 13

NAME OF THE STUDENT: ANIRBAN ROY

COURSE: B. A. HONS

COLLEGE ROLL NO: ENGA20M320

CU REGISTRATION NUMBER: 223-1112-0067-20

CU ROLL NO: 202223-21-0063

SEMESTER: 6

SESSION: 2020 – 2021

E-MAIL ID OF THE STUDENT: anirban249roy@gmail.com

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE PROSE:

Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian playwright and poet, considered one of the
most significant figures in world drama. Born in 1828 in Skien, Norway,
Ibsen's plays often explored themes of social and moral issues, challenging
the traditional values of his time. His works are renowned for their realism
and psychological depth, and his plays are still performed and studied
around the world.

"A Doll's House" is a play written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879, which has
become a classic of modern theatre. Set in Norway, the play follows the
story of Nora Helmer, a housewife who struggles to balance her roles as a
wife and mother while navigating the expectations of society. The play
explores themes of gender roles, marriage, identity, and the search for self-
realization. Ibsen's work is renowned for its realism and psychological depth,
and "A Doll's House" is no exception. It caused a stir when it was first
performed due to its controversial ending, which challenged the traditional
views of marriage and women's roles. The play has since become a classic of
modern theatre, with its exploration of social conventions and individual
identity continuing to resonate with audiences today.
 INTRODUCTION:

H
enrik Ibsen's play The Doll's House is a powerful critique of the
constrictive nature of gender roles and the impact it has on
individuals and society. The play explores the lives of Nora Helmer, a
young wife and mother, and her husband, Torvald Helmer, who represent
the traditional gender roles of the time. The play demonstrates the negative
effects of these gender roles and the harm they cause to individuals,
families, and society. This project aims to explore the constrictive nature of
gender roles in The Doll's House and how they limit the potential of
individuals and hinder progress towards gender equality.
 The Constriction of Gender Roles:

The Doll's House illustrates how gender roles are constraining and limit the
potential of individuals. Women are expected to be submissive, obedient,
and passive, while men are expected to be dominant, rational, and
assertive. These expectations are reinforced through societal norms and
institutions, such as marriage, religion, and the legal system. Nora's
character embodies the limitations of these gender roles, as she is trapped
in a marriage that restricts her independence and agency. Her husband,
Torvald Helmer, expects her to be a submissive and obedient wife, and Nora
conforms to these expectations to avoid conflict and preserve her marriage.

Moreover, the play suggests that gender roles are performative, meaning
that individuals must adopt certain roles and behaviors to fit into societal
expectations. Nora's character represents the idea that ‘gender roles’ is a
performance and individuals must adopt them to be accepted by society.
She wears a "mask" of femininity, playing the part of the "doll-wife" that her
husband wants her to be.
 The Harmful Effects of Gender Roles:

While gender roles may provide a sense of identity and purpose for
individuals, they also have harmful effects on individuals and society.
Gender roles contribute to gender inequality, limiting opportunities and
potential for individuals based on their gender. In The Doll's House, Nora is
denied the opportunity to pursue
her own interests and career
aspirations because she is
expected to prioritize her role as
a wife and mother. Her potential
is limited by the constraints of her
gender role, which contributes to
her feelings of entrapment and
frustration.

Moreover, gender roles contribute

to harmful power imbalances
within relationships and families.
In The Doll's House, Torvald
Helmer holds all the power within
the marriage, dictating Nora's
behavior and decisions. Nora's
lack of agency and power within
the marriage contributes to her
sense of entrapment and
oppression. The play suggests
that gender roles are harmful because they perpetuate unequal power
dynamics and limit the potential of individuals to reach their full potential.
 The Importance of Disrupting Gender Roles

The Doll's House highlights the importance of disrupting gender roles and
working towards gender equality. Disrupting gender roles involves
challenging societal expectations and norms, and creating space for
individuals to define themselves and their roles based on their own desires
and aspirations. Gender equality requires dismantling the harmful power
imbalances and inequalities
perpetuated by gender roles.

The play suggests that individuals

must resist societal expectations
and norms to disrupt gender roles
and work towards gender equality.
Nora's character represents the
importance of self-discovery and
self-determination, as she
recognizes the limitations of her
gender role and decides to take
control of her own life. Nora's
decision to leave her marriage and
pursue her own independence and
agency represents a significant
disruption of traditional gender
roles and a step towards gender
equality.
 Conclusion:

In conclusion, The Doll's House offers a complex exploration of the nature of

gender roles and their impact on society. While gender roles can be
oppressive and limiting, they can also provide structure and stability to
relationships and families. The play highlights the potential benefits of
gender roles, while also exposing the dangers of disrupting them. However,
the play also suggests that gender roles need to be reformed to allow for
greater equality and agency for individuals. Ultimately, The Doll's House is a
call for greater freedom, agency, and equality for all individuals, regardless
of gender.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my esteemed professors for their invaluable
guidance and support throughout my English Honours project. Their vast knowledge and
expertise in the subject has been instrumental in shaping my research and helping me develop a
deeper understanding of the topic. I would like to thank them for taking the time to provide
constructive feedback on my work, which has been immensely helpful in refining my ideas and
improving the overall quality of my project. Their encouragement and support have been a
constant source of motivation for me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from them. I
would also like to thank them for being approachable and readily available to answer my queries
and offer their insights. Their mentorship has been an enriching experience, and I feel privileged
to have had the opportunity to work with them. Once again, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to
my professors for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my English Honours
project.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/dollhouse/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Dolls-House
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view
Banerjee, Biplab. CBCS ENGLISH HONOURS HAND BOOK on Modern
European Drama CC-13; SEMESTER – 6 for CALCUTTA UNIVERSITY