A Doll House

A main theme in literature is gender issues, especially women's rights.  An example of this is the play "A Doll's House."  In fact becuase of the issues presented the play is also known as "A Doll House."  Throughout the play, Nora admits that she had forged her father's signature in order to pay for a trip to improve her husband's conditions.  Krogstad wants to press charges for this crime, but Nora believes that nothing will ever happen to her.  This just shows Nora's ignorance to the world.  She believes that a ridiculous miracle will happen in which her husband takes the blame for her crime.  Her husband also treats her as a child.  He tells her what to do and often refers to her as "girl."  He easily holds all of the power in the relationship and believes that Nora would get nothing done if not for his guidance.  This is why I believe that the play should be called "A Doll House."  Torvald treats Nora like she is a doll.  She does what he tells her to do and she has really no other importance to him.  When she leaves his main reason for her to stay is to keep his reputation up.  Nora posseses nothing in the house, except she is in control of the children. 

Although the treatment of women is more equal to men now than it is during the time period of the play, there is still one similarity that stands out.  This is the need for independence.  Nora believes that she needs time to herself to become her own person.  She leaves her old life behind including her children.  She also disobeys Torvald unnoticably by eating macaroons and swears.  In modern society women are taking jobs, living on their own, and having their own lives in general without men.