Skip to main content

Did Henrik Ibsen say whether A Doll's House is a feminist play?

It is said that, when asked, Henrik Ibsen denied that A Doll's House was a feminist play; instead, he asserted it was a humanist play. Humanism, a social movement developed during the Renaissance, thought it necessary to re-introduce ancient Greek and Roman culture and philosophies into civilization. Humanists promoted a return to studying ancient Greek and Roman texts, and from these texts, they developed philosophies that endorsed fully participating in life, appreciating...

It is said that, when asked, Henrik Ibsen denied that A Doll's House was a feminist play; instead, he asserted it was a humanist play.

Humanism, a social movement developed during the Renaissance, thought it necessary to re-introduce ancient Greek and Roman culture and philosophies into civilization. Humanists promoted a return to studying ancient Greek and Roman texts, and from these texts, they developed philosophies that endorsed fully participating in life, appreciating life's luxuries and beauties, and engaging in "rich and varied human relationships" ("Renaissance Humanism," The History Guide). Humanists especially endorsed individualism through promoting the pursuit of individual liberties, and rejected any form of oppression, especially the oppression that is a direct result of social class systems ("Renaissance Humanism").

Ibsen saw his play, as well as his works in general, as humanist rather than feminist because his themes did not pertain just to women. While the two lead female characters are certainly oppressed, even male characters, like Krogstad, deal with social injustice. Krogstad, similarly to Nora, once committed a fraud to save his wife's life, just as Nora forged her father's signature on a loan to save her husband's life. As a result of Krogstad's "indiscretion," society treated him as an outcast, forcing him to earn a living in any way he can to provide for his sons. As Krogstad says to Nora in the opening act, "The law cares nothing about motives," which Nora notes is extremely unjust. As a result of unjust law and unjust society, Krogstad has had to fight for years to regain his reputation, which drove him to threaten Nora with blackmail.


Since Ibsen does not distinguish between male and female victims, arguing instead that both sexes are victims of society, his play is really a humanist play promoting the need for individuality and freedom from oppression, not a feminist play.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more