Skip to main content

How is A Doll's House a play about humanism?

A Doll's Houseis a humanist text. The main character, Nora Helmer, has spent her entire life adopting the views of other. She has been less of a human and more of a doll, first for her father and then for her husband. She has little opportunity to fully develop a sense of self or to formulate her own views or express them. Nora also cannot work, other than a few odd jobs, as that...

A Doll's House is a humanist text. The main character, Nora Helmer, has spent her entire life adopting the views of other. She has been less of a human and more of a doll, first for her father and then for her husband. She has little opportunity to fully develop a sense of self or to formulate her own views or express them. Nora also cannot work, other than a few odd jobs, as that would be an attack on her husband's "masculine pride." Throughout the play, Nora must hide her true self. Even if she wants to eat a macaroon, she must hide this from her husband.


At the end of the play, Nora finally decides to assert herself and chooses to leave her husband and children to discover the world and educate herself. Nora says, "I have to stand completely alone, if I'm ever going to discover myself and the world out there." While her husband believes that her first duties are to her husband and children, Nora claim that her duties to her self are "equally sacred." She says, "before all else, I'm a human being, no less than you -- or anyway, I ought to try to become one."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more