Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House was first published in 1879 and caused quite a stir. The play is set in the late nineteenth century but its themes of gender, work, and money are still relevant today. In A Doll's House, Ibsen explores the roles that men and women play in society as well as the power dynamics between them. He also touches on the topics of work and money and how they can be used to control people. While the play is over 140 years old, its themes are just as relevant today as they were when it was first written.
Ibsen's A Doll's House tells the story of Nora Helmer, a woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband, Torvald, is a controlling and abusive man who treats her more like a child than a wife. Nora is forced to live a life of lies and deception in order to keep up the facade of her perfect life. However, when her lies are exposed, she realizes that she has been living in a prison of her own making. Nora decides to leave her husband and children in order to find herself and figure out what she wants out of life. While this may have been seen as scandalous in Ibsen's day, it is an empowering act for Nora. She realizes that she does not need to stay in an unhappy marriage just because it is what is expected of her. Nora is ahead of her time in realizing that she deserves to be happy and to be treated with respect.
While Ibsen's play focuses on Nora's journey to emancipation, it also touches on the topics of work and money. In many ways, work is another form of prison for Nora. She has no job or career of her own and is completely financially dependent on her husband. This leaves her vulnerable to his abuse and control. When Nora does get a job, it is only because her husband has lost his job and they are in dire financial straits. Even then, she is only able to get the job because she uses her sexuality to manipulate her employer. This shows how women were often oppressed at work as well as at home in nineteenth century society.
The theme of money is also present in the play. Torvald controls the finances in their household and determines how much money Nora has access to. He also uses money as a way to control Nora by buying her expensive gifts that she does not need or want. When Nora asks him for money so that she can buy new clothes for an upcoming event, he refuses and tells her that she should be content with what she has. This highlights how unfair the distribution of wealth was during this time period as well as how men used money to control their wives.
A Doll's House addresses some very timely themes that are still relevant today. Gender roles have evolved since Ibsen's time but there are still many ways in which women are oppressed both at home and at work. Money continues to be used as a tool for control by those who have it. And work remains a key source of stress for many people with little chance for advancement or escape. Ibsen's play provides food for thought on all of these topics and more. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with modern audiences.
Though written over one hundred years ago, Henrick Iben’s A Doll’s House remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published. Ibsen expertly explores themes of gender inequality, work/life balance, and power dynamics within relationships—shedding light on the continued struggles of women to achieve equality both in private and public life. If you are interested in any of these topics, I highly recommend giving A Doll’s House a read.
