The Awakening and A Doll House Comparison Essay

Women roles have drastically changed since the late 18th and early 19th century. During this time, women did not have the freedom to voice their opinions and be themselves. Today women don’t even have to worry about the rules and limitations like the women had to in this era. Edna in “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and Nora in “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen were analogous protagonists. The trials they faced were also very similar. Edna and Nora were both faced with the fact that they face a repressive husband whom they both find and exit strategy for. For Nora this involved abandoning her family and running away, while Edna takes the option that Nora could not do-committing suicide. These distinct texts both show how women were forced to …show more content…
At the beginning of “A Doll House,” everything seems well. Nora and Torvald Helmer seem quite happy together. Torvald speaks to his wife in a rather demeaning way, but she doesn't really seem to mind. The Helmers are both excited because Torvald has gotten a new job as the manager of a bank and now money won't be a concern. Nora's old school friend, Mrs. Christine Linde, arrives hoping that Torvald might be able to give her a job. Over the course of their conversation, Nora confesses to Christine that she has a secret. Nora refuses to tell Christine who she borrowed money from, but does explain why she had to borrow it. Early in the Helmers' marriage, Torvald got sick and the doctor prescribed a trip south to warmer climates as the only way to save him. At the time, they didn't have the money for such a trip. To save Torvald‘s pride, Nora borrowed money without his knowledge and funded a year in Italy. In order to pay it off, she's been using money from the allowance Torvald gives her. Krogstad turns out to be whom she borrowed the money from. Krogstad is furious because Torvald is going to fire him. He threatens to expose Nora's crime (forging her father’s signature after he was dead in order to get the loan) if he loses his job and so begins blackmailing her. Nora begs Torvald to get Krogstad back, but refuses because he can't stand being around such awful people. Krogstad writes a letter to Torvald telling him the truth and leaves it in

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The Awakening and A Doll House Comparison Essay

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