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Voice and voicelessness in society as in the play, A Doll’s house
From early history, women and children are the most vulnerable and voiceless group in the community; they have been rendered mute, hidden from view, and continue being victims of endless suffering. This is evident in the play A Doll’s House by Henry Ibsen, which is based on a real event on his own life. The concept of voice and voicelessness in society is an oft-noted characteristic in the play, which brings out the popular term, “A woman’s place is at home” According to the play; The people with a voice are the men who are the head of the household. In contrast, the voiceless are the women who are meant to stay home with the children and take care of the house.
Women are perceived as children who are not in line with the real world. This is evident by how the protagonist of the play, Nora, is referred by titles implying smallness such as “little songbird,” “squirrel,” “lark,” “little featherhead,” “little skylark,” “little person,” and “little woman.” (Helland et al., 16) The repetitiveness of the word little implies diminutiveness; he terms her as a small, unimportant character. He considers his wife as his child.
Secondly, the voiceless in society are subjected to live under patriarchal oppression of the people with a voice. Nora Helmer has lived under her father and husband. She immediately moved from her husband into her husband’s home. Torvald, her husband, subjects male chauvinism. She is treated inappropriately because she is not allowed to set foot out of the house as much as she wishes to enjoy the same privileges as the men. (Helland et al., 19)
Besides, for the virtue of being a woman, Nora does not receive any credit as she pleases. Her actions and mentality are similar to those of her father people equate her characteristics to his. She replicates her father’s signature for a loan from a man of ill mannerisms Nils Krogstad, who was associated with past wrongdoing in the previous years to cover the bill to fly her husband to Italy for medical treatment. She possesses a decision making and agency mindset, which nobody recognizes her.
Also, women are viewed as vessels whose significant roles are to perform wifely duties and homely duties. These duties include conceiving, raising children, and performing responsibilities at home. The purpose of women and their sacred roles involve marriage and motherhood; the children are also not given a chance to speak or have a say in society. Torvald, Nora’s husband, has his interpretation of the responsibilities of women.
Lastly, inconsistent pressures on women in society are evident in the play. Torvald has a strong desire for sovereignty that puts him in a state of not knowing what’s happening in the real world and what defines us as humans. This strong aspiration brings new inception of a man’s vigor based on the value of extreme free-will. He loathes when people depend on him either for finance or moral support. (Helland et al. 22)
To sum up, the play A Doll’s House indicates various instances where there are people who have a voice and people who lack a view. Gender and age have a massive role in judging whether you can make decisions or not. Children as little as they are mentioned in the play, it is easy to point out that they are not allowed in dialogues as their only job is to play ‘hide and seek.’ The women, on the other hand, are seen as a helpless creature but with considerable influence at home.
Work cited
F Helland, J Bollen, and J Hollen. “Act by Act Study guide summary of A Doll’s House by Henry Ibsen. “Publications of the modern language association” (Vol. 2.short papers) Vol 2, 2016.