During 1870’s, the role of women in marriage was a very controversial theme because there was a belief that women were supposed to follow certain duties with her husband and family; furthermore, women did not have many possibilities to depend on themselves, and they utterly depended on men. Henrik Ibsen wrote the play called “A Doll House”, which is a critic toward the models and standards of marriage during this time, and its protagonist, Nora Helmer, represents the situation of many women at this time.
Women had to stick with whatever their husband gave them, and they had to accept the treatment that their husband gave them. At the beginning of the play, Nora is presented as woman who seems to enjoy being her husband’s doll. Nora’s attitude and behavior towards Torvald, her husband, is an attitude of total obedience and submission. She has to follow all the rules that her husband gives her, such as, what she is allowed to eat, the money she can spend, or the way she has to dance, “You know, there isn’t anyone who has your good taste…Torvald, couldn’t you take over and decide what I should be and play my costume?...I can’t get anywhere without your …show more content…
Nora is a clear example of this type of women because she did not have any power in her relationship. However, it is necessary to stand out her courage and determination, for she has made the decision of saving her husband 's life in despite of what society has taught her that she cannot borrow money without her husband consent. She did a sacrifice for her husband and that make her feel gratified and joyful, as she said during a conversation with her friend, “I’ve also got something to be proud and happy for. I’m the one who saved Torvald’s life.”(Ibsen 173) Furthermore, the act of saving her husband’s life, gives Nora some sort of power because now her husband is in debt with