Introduction
In the 19th century, women had the obligation of doing what they could to ensure that their children and husbands lived comfortably. Women's role was restricted to child-rearing and housekeeping, and any signs of female rebellion or independence were discouraged. Today, women's roles have significantly changed through history, partly compelled by women who took risks to set examples for their colleagues to follow. In the Victorian period, women began to take stances for their privileges. A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen showcases women's stand-in home settings and how the character – Nora Helmer – makes sacrifices without her struggles being valued. Nora takes risks putting her marriage at stake; this demonstrated her liberation since she does all this to ensure her family's best. The opinions in societies and family situations continue to change as the years proceed. Women are no longer perceived as 'housewives' since there is female empowerment. Although several sectors and different communities still perceive women as a weaker gender, there is a push towards contemporary feminism since women need to control men and themselves. Today, women continue to gain a novel equality with men; this perception is irrefutable.
Just like women respect men, men also need to respect the female gender and see them as equals. With the incredible increase of sexual abuse cases towards women, it is clear that more policies ought to be implemented in the fight for gender equalities. Nonetheless, that is not the case in societies as women sacrifice their dreams and lives to behave according to societal norms.
Today's educational sector has seen more women enrolling and graduating from engineering and medical schools – professions previously perceived to be held only by men. The female gender expects to get into marriage institutions to feel a sense of worth and equality of privileges as their companions.
Although, according to Ibsen's play, women continue being treated as second-class citizens. Nora portrays how women have to go through social relationships, often pushed into demeaning, abusive, and unfair situations. Women need to air their opinions without being judged; they need to enter the world of politics and medicine. If they find it shameful talking about their sexual interests, then men should also be ashamed.
A dependent woman is often submissive and not willing to express their views. One will not attempt to understand the immaterial reality of life unless it pertains to her home's wellbeing. Instead, they will allow themselves to be suppressed by their marriage title. The woman loses the prospect of getting her freedom and instead becomes a 'doll.' In the play, Nora holds these qualities. She goes to the extent of risking forging her father's signature to acquire a loan, something rarely done by women during their era.
Nora portrays her ability to think by taking adverse risks, which later on corrode her husband's trust in her, instigating problems in her marriage independently. When Torvalds comes to know of the debt, he does not forgive her as he tries to safeguard his reputation. "He said I was thoughtless and that it was his duty as my husband not to indulge me in my whims and caprices…" (Ibsen, 2008, p.13).
This incident made Nora realize how wrong she has always been in understanding her marriage, husband, and self, and she agrees that her marriage life does not bring happiness. "No, I have never been happy. I thought I was, but it has never really been so" (Ibsen, 2008, p.72). To find her self-worth and explore the world, Nora decides to leave her husband.
Women have the right to cultivate their independence, although, in actuality, their role is more self-sacrificial. They are not considered as equals to men, either in marriage or in society generally. Nora was even willing to take the risk of committing suicide to save her husband from shame over her fraudulent act. The socialization laws are distinctively gender-biased since females certainly have a varying connection to the phallic masculinity than their male counterparts (Levanon & Grusky, 2016).
Today, society still holds ground rules on roles attributed to both genders as men hold the majority of the executive and leadership positions. At the same time, women take the subordinate spots, most being mistreated in men's favor.
Besides, because of the variance in how men and women receive education in some parts of the world, it gets hard for women to help their husbands on rational decision-making matters. Undoubtedly, once a woman controls their marriage and rights, there will be more rational behavior (Levanon & Grusky, 2016). Companionate unions founded on respect and mutual understanding, rather than that which takes wives for slaves, could be advantageous to both parties.
Thus, citizens ought to advocate for impartiality and not run away from it. As seen through Nora, women's empowerment could help balance the gender so that women are not merely perceived as their husbands' slaves but as viable and equal companions.
Despite Nora finding the freshness of working interesting, she could not risk sharing the excitement with her husband since being employed and earning income was not her realm. The majority of females in modern society engage in life-changing choices. Modern women hold powerful and prestigious professions, unlike in the past. They are seen to be full-time workers than homemakers.
In the 21st century, there has been a realization of the need to appreciate equal privileges for all genders (Levanon & Grusky, 2016). Women can now read and participate in significant activities in their societies; some are holding CEO and top managerial positions in big companies while others are political leaders.
Unfortunately, by looking at statistics on how white women receive less wages than their male colleagues; and blacks earning even lesser, it is clear that women are still being oppressed in a male-dominated society, being victims of sexual abuse and rape (Levanon & Grusky, 2016). The gender gap in the employment sector offers the fundamentals of struggling. Industrious and strenuous tasks are linked to high income, with men dictating the workforce as women are supposed to engage in less engaging professions, thus equating to less wages.
Accordingly, men happen to receive more pay, as they are seen to be in charge of taking care of their family's wellbeing (Levanon & Grusky, 2016). Generally, society perceives women to be inferior and thus are given inferior roles to run.
Although contemporary women exercise their voting rights, hold public offices, serve in the army, and run prominent organizations, the progression takes lots of effort, is still slow. The ultimate goal of impartiality is yet to be attained.
The need to share views that support the virtuous social autonomous tenacity is noteworthy, as the idea of emphasizing the need for equal rights and opportunities is going global, and that attests to the significance of Ibsen's work through the protagonist Nora. The drama creates a theme of women's oppression characterized by submissiveness, loyalty, and male dominance on power.
Nora was made to confront her worth. Instead of remaining in a marriage filled with intolerable lies, she chose to escape, seeking her independence that had been denied by her life with Torvald. "I must try to educate myself, and I must do that by myself" (Ibsen, 2008, p.70). Her risk of leaving her marriage was a sacrifice since she had to abandon her kids even though she adored them, but it was for her good.
The tragedy's final depiction of Nora is of a resentful but sophisticated, smart, and freshly empowered woman confidently dodging the infantilizing controls of her past life. That is what is expected of every woman today; to be bold, know their rights, and refuse to be oppressed by society's norms on gender roles and inequality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whereas women's liberation from centuries back has extended in the fight for uniformity, there is still much to be addressed irrespective of everything. There are indeed discussions on gender matters globally, ranging from reproductive rights to equal wages. Men continue carrying the role of leading families. Even as homes under women's leadership have similar responsibilities, the home is said to be incomplete without a male figure due to title and security concerns.
Women departing from their homesteads, enrolling in formal education, and seeking employment, was just the beginning of an extended fight for equal rights that lingers to date. When every individual eventually perceives females and males as equals, and once neither women nor men exploit their power over the other gender, and then actual equality will prevail in the universe.
