Essay on Women in A Dolls House and Tess of the DUrbervilles :: A Dolls House Essays

A Dolls House and Tess of the DUrbervilles During the late nineteenth century, women were beginning to introduce out from the usual molds. Two authors from that time period wrote two recognise but very similar pieces of literature. Henrik Ibsen wrote the play A Dolls House, and Thomas audacious wrote Tess of the DUrbervilles. Ibsen and uncompromising both use the male characters to contrast with their female counterparts to elaborate how women are stronger by following their hearts instead of their opinions. Ibsen uses Torvald, to depict a world where men choose to follow their minds in place of their hearts. Ibsen has Torvald guess that he is truly in love with his wife Nora. Torvald believes he exit risk my lifes blood, and everything, for your sake.(63) The author sets the reviewer up to believe that Torvald is a courteous guy who would give life and limb to defend his confessedly love, as the author believes that any real creation would. Later in the play, a circumsta nce arises where he is given the opportunity to defend his wife. He does a 180 degree turn around and explains to his wife that no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves.(71) The author shows the stupidity of Torvald with his misconception of honor. In actuality when a man sacrifices himself for the one he loves it brings him honor. Torvald is viewed as a authentic hypocrite. Torvald also believes the most important thing is to save the . . . appearance.(65) He follows his mind, still interested in what is best for society. Ibsen illustrates him as a truly infirm human. In contrast to Ibsen, Hardy takes an intellectually free thinker, Angel, who shows a very close minded perspective on events instead of opening himself to his true inner feelings. When Angels bride get outs to him that she has committed the sin of pre-marital sex as did Angel, he begins to reveal to the reader his ignorance. In her sin, forgiveness does not apply.(244) Angels double standard shows t he reader that sexism even existed in the free thinkers of the time period like Angel. He believed that his wifes sin was not a question of respectability, but one of principle.(257) Hardy mocks Angel because he ironically believes himself free from the church, but in actuality his mind is a prisoner to their principles.