A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen and Trifles by Susan Glaspell Essay

A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen and Trifles by Susan Glaspell - Essay Example They are models that remain significant and relevant in the 21st century. 'A Doll's House' (Ibsen, 1879): Nora seemed a silly, flighty young wife, happy to answer to Torvald: "Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again" (Act 1, p.1). Like a little bird, or small furry creature, needing protection, Nora was in agreement with him, repeating how happy she was, hiding her sweets because he did not permit her to have them. Her concern with money and wealth appeared materialistic, an impression overturned during exchanges with Mrs. Linde and Krogstad. The scrimping, saving and secret work, showed initiative and desire not just to conceal, but to repay the debt. The husband had the real power, and Nora's only power lay in her sexual attraction and apparent helplessness. The stark reality of the situation and the view of women, was clear in his attitude after Krogstad had tried to blackmail Nora: "Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother." (Act 1, p.19-20). The affect on Nora "[pale with terror] "Deprave my little ch ildren Poison my home [A short pause, then she tosses her head] It's not true. It can't possibly be true." (Act 1, p. 20), showed how little self-belief she had and how much her husband controlled her, physically, financially and emotionally. Mrs. Linde also denied herself and married a man for money in order to support her mother and siblings, a dutiful but empty existence. Left a penniless widow, she was however, more independent, seeking to work and finally to be part of an equal partnership with Krogstad. She was the catalyst that opened Nora’s eyes to the reality of her sham marriage and to Torvald’s true character. ... She was the catalyst that opened Nora's eyes to the reality of her sham marriage and to Torvald's true character. His behavior reflected the norms of that society, but there are still men today who would react in the same way, if they found their wife to have gone against them in matters of money and reputation. He reactions woke Nora to reality and caused her to take the drastic step of leaving them all. "I have other duties just as sacred Duties to myselfI believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being - just as you are" (Act 3, p. 18) Her decision to leave, even when aware of what she would suffer in that society, was a brave and honest one; Nora had to find her true self and to stop living a lie, and this is what makes the play relevant today. Eight years waiting for a miracle were long enough, so Nora asserted her right to be a person. 'Trifles' (Glaspell, 1916): Minnie Wright, in a stark, loveless relationship, spent a long time doing her duty, as Nora had. The bird motif emphasized her fragility and what she had lost through her marriage. "She was kind of like a little bird herself - real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid - and fluttery. How-she-did-change." (Mrs. Hale, p. 11) Minnie was the little dead bird, the evidence and motive for murdering a harsh, cruel man, as Mrs. Hale explained to the sheriff's wife: "No, Wright wouldn't like a bird - a thing that sang. She used to sing. He killed that too." (p. 13). Like Nora, she had no financial independence, but did her best to be a good wife, as the "trifling" items like preserves, bread making and quilting symbolized. Her life was more lonely and fearful