Gender Roles Of Society
...attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman." Darwin's professional assumption of the intelligence of women greatly exemplified the defining opinion of the day. The submissive role of the female in a marriage or relationship is a common problem in many societies, including our own American society.
This male dominance goes as far back as the human race, to the beginning of relationships and marriage between the female and the male. Then, the physical prowess of the male led to his dominance in all situations and thus formed these roles. Even presently, with all our advances in equal rights and women's' advances in the work fields, this role of submission and passivity is still present among our society. Why hasn't it banished with the right to vote and her expansion into the male-dominated workplace?
These roles are inbred into our society. The men are raised to lead and take charge. Women, on the other hand, are taught that their place is to keep peace, and in most scenarios that means conforming. There are many reasons women accept or allow this role. For many women, they find safety in allowing the male to dominate the relationship. The submissive role is familiar or so expected that the women fear changing the situation.
At the time that Ibsen wrote "A Doll's House", the later 1800's, society has created a niche for the woman as a housewife and social partner, lacking emphasis on love. This controversial play features a female protagonist seeking her individuality through realizations and challenging her comfort zone. Ibsen, through Nora and her personality, depicts the role of women not as the usual comforter, helper, and supporter of man, but introduced woman as having her own purposes and goals. The heroine, Nora, progresses during the course of the play eventually to realize that she must discontinue the role of a doll and...
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