Consider why Ibsen called A Doll's House a "humanist" rather than a "feminist" play

Vikramaditya Arora

A doll’s house is a novel published by Henrik Ibsen, which covers various themes and ideas. It takes place in the 19^th century, where the story revolves around the sexual inequality and gender bias, which take place between a wife and her husband. Nevertheless, the category for which the play falls under has often been argued, while some claim the play is humanist, some claim it’s feminist. While both the ideas are recurring themes present throughout the play, with equal emphasis provided upon them. To understand in what category the play falls under, we would need to know the meaning and the role of the 2 terms.

Humanism refers to ideas, actions and values being equally respected, regardless of gender and differentiation in thoughts. Feminism refers to the advocation of women’s rights or views on economical, social and political matters. Ibsen compares both the ideas in the novel, where feminism is demonstrated through the unfair interaction, which takes place between Nora and Torvald, whilst humanism is propagated through the ways in Nora and other women in the play, imagine a world would be fair without the discrimination. Thus trying to create an illusion of reality, where the controversial aspects of their life seem relatable, and we can sympathise with the characters. The use of this technique is called Naturalism.

While the 19^th century was a troubling time for all people, due to pressure faced by society, regarding the roles a male of female had at that time. The play is an example of a humanist play, as its focus is dedicated not towards the problems faced only by females, but also males. Where it tends to put attention on the specific problems faced by females at that time. While the inequality propagated through issues of not being able to vote, or having political views of their own, not being able to complete their education, not being able to have a professional working life of their own etc. Certain stereotypes are explored around men, where they face the pressure of being the breadwinner of the household, Ibsen specifically focuses on the dilemma faced by Females. Nevertheless he includes the way, society, as a whole needs to think in a given manner, Where men have to be the only source of income for the house and in the professional frontier, while women have to take care of the household and children. 

To conclude, the main theme put forward by Ibsen is humanism, rather than feminism. As the play puts emphasis on the drawbacks faced by both the genders in the 19^th century, rather than females as whole, where the author has provided evidence by putting forward points of lack of freedom to think or make independent choices for both the genders, rather than only females.