Drama essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Drama - Es utter ExampleMany women were still constrained in their activities by the wishes of their male relatives, whether the dominant voice belonged to the father, the oldest brother or other guardian figure or the husband. These are the issues explored in Henrik Ibsens play A hisss House through the character of Nora and in Susan Glaspells short story Trifles. Comparing these two characters provides insight into the various constraints women had to deal with in their material setting, their relationships and in their position in society.In both stories, the primary action takes place within the homes of the two female characters involved and each has much to say about the women who are trapped there. Noras house is presented in direct reflection of the plays title. It is a dolls house, perfectly adorned and arranged for the display of a happy family atmosphere without going to extremes of expense. This can be discerned from Noras careful selection of gifts for the upcoming hol iday. She tells Torvold, they the gifts are very plain, just anyway she Emmy, their little girl will soon break them in pieces (Act 1). Gifts for the rest of the household include a new suit for Ivar and dress lengths for the maids, all super practical and economical. Minnies house, in contrast, is introduced as two women and three men, none of them residents, enter into a sorry farm kitchen. The house is set away from the path and far from the closest neighbor. This does not necessarily mean the house was a trap for the woman who lived in it, but Mrs. Hale tells Mrs. Peters that she stayed away because the house was gloomy and lonesome. As she mentions this, she reflects that it must have been that much harder for the woman who had to live there. This is made clear in the half-cleaned table, the bread sitting next to rather than inside