Introduction
The two plays that specifically approach the issue of marriage are A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and Fences by August Wilson. These two literary works bear the complexities inherent in marriages and explore the contexts of problems experienced by the respective couples. It can be claimed that Nora and Torvald from A Doll’s House and Rose and Troy from Fences must cope with societal expectations and the ever-changing roles of husband and wife. There are distinct dynamics that must be mentioned when looking at marriage in A Doll’s House and Fences because of the outcomes experienced by the main characters. In the following paragraphs, this essay will highlight the similarities and differences between the two plays to prove that Ibsen and Wilson successfully tackled gender expectations and societal roles in their respective literary works.
Peculiarities of Marriage in A Doll’s House
The first thing that quickly becomes evident when looking at Nora and Torvald in A Doll’s House is a power imbalance between the spouses. Even within the couple, societal expectations hindered the relationship between the two people. As a potentially obedient and submissive wife, Nora noted that she and Torvald “have [never] had a serious conversation” during all eight years of their marriage (Ibsen).
Torvald perceives himself as the breadwinner and the superior entity because he is a man. Nevertheless, Nora and Torvald’s marriage is based on lies and deception, ultimately contributing to their marriage’s end (Ibsen). When partners hide the truth, it hinders trust and the ability to remain honest in a marriage.
The second significant element of marriage in A Doll’s House is that Torvald’s love for Nora is not unconditional. As a man, he expects her to fulfill a specific role because she is not supposed to be anything but an object. Even Nora herself points out that their home “has been nothing but a playroom,” and she has been Torvald’s “doll-wife” the whole time (Ibsen).
Even after learning about Nora’s concerns, the husband remains reluctant to the challenge because his societal status and reputation are much more important than the wife’s well-being. Ibsen presents the whole relationship between Torvald and Nora as superficial to highlight the forced roles of both spouses. The wife and the husband are trapped inside their societal roles, but only Nora has to suppress her true desires.
Peculiarities of Marriage in Fences
One of the driving factors contributing to the marriage between Rose and Troy in Fences is the inherent equality between the partners. This scenario is almost entirely different from the power imbalance portrayed in A Doll’s House because Troy and Rose share their responsibilities and decision-making efforts to make their lives easier. Both spouses work hard to provide for their family and value each other’s contributions. Despite saying that Troy was “down there rolling around with some godforsaken woman,” Rose still wants to overcome adversity together and stays with her husband (Wilson). Rose’s forgiveness keeps the marriage alive and allows the two partners to resolve their difficulties without destroying the family.
Such partnership commitment demonstrates how Troy and Rose are willing to recognize and accept their imperfections to work through their complications and move forward. For example, Rose is highly resilient, but Troy is extremely supportive because he understands his wife’s contribution to the family. This is also why Rose stated that she “wanted to be there with [Troy],” knowing that it was “the only way [she] was gonna survive as [his] wife” (Wilson).
The wife even challenges traditional gender roles to contribute financially and maintain the family. The man is not always the breadwinner in Fences, but it does not cause additional conflicts and brings Rose and Troy even closer together instead. This dynamic is essential to better understand how traditional expectations are not always the best reflection of how to approach a complex subject such as marriage. Accordingly, the love and respect displayed by Rose and Troy allowed them to build a strong family that thrived on endurance and mutual support.
Comparing and Contrasting Marriage in A Doll’s House and Fences
In A Doll’s House, Nora has to respect numerous societal expectations to maintain the status of Torvald’s wife. As the breadwinner, he has the right to a submissive and obedient spouse. This power imbalance creates a scenario where Nora largely depends on Torvald and cannot be perceived as an autonomous adult. This is why Torvald reacts with disappointment when he learns about Nora borrowing money from another person to fulfill her needs. Hence, this is why Nora ultimately leaves Torvald and decides to pursue her happiness.
In contrast, Troy and Rose from Fences display mutual love regardless of the challenges that affect them. Despite the struggle, Rose remains a devoted mother and a wife, motivating Troy to pursue his aspirations. Compared to A Doll’s House, the power dynamics are based on equality and understanding. Even when Troy’s infidelity becomes known, Rose reacts with forgiveness because the family is more important to her. Hence, the decision reinforced the bond between Troy and Rose, making them even more committed to each other.
In the plays under review, the concept of marriage is essential because both couples were forced to review their attitudes toward societal expectations and gender roles. Nora does not want to be a perfect wife and cater to Torvald’s every whim. Rose is a hard-working breadwinner who supports Troy’s every effort despite his cheating on her. Therefore, deception generates tension, but in the case of Rose and Troy, it results in a stronger bond and increased relationship resilience. Independence and autonomy may lead to positive outcomes only when both partners acknowledge them and do not interfere with essential outlooks on life.
Conclusion
Based on the information presented within the framework of the current essay, it can be concluded that marriage in A Doll’s House and Fences is one of the central themes that dictate gender roles and societal expectations. For instance, Ibsen’s approach allowed him to critique the traditional role of an obedient wife and highlight the impact of patriarchy on female autonomy and self-worth. When Nora decides to leave her husband, it signifies the woman’s willingness to challenge societal expectations and live a different life.
Regarding Fences, marriage is crucial because Rose is a hard-working woman who contributes financially to the household. On the other hand, Wilson portrays Troy’s struggle to highlight the challenges that affected African American men during the 1950s. Rose and Troy’s marriage demonstrates the strength and resilience required if the couple expects to achieve mutual support and navigate all challenges successfully. The theme of marriage in A Doll’s House and Fences revolves around how gender roles and societal expectations should become significantly more flexible to enhance interpersonal relationships.
Works Cited
Ibsen, Henrik. “A Doll’s House.” The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen, 2001, Web.
Wilson, August. “Fences.” Archive.org, Web.