Analysis

{An adaptation of a thematic analysis of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, written in 2009, during my senior year of high school.}

Throughout time, men have been the dominating gender in society. The men in these societies generally look the women as weaker than and lower than themselves. These roles in society were evident in Europe and Nigeria in the late 1800s, as in the works A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. In both of these literary works, the men have a dominating role. These men make the women feel weak and constantly under their control. This behavior is de-humanizing and wrong.

All of the women in these works are fighting inner battles. While the men are overpowering and controlling the women, the women are questioning their worth and purpose. These women suffer much pain and abuse that is either directly or indirectly applied by men. A critic by the name of Linda Strong-Leek said the following about other criticism that has been written about Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, "many critics explicate upon the horrors and injustices Okonkwo inflicts upon the men in his life ... most omit any discussion of the abuse suffered by Okonkwo's wives." These women "endured much heartache and stigmatism" (Strong-Leek). One example of this would be when Okonkwo tries to shoot his wife because he is displeased with her work. After the incident, the woman appears to not be surprised. However, most people know that humans can hide their feelings and emotions inside.

There is more than just the physical abuse of the women Achebe's novel, however. Mrs. Strong-Leek also wrote, "Achebe presents customs such as the abandonment of multiple birth babies, and the sacrifice of human babies as conventions and not barbaric, inhumane rituals." The Nigerian people have a different culture than Americans, but that does not excuse the de-humanization associated with their traditions and customs.

Things Fall Apart also showcases psychological abuse. The men in this novel are consistently making demeaning and degrading comments towards women. An example of this would be how Okonkwo shows more pride in a single accomplishment of his son's than he has ever shown to his wives and daughters combined. There is little to no mention of Okonkwo encouraging his wives and daughters. However, many times Okonkwo talks with his son, Nwoye, and gives him either encouragement or rebuke. Okonkwo does not exhibit such behavior with the females in his life.

Although there is no physical abuse in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, there is psychological abuse. In Act I, Torvald says the following, "Aha! So little Miss Independent's in trouble and needs a man to rescue her, does she?" His wife, Nora, responds with, "Yes, Torvald. I can't get anywhere without your help."

Torvald treats Nora and their children as dolls that he has power and control over. So, they are seen and themselves as dolls. Nora suffers from much psychological abuse.

Generally, the women in the above literary works do not push any of these acts or gender stereotypes forward, at least, not voluntarily.  These women are under the rule of men and feel that they must change themselves to satisfy a tyrannical male in their life. These women have been psychologically abused and believe that they are hopeless without men. 

These women are treated unfairly and most events are borderline inhumane. At an earlier time in life, these women may have known that they could survive just fine without men. Their minds were manipulated, or so it appears, through time, to believe that men had to be in control. 

The women were trained to believe that their worth, individuality, and accountability was very little or non-existent. Because of this, they did not try to fight against the males that control them. Nora is the only woman who breaks this barrier. She seems to have a mind that works and is able to understand everything that is happening around her. Nora proves to the reader that men are not in control. Humans are equal and need to be treated as such.

Men have had a dominating role in society for a very long time. These men almost always view women as the weaker and lower gender. Because of this, many women have experienced discrimination. All humans are equal, regardless of gender. There is no reason that one person should be seen as higher than another simply because they have more money, more clothes, or their gender.

Every person has potential, regardless of race, gender, culture, differences, talents, or disabilities.