Abstract: Written in 1879, A Doll’s House is Ibsen’s masterpiece. Through describing the leading character Nora, this work expresses Ibsen’s sympathy to those women who live in a patriarchal society, and advocates his feminist views concerning women’s liberation. Firstly, this thesis gives a brief overview about Ibsen and A Doll’s House. Secondly, it introduces feminism, the development of feminist literature and Ibsen’s feminist points of view. From the perspective of feminism, the main part of the thesis focuses on the process of Nora’s psychological transformation from economic and psychological dependence to feminist awareness so to help readers better understand Nora’s traits of character. It is concluded that setting up female consciousness and the independence of the inner spirit is the key to obtain and maintain women’s rights. 

Key words: A Doll’s House; Ibsen; Nora; Feminism 

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 An Introduction to the Author

  1.2 An Overview of A Doll’s House

2. Feminism and Henrik Ibsen.3  

  2.1 The Definition and Development of Feminism

  2.2 Ibsen’s Feminist Points of View 

3. Analysis of Nora from Feminist Perspective .5

  3.1 Nora’s Status as a Doll in Family 

    3.1.1 Economic Dependence 

    3.1.2 Psychological Dependence  

  3.2 Nora’s Self Awareness as a Feminist

    3.2.1 The Initiation of Her Self-awareness 

    3.2.2 The Development of Her Self-awareness 

4. Conclusion.10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12