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1996-04-08
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During the late nineteenth century, women were beginning to break
out from the
usual molds. Two authors from that time period wrote two separate
but very similar pieces of literature. Henrik Ibsen wrote the play
A DollÆs House, and Thomas Hardy wrote Tess of the DÆUrbervilles.
Ibsen and Hardy both use the male characters to contrast with their
female counterparts to illustrate how women are stronger by following
their hearts instead of their minds.
Ibsen uses Torvald, to depict a world where men choose to follow
their minds in place of their hearts. Ibsen has Torvald believe
that he is truly in love with his wife Nora. Torvald believes he
will ôrisk my lifeÆs blood, and everything, for your sake.ö(63)
The author sets the reader up to believe that Torvald is a chivalrous
guy who would give life and limb to defend his true love, as the
author believes that any real man would. Later in the play, a circumstance
arises where he is given the opportunity to defend his wife. He
does a 180 degree turn around and explains to his wife that ôno
man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves.ö(71) The author
shows the stupidity of Torvald with his misconception of honor.
In actuality when a man sacrifices himself for the one he loves
it brings him honor. Torvald is viewed as a true hypocrite. Torvald
also believes the most important thing is to ôsave the . . . appearance.ö(65)
He follows his mind, only interested in what is best for society.
Ibsen illustrates him as a truly weak human. In contrast to Ibsen,
Hardy takes an intellectually free thinker, Angel, who shows a very
close minded perspective on events instead of opening himself to
his true inner feelings. When AngelÆs bride reveals to him that
she has committed the sin of pre-marital sex as did Angel, he begins
to reveal to the reader his ignorance. In her sin, ôforgiveness
does not apply.ö(244) AngelÆs double standard shows the reader
that sexism even existed in the free thinkers of the time period
like Angel. He believed that his wifeÆs sin was not ôa question
of respectability, but one of principle.ö(257) Hardy mocks Angel
because he ironically believes himself free from the church, but
in actuality his mind is a prisoner to their principles. Angel
ôoverlooked what [Tess] was, and forgot the defective can be more
than the entire.ö(282) Angel forgets that he still loves Tess because
he has become a slave to his thoughts and ideas. Hardy suggests
that when man follows his mind, it leads him astray, but when following
his heart he will never miss the path to happiness and fulfillment.
Both Ibsen and Hardy portray a time period where men follow their
minds and society, their heart is solely for the pumping of blood,
and their word is only as good as far as you can throw it.