Reflections of social issues of modern people in the play “A Doll's House”Deneme
It seems that just surviving and sleeping with a full stomach are not the main problems of developed civilizations since the first formations of societies. ‘Surviving in a good condition’ is the key for modern women and men and death is mostly ignored or perceived as an end from a scientific point of view. Social status, economic level of individuals or some characteristics of modern era can provide people advantages or cause to have disadvantages in society. We can see some of these modern issues' reflections in 20th century art, literature and especially in drama. A Doll's House is one of the examples in which modern times' social issues are reflected. Henrik Ibsen, the playwright aimed to explain these problems to the audience through characters. Married couples, alone women and men are all struggling with money issues, loneliness and especially sexism in the play. Of course, these social issues are nothing compared to war, famine and natural disasters. However, these issues may appear as factors that deeply affect the mental health and psychological state of individuals that keep society alive.
Since the Lydians, money has always been the determinant of social roles. In modern age, we experienced industrialization, technological developments and capitalism. Consequently, money started to control everything including women and men’s relationships. At the very beginning of the play, we see that how money determines men's dominant role. Torvald is the one who has financial power in the family. We can see the clear social difference between Nora and her husband by Torvald’s discourses; “What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? - (Taking out his purse.) Nora, what do you think I have got here?”(p.3) He can make Nora happy just by giving money. Also Torvald