Essay Comparing Louise of Story of an Hour and Nora of A...

Comparing Louise of The Story of an Hour and Nora of A Dolls House In Kate Chopins The Story of an Hour, the main character is a woman who has been controlled and conformed to the norms of society. Louise Mallard has apparently given her entire life to assuring her husbands happiness while forfeiting her own. This truth is also apparent in Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. In this story, Nora Helmer has also given her life to a man who has very little concern for her feelings or beliefs. Both of these characters live very lonely lives, and both have a desire to find out who they really are and also what they are capable of becoming. Although the characters of Nora and Louise are very much alike in many ways, their personalities†¦show more content†¦She seems to feel resentment toward the fact that he has not loved and cherished her throughout the course of their marriage. Louises thoughts continue to build as she thinks to herself There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature (23). This statement shows how he has held her back from expressing herself as a person and has forced his strong will upon her with which to obey. Nora has also been forced to conform to her role in society. She has conformed to playing the role of a caring housewife and mother. Her husband Torvald keeps a tight reign on her and makes sure that she behaves only as he pleases. In one instance, he detects that Nora has not been truthful with him. He remarks, My little song-bird must never do that again. A song-bird must have a clean beak to chirp with?no false notes (761)! This remark allows the audience to understand how much control he has over Nora. Throughout this story, Mr. Helmer maintains an arrogant attitude and expects Nora to always agree with him. In one instance, Nora remarks to him, But dont you think it is nice of me too, to do as you wish? Torvald responds, Nicebecause you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way (761). Noras feelings are constantly repressed and regarded as unimportant to Torvald. He admits that he