Global Issue:

Today, I would like to discuss the inquiry fields of Culture, Identity, and Community. More
specifically, I would like to address how stereotyping women as housewives is being exposed
as restrictive and detrimental to females, and how women are reshaping these traditional
beliefs to discover an identity for themselves separate from their gender.

Texts Chosen:
Literary Work: A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen in translation (1879)
Non-Literary Work: Gender Cartoons by Liza Donnelly (for Forbes Woman; ~2010s)

Notes for the Oral:

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen in translation (1879)

● Analogy of Nora as a doll throughout the whole play
● Life is “perfect” for Nora until Torvald’s rage at her forgery (found from Krogstad’s
letter; Act 3)
● Act 3, Scene 2: “Must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and every-thing
about me” after Torvald says life can go back to normal (lines 6-7)
● “Neglect your sacred duties”, “Before all else, you are a wife and a mother” according
to Torvald, in response to Nora (lines 23-24, 31)
● “No longer content myself with what most people say”: Nora’s reference to line 21 and
response to Torvald

Gender Cartoon by Liza Donnelly (for Forbes Woman; ~2010s)

● Donnelly uses cartoons to expose women stereotypes, such as women and dogs who
“heel”, in a more palatable way
● Helps women see the “glass ceiling” and break down stereotypes to find themselves
● “I am supposed to be here.”: thought bubble’s size and placement
● The woman at the head of the table is the only one not wearing a suit: stylistic choice,
placement, and symbolism
● Only one woman is present in the cartoon (symbolism, choice)