Analysis of Protagonists from A dollhouse and Tartuffe

The roles played by the genders in a society significantly determine society’s nature as either patriarchal or matriarchal. The literature has addressed both societies by showing both patriarch and matriarch protagonists. Tartuffe and A dollhouse are two credible pieces of literature. Although both are written in distinctive periods, they have conveyed the same dominating role of men in societies. However, they have also shown the dash of the woman’s tenacity and audacity. This essay is focused on the comparative analysis of the protagonists, Nora from A dollhouse and Orgon from Tartuffe, how resolute both the genders were in attaining their dreams and how they responded to the obstacles in their way.

The play A dollhouse introduced Nora as a housewife who thoroughly enjoyed being patronized, dotted, and pampered. The carefree and naïve character of Nora was asserted by his husband’s attitude towards her, who lovingly called her by doting pet names. He loved her like a precious object of possession, a child, or a pacifier but not as an equal partner. Nora’s intellect, audacity, and managing abilities were neglected by herself until the end of the play. She was emotionally dependent on her husband and didn’t appreciate her efforts toward her family. Her audacity and fierce determination made him work like a man and helped in weaving her debts. Nora’s character was more than an average expectation from 19^th-century women; she was headstrong enough to break the laws and forge her father’s signature to ensure his husband’s health. Being a 19^th-century housewife, Nora’s objective was to achieve a perfect family idealism to become an ideal wife and mother. Her personal beliefs and identity went veiled under the patriarchal expectations and norms of society. When she started to question her personality, she rationally concluded that living with Torvald was the same as living with his father, as both kept on dominating her nature. After meeting with Dr. Rank, Nora felt more like an invisible chaperon with Torvald. Finally, with the play’s progression, when she realized that Torvald didn’t love her like a personality and will not sacrifice himself for saving her, she gives Nora the courage to break the shackles of societal norms. She le She was an independent woman who shredded her doll-like existence.

Along with male dominance, the play Tartfuffe conveyed hypocrisy and opportunism as the play’s central theme. The protagonist’s character was Orgon, a wealthy man who fell for the treachery of hypocrite Tartuffe. Tartuffe approached Orgon for averting his poverty, piety and religion always used to entice Orgon as referring to act 15, Orgon conversed with Cleante:

“He knew what I needed, so he blessed me.
I found his acolyte; he’d so impressed me,”

Orgon was so manipulated by Tartuffe’s unavoidable piety that he came to the extent of conspiring against his own family. Money was shown as a power construct in the play, as just for money, Tartuffe exploited Orgon’s trust. While in the blind following of the passion, Orgon completely overlooked the opinion of her maid, wife, and daughters, who always kept him telling about the Tartuffe. This showed the aspect of male dominance, as no one in the house was able to kick Tartuffe out until his reality was unveiled to Orgon.

Thus, the two protagonists wanted to achieve perfection and idealism. Nora always believed in selflessly providing for her husband and children; she was happily putting her identity beside until she came to know her worth in her husband’s sight. Still, from that moment onwards, she shed apart her dolled character. While Orgon being extravagant and uncontrolled, fell prey to hypocrisy in his blind fanaticism for religion. He wanted to become an epitome of piety; instead, he ended up persecuting religious men.

Work Cited

Ibsen, Henrik, and Nicholas Rudall. A Doll’s House. Chicago: I. R. Dee, 1999.

Molière, and Richard Wilbur. Tartuffe: A Comedy in Five Acts. Bilingual ed. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1997