Abstract

This research paper attempts to give a feminist analysis of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House based on the Anglo-American approach to feminist literary theory. It will first explain the feminist literary theory as a term as well as a practice and its function in literary criticism, followed by an explanation of the Anglo-American approach and some of its prominent writers. The paper will also explore how and to what degree Henrik Ibsen, who is mostly famous for his realist dramas but has also been credited for his feminist characters and content, is involved with the women’s cause by referring to some of his speeches, letters and acquaintances. It will then attempt a feminist analysis of the play based on the Anglo-American approach and Showalter’s feminist critique, using quotes from and references to the three acts of the play as a justification to show how Henrik Ibsen challenged the stereotypical representation of women in literature with his female characters.