exmaple from last year wit comments- do not copy or paraphrase.

Compare the different presentations of the role of a wife in Tess of the ‘D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen In both Tess of the ‘D’Urbervilles and A Doll’s House the author uses the main female character to represent the role a wife was expected to play in Victorian society. Women were expected to live up to the expectations of their husbands and the pressure that was forced upon them by society life them with little opportunity to reform. The writer’s tries to illustrate the limitations presented to women and highlights the problems within the upper and middle class society through displaying the views of two very different female characters. Ibsen’s chosen title immediately brings to the reader’s attention that women were expected to be mere ‘dolls’ to their husbands. The use of the world ‘dolls’ has suggests some sort of toy or belonging, a wife in this case. This exposes the idea that women belonged to their husbands and did as they were told. Ibsen also highlights Torvalds horror later on in the play when Nora decides to rebel and leave her children, the duty she was expected to complete. Moreover in Tess Hardy highlights the double standards within a marriage and the religious view that no man wants a ‘broken’ woman. A wife was expected to save herself for her husband unlike Tess. However, although Angel committed the same crime, due to Tess being a woman Angel no longer wanted her. Both authors present the role of the wife in different ways. Ibsen uses isolation and control. Hardy presents Tess as helpless and vulnerable however does suggest that her past has made her stronger than most women. At the start of A Doll’s House Tovald is reluctant to hand over cash to his wife. This could suggest that he would rather give her things than her have the opportunity to spend it on something that would then belong to her. The wife was expected to stay at home, care for the children and manage the house. It was the man’s job to go out and earn money. This meant that women were dependent on their husbands and had no opportunity to leave them. Hardy also presents this in Tess when she has no choice but to accept Alec’s help. ‘I have enough and more than enough to put you out of anxiety, both for yourself and your parents and sister. I can make them all comfortable if you will only show confidence in me.’ Tess refuses to accept the offer by saying ‘I will accept nothing from you’ suggesting that she is more of an independent female character due to her past. Moreover later on in the novel she has no other choice but to accept help for her family and herself. This then leaves her trapped in Alec’s plan and only his death will set her free. Both writers represent the wife being scared of her husband. During the first act of A Doll’s House Ibsen frequently uses symbolism within his writing. The macaroons eaten by Nora, ‘forbidden’ by Torvald could be a symbolism of Nora’s rebellious side. She may do some things that she pleases but will never admit it to Torvald. When questioned about it she abruptly replies ‘no, Torvald, I promised… no…no… Toravld I swear-…. You told me not to. You don’t really think I’d?’ Nora uses the rhetorical question to manipulate Torvald into feeling bad for questioning or doubting her. Although this does illustrate that within the household women had some power over their husband, Nora is still not willing to admit to Tovald that she has gone against his word suggesting that she is scared of the consequences. This situation does suggest that Nora seeks control and will take it when able to; however, it doesn’t occur often. Also the fact that her rebellion is so small suggests that as a wife she has no control. She is expected to do as her husband tells her making her the weaker partner. Hardy also highlights the fear Tess has of telling Angel about her past. The repetitive pondering over how she should inform him highlights that she worries about his reaction. ‘I repeat the woman I have been loving is not you.’ displays that Tess rightfully anticipated his reaction. A broken wife was not worth having in the Victorian era suggesting that Tess predicted what was going to happen. The fact that she wasn’t able to hide her past also suggests that as the female she was the weaker link and couldn’t lie to her husband. Although Angel also committed the same sin, his reaction to her doings was for more extravagant suggesting double standards within the relationship. This is in direct contrast within a Dolls house as Nora and Krogstad commit the same crime however Torvald has more of a problem with Krogstad’s doings. Later in A Doll’s House Nora says ‘Take back your ring. Give me mine’ suggesting a complete role reversal within the relationship also pointed out in Non Worall’s commentary of the play when he highlights the ‘reversal in their previous roles’ within the relationship. She is now able to stand up for herself and do what she feels is better for her. Tovald however is mortified that Nora is willing to ‘leave your home, your husband, your children!’ the explanation mark used at the end magnifies the importance of her actions and how unexpected it would have been to leave the role as a wife behind. This is displayed when Torvald replies ‘can you neglect your most sacred duties?.. your duties towards your husband and your children.’ Well done Libby, a highly thoughtful essay. It is clear you understand the relevant ideas and themes in the texts and the links between them. Targets: You need to frame you paragraphs with more contextual information. Try to outline the Victorian expectation of a wife and compare Nora and Tess to these. You need to add a bibliography which states the title and author of the books you have sued to research. You need to break down your quotes first and analyse the language in further detail as we did with the ‘parting of the lips’ in the strawberry essay. You also need more on Tess. I would advise that you add more critical perspectives and mention how a modern reader and Victorian reader would perceive the two women differently.

Loads of Wider Reading resources here- print and read!

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/industry-power-and-social-change/ http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/i/industry-religion-and-the-british-empire/ http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gender-ideology-and-separate-spheres-19th-century/ http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/victorian/topic_4/welcome.htm This from the British Library website is useful: http://www.bl.uk/learning/langlit/dickens/industrialisation/factories.html http://www.bl.uk/learning/langlit/texts/empire/empire.html And this on poverty: http://www.bl.uk/learning/langlit/dickens/poverty/wealth.html This on Childhood: http://www.bl.uk/learning/langlit/dickens/childhood/child.html