Nature Of Power Essay, Research Paper
Discuss the nature of power explored in the texts, Eva Luna, and A Doll?s House.In the two texts Eva Luna, and A Doll?s House, by Isabel Allende and Henrik Ibsen respectively, there are various people who have power over others. However this power comes in a number of forms, different characters use it for different purposes, and the ways the characters achieve it also differs. These different natures of power allow some people to succeed where others fail, and it is those who succeed that, in the end, have the true power.
In the novel Eva Luna, there are various people who are in positions of power. The one who is the most obvious to the reader is the General; a dictator. He has the power to control and manipulate others to do as he wants, in order to benefit himself. His power comes about through the use of force, violence, propaganda, and persuasive tactics. He can control people, but it is only because they fear him. There is no feeling by the people he has power over, that he deserves it, they have no respect for him, and so without his armies, his power is meaningless.
Rolf Carle?s father in Eva Luna parallels this nature of power. Lucas Carle has total control over his wife and children, to the point where he treats his wife more like a prostitute, and his children hide from him when he comes home because they fear a beating from him. It is this fear of being punished if one does not obey that gives Lucas Carle his power, and as in the case of the General, if the only reason to give in to someone?s power is fear of the consequences if one doesn?t, then this power gains no respect from those it affects.
The kind of power that the General possesses is totally different to that of Eva herself. Both of them are able to change people, however, where the General changes people through the force he puts onto them, Eva changes people from the inside. She is able to change people by bringing out what is already inside of them, and of herself. She does this by focusing on the positive parts of any situation, and in this way inspiring hope. Her power is based on having the courage to rise up against her oppressors, and the ability to lead others by evoking feeling and passion within them, instead of a power based on the fear of the consequences of not conforming. She doesn?t need an army behind her to enforce her ideas; people are drawn to her. One reason for this is because of her stories. Her stories allow her listeners to escape from their real worlds and for them it is a way that they can get happiness out of a life that isn?t treating them well. For Elvira, it is almost that she can?t cope without one of Eva?s stories to get her through the day. And when they were separated, and she would visit Eva, she would ask Eva for ?a long story to last till the next visit.? (Allende, 96) The imagination is a powerful thing, and Eva is able to communicate directly with people?s imaginations.
It is this ability to cope in, and move beyond oppressive situations that made her life such a success, and her ambitions more achievable. Eva was able to put up with a lot in her time as a servant. She had the self-power to tolerate much harshness from her employers, but when she was unhappy, she did not contain this unhappiness inside her, and let it destroy her emotionally, as perhaps weaker characters might, she let her mind be known, and this is nowhere more obvious, then when she left her job working for the minister:
?With absolute aplomb, as if it were something I did every day, I lifted the receptacle high and emptied it over the head of the Minister of State ? with a single motion of the wrist liberating myself from humiliation. For an eternal second the Minister sat motionless, eyes bulging.? (Allende, 101)
In the play A Doll?s House, both Nora and Torvald have power over each other. However, they are very different types of power. The power of Torvald over Nora is more obvious because it is economic, physical, social status, and sexual power, however Nora?s power over Torvald is less obvious. In the beginning of the play Nora is basically living her life to please Torvald, which for the time pleases herself as well, and she is contented with a life where she is totally provided for by her husband, and this gives her fairly materialistic view on life:
?Well, I mean, it?s lovely to have heaps of money and not to have to worry about anything. Don?t you think?? (Ibsen, 30)
We get the impression that Nora belongs in this kind of society where women are totally dependent on their husbands, however through the play, that impression gradually deteriorates until the climactic ending when Nora totally frees herself of Torvald, and it is at this point that we see who really has the power in their relationship.
Nora shows that she has the power to overcome the impositions of the society she lives in, in which it is not acceptable for women to be independent people, and reaches the self-realisation that she has to go out into the world, in order to educate herself, she realises that she can not just accept everything that Torvald tells her as truth. She goes on a journey from living her false life with Torvald, to coming to the realization that her marriage and supposed happiness, are all artificial. She has the power within herself, and the courage, to make that journey:
?I know most people think as you, Torvald, and I know there?s something of the sort to be found in books. But I?m no longer prepared to accept what people say and what?s written in books. I must think things out for myself, and try to find my own answer.? (Ibsen, 100)
Nora realises that self-fulfillment is not about finding truth in books, and from other people, it is about finding what is true for oneself.
There are some links which can be drawn between the characters in these two books. One can compare the General in Eva Luna, to Torvald in A Doll?s House. It seems that both these characters have power over someone, or some people, however it is a power which is forced onto its recipients. If the circumstances were different, then these two characters would not posses such power. In Eva Luna, if there were no armies, no propaganda, no forceful tactics that the General could use, then he would have no power, because he could no longer control people. But, Eva?s power is what she stirs inside people, not what she forces upon them. This is paralleled in A Doll?s House with Torvald. If society had different values, and women were the dominant sex, then Torvald, and many other men that he represents, would have no power, and we see this occurring when Nora defies society and decides to be independent, and leaves Torvald ? and there is no question that this was an absolutely unheard of thing to do at the time, when the play toured to Germany it was such an outrageous notion, that German authorities forced Ibsen to change the ending – it is then that we see that it is Torvald who is totally dependent on Nora, not the other way round, and by leaving, Nora has shown that she always had the power in the relationship.
Both of these women, Nora and Eva, had very little or no power at the start of the texts, but by the end they have gained economic, emotional, and physical power. Both women are faced with adverse circumstances, but through their self-determination, they are able to triumph over these circumstances, and gain the power they lacked at the beginning of their journeys.
I believe that the authors of these texts are putting forward the message that true power is something that is innate in people, not something that can be achieved in the ways that the General, and Lucas Carle did. Where the power lies in a certain situation is not always where it first seems most obvious.
In these two texts there are different people who posses different forms of power in society. There are those who force ideas upon others, and who only wish to benefit themselves, and seek absolute power, but there are also those who have power because they are able to communicate to the core of other people, and they are able to give people the courage to stand up for what they believe. These are the people who have the true power, and who, in these two texts, eventually, in one way or another succeed.
Bibliography:1) Isabel Allende, Eva Luna, Alfred A. Knopf (trans), (New York; Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1988)
2) Henrik Ibsen, A Doll?s House, Michael Meyer (trans), (London; Methuen Drama, 1985)
Другие работы по теме:
Goo Goo Dolls
Эта американская команда, исповедующая так называемый "мэйнстрим", была создана в 1986 году в Буффало, где она начала свой старт с выступлений в местных клубах. В ее состав вошли Джонни Рзезник (вокал, гитара), Робби Такак (вокал, бас) и Джордж Тутуска.
Луна Писарро, Франсиско Хавьер де
Франсиско Хавьер де Луна Писарро — (исп. Francisco Xavier de Luna Pizarro) — (3 ноября 1780, Арекипа – 9 февраля 1855, Лима) — перуанский священник и политический деятель. Два раза, в 1822 и 1833 годах, становился главой Перу на непродолжительное время.
Analysis Of Irony In A Doll
’s House Essay, Research Paper Analysis of Irony in A Doll?s House All scenes of this play take place in the late 1800?s home of one of the main characters, Torvald Helmer. Written by Henrik Ibsen, A Doll?s
Alice Walker Review Essay Research Paper Courtney
Alice Walker Review Essay, Research Paper Courtney Smith Final Paper 5/11/2000 Alice Walker, in a short story called Advancing Luna- and Ida B. Wells, reflects back on her life to a friendship she had with a white girl in the sixties. She does so in a approach to which she justifies herself and her actions with still a sense of uncertainty.
How Does The Moon Control The Sea
Essay, Research Paper Symbolism is one of the most important techniques in literature; it helps the reader to understand and visualize what the author is trying to convey. In the novel Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolofo Anaya symbolism runs rampant, the sea and the moon represent the conflicting sources pulling apart a young boy approaching the reaching the age of reason.
Nisha Essay Research Paper Earlier Days When
Nisha Essay, Research Paper Earlier Days When My Sister Was Born It was this day, 10 years ago when my sister was born. We were in India. Everyone was happy and so was I. It is indeed very hard to remember but I still have stored this memory in my mind like remembering my own birthday party. When my dad and mom brought the baby girl home from the hospital everyone was much excited to see her.
SpanishEnglish Halloween Story Essay Research Paper On
Spanish-English Halloween Story Essay, Research Paper On la vispera de Todos los Santos a young boy went to a casa de los fantasmas. Outside there were esqueletos hanging on the walls. He was wearing a glow in the dark mascara, carrying a calavera in one hand and a saco in the other. His disfraz masked his miedo.
Invisible Man Essay Research Paper Life on
Invisible Man Essay, Research Paper Life on the Strings Dolls. We are surrounded by dolls. G. I. Joe, Barbie, Polly Pocket, and WWF action figures. Prior to our plasticene friends we had paper dolls, marionettes, and delicately featured porcelain dolls. We are strangely fascinated by these cold, lifeless objects that look so much like ourselves.
Ibsens 2
Ibsens’ A Dolls House Essay, Research Paper Key Question: Did Nora make the right decision? Why or why not? Nora and Helmer s relationship in Ibsen s play, A Doll s House, is a very fictitious relationship. The way Nora is treated, called names, and bossed around, degrades the female society. Feminism lurks throughout the whole play.
Diamond In The Rough Essay Research Paper
Diamond in the rough Why Master P is set apart from all the other hard-core rappers? He owns his own music company and built his empire around No Limit (the hottest in the business). He was almost a NBA player, and he owns his own line of dolls (the Master P doll). His company makes a net worth each year of $361 million.
Dolls House Victims Essay Research Paper In
Doll`s House Victims Essay, Research Paper In what ways do you find Nora a victim? In what ways at fault? Nora Helmer, the wife of Torvald Helmer and mother of 3 children, is a very complex and brave
A Dolls House Henrik Ibsen 1828-1906 Essay
, Research Paper ?HELMER: My little songbird mustn?t droop her wings. What?s this? Is little squirrel sulking?? Torvald asks this to Nora after she returned from shopping at the start
The Cell 2
The Cell – Spoof Essay, Research Paper Batherine Mean enters the realm of the human mind through an advanced neurological study. She is able to go inside the minds of passed-out people and talk to them while they are unconscious. What purpose this may serve is still unknown, but it sure sounds cool doesn?t it?
Fall Of The House Of Usher By
Egar Allen Poe Essay, Research Paper Will Lewis “The Fall of the House of Usher” The story starts out with the narrator riding up to an old and gloomy house. He stresses that the overall persona of the house is very eerie. The reason he is at this house is because he received a letter from an old friend by the name of Roderick Usher.
Nora Helmer As Doll Essay Research
Paper Nora Helmer as a Doll In Isben’s, A Dolls House Nora, the protagonist is treated like a doll – the property of Torvald Helmer. In Act I, there are many clues that hint at the kind of marriage Nora and Torvald have. It seems that Nora is a doll controlled by Torvald. She relies on him for everything, from movements to thoughts, much like a puppet that is dependent on its puppet master for all of its actions.
DollS House By Henrik Ibsen Essay Research
Paper In a Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen reveals how society and authority hinders the development of individuality. By examining how Nora’s father treated her, the way Nora’s husband talked to her, a woman’s social expectations, and the social status of women, Ibsen sets forth the image of a stiffed woman, trapped in an unhappy marriage.
Henrik Ibsen
“A Dolls House” (Ideas) Essay, Research Paper How women and Men are portrayed in the play and how this can be directly related back to the social issues of the time.
Essay Grandfather
’s Old House Essay, Research Paper I will always remember my grandfather’s old house. It was a very old house bilt in 1911 in an old South-East European style. The house was made of old Dalmatian stone, red bricks, and white lime. It took a lot of time, perspiration and effort to build this house.Therefore,this unusual old-fashioned building was very valuable.
In HOuse Pollution Essay Research Paper IntroductionThe
In HOuse Pollution Essay, Research Paper Introduction The phrase ?House? isn?t a strange thing for us. Everyone in the earth wish to has his or her own house to live in. People use their house for shelter and a place to sleep, cook, bath, relax and many more. What?s the most important is that they could spend their time with their families.
An Essay On A Dolls House Essay
, Research Paper In the play, A Doll?s House, by Ibsen, a standard of behavior was not followed. The main character, Nora shocks the readers with her behavior. She does not behave as she is expected to during that time period. Her and her family must face consequences, which effect the overall work.
Women In The Victorian Era Essay Research
Paper In the Victorian Era (1832-1901), women faced many challenges. Women were not treated as they are today. They were treated unfairly and not heard. There was a need for women to express their own needs as human beings, and finally overcome their hardship. But the question remained, what was their position in life? Two pieces of literature that deal with this topic are A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen and A Woman s Thoughts about Women by Dinah Maria Mulock.
Dramatic Irony In A Dolls Hous Essay
, Research Paper Dramatic Irony in A Dolls House Irony serves the purpose of accentuating a story, it also adds to its creativity and originality. There are numerous types of
Quiencenera Essay Research Paper Quinceanera by
Quiencenera Essay, Research Paper Quinceanera by Judith Ortiz Cofer What shocked me that midnight was that I heard my own voice loud and clear, Julia Alvarez mentioned. Julia Alvarez remembers the hard work and the amount of time spent in planning her quinceanera, just as if occurred yesterday. Alvarez illustrates her emotions and feeling through this outstanding poem.
A Dolls House 2
A Dolls House – Noras Rebellion Against Society Essay, Research Paper A Dolls House: Nora?s rebellion against society The central theme of this play is Nora?s rebellion against society and everything that was expected of her. Nora shows this by breaking away from all the standards and expectations her husband and society had set up for her.
A Dolls House Essay Research Paper A
A Dolls House Essay, Research Paper A Doll s House One of A Doll’s House’s central theme is secession from society. It is demonstrated by several of its characters breaking away from the social standards of their time and acting on their own terms. No one character demonstrates this better than Nora.
A Dolls House Essay Research Paper In
A Dolls House Essay, Research Paper In the play, A Doll?s House, by Henrik Ibsen there seems to include serious social commentary underlying in this piece. This play is obviously critical of the time period, but also presents little or no solutions. The play is critiquing the society of the time for its structured hierarchy of male dominance.
The Awakening Vs A Dolls House
Essay, Research Paper The Awakening vs. A Doll?s House Just because a novel is considered a classic doesn?t mean the messages it conveys to its readers are correct. Even though both The Awakening by Kate Chopin and A Doll?s House by Henrik Ibsen are great literary works, some of the ideas embodied in them aren?t appropriate.
The Dolls House Essay Research Paper A
The Dolls House Essay, Research Paper A Doll’s House Henrik Ibsen portrayed the protagonist (Nora Helmer) of A Doll’s House as someone who went through a series of trials and tribulations. As the story developes she realizes that she is unsatisfied with the stereotypical role that society had forced her to play.
There Will Come Soft Rains Essay Research
Paper There Will Come Soft Rains is about a house. The house is fully automated. Everything from the garage door to cleaning mice is automated. As the day goes on, the house recognizes to time and starts tasks at certain times. The house can recognize the dog’s bark and let it come inside. It also has a weather box, which determines the outside weather and plays a song or poem.
Toys That Gender Stereotypes Essay Research Paper
To Great of a Toy Toys describe how children should act. Adults expect girls to play with dolls like Barbie and Cabbage Patch dolls. They expect boys to play with action toys such as X-men, GI JOE dolls, and Hot Wheels. This sexually stereotypes a kid, because this is suggesting that they girls to chase after so called cute looking guys at the mall and always be interested in fashion and money.
Barbie A Sex Symbol Essay Research Paper
Laura Fultz Period 5 Barbie : The Sex Symbol? Barbie, America’s number one selling doll, was not a sex symbol. With the aid of a child’s imagination, she could be -and do- anything a child wanted. Barbie has endured through decades of social and political upheaval -not to mention the countless attacks by feminists.
Eva Luna Essay Research Paper Novel Eva
Eva Luna Essay, Research Paper Novel: Eva Luna by Isabel Allende; 307 pp; Cost: $7.99 Eva Luna is based on the life of the protagonist of the novel, Eva Luna. The story begins with the tale of how Eva Luna was concieved by her mother trying to save the life of a snake bitten indian. It takes place in an unnamed South American country because the characters speak Spanish.
A Dolls House
– Norma’s Pride Essay, Research Paper Nora Helmer in a A Dolls House is a women ahead of her time. In order to protect her children from a false life, she inflicts tragedy upon herself by leaving every thing she has by walking away. She puts herself in this tragic situation by not being honest. Nora lies to herself and the ones she cares about.