Question: Authors often use characterisation as a way to explore wider social

concerns. Compare and contrast the ways in which characters are presented as
embodying or representing an important issue in the text.

Introduction
- A Doll's House, a play by Henrik Ibsen, is a story about a woman named Nora who is
struggling to break free from the societal norms and expectations placed upon her as
a wife and mother. In the play, several characters represent different aspects of this
important issue.
- In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, the character Willy Loman represents the
decline of the American Dream, as he is a salesman person who has failed to
achieve success and financial stability despite his hard work. This is a significant
issue in the text, as it explores the false promises and illusions of the American
Dream, and how it can lead to disillusionment and tragedy.
- Both literary texts, use characters to discuss important issues, I will be looking at the
role that different people have or believe they must fulfill due to society.
-

How marriages are used to show the pressure of society on a marriage and on
individuals
Paragraph 1 - Nora and Torvald
- Point: Nora
- Nora, the protagonist, represents the struggle of women to break free from
the constraints of traditional gender roles and assert their own individuality.
Throughout the play, Nora grapples with the demands placed upon her by her
husband and society, and ultimately makes the decision to leave her family in
order to find herself and pursue her own goals.
- In A Doll's House, the character of Nora represents the pressure of society on
individuals and marriages in several ways. One of the main ways in which
Nora embodies this pressure is through her role as a traditional, 19th-century
housewife and mother. She is expected to be submissive and obedient to her
husband, Torvald, and to always put the needs of her family ahead of her
own. However, Nora struggles with this role and the constraints that it places
on her, and this leads to feelings of frustration and resentment.
- Another way in which Nora represents the pressure of society on individuals
and marriages is through her relationship with Torvald. Despite the fact that
they are supposed to be equals in their marriage, Nora is often treated like a
child by Torvald, who constantly belittles and patronizes her. This dynamic
puts a great deal of strain on their relationship, as Nora begins to question the
value of their marriage and her own worth as a person.
- Furthermore, Nora's secret actions and deception also highlight the pressure
of society on individuals and marriages. In order to save her husband's life,
Nora takes out a loan without his knowledge and uses the money to pay for
his medical treatment. She then goes to great lengths to keep this secret from
him and to maintain the appearance of the perfect wife and mother. However,
when her secret is revealed, Nora is shunned and judged by society, which
reinforces the strict gender roles and expectations that she has been
struggling against.
 - Overall, Nora's character in A Doll's House represents the pressure of society
on individuals and marriages by highlighting the ways in which traditional
gender roles and expectations can lead to feelings of frustration and
resentment, as well as a lack of autonomy and agency within marriage.
- Evidence:
- Point: Torvald
- Torvald, Nora's husband, represents the patriarchal society that seeks to
control and restrict women's actions and choices. He is dismissive of Nora's
desires and ambitions and treats her like a child or a possession rather than
an equal partner.
- Torvald is a wealthy and successful businessman who is deeply devoted to
his wife, Nora, and their children. However, he also has very traditional and
outdated ideas about gender roles, and he sees Nora as little more than a
frivolous and decorative object rather than an equal partner in their marriage.
Throughout the play, Torvald's attitudes and actions towards Nora highlight
the limitations and injustices faced by women in a patriarchal society. As Nora
struggles to assert her own independence and identity, she ultimately rejects
the oppressive confines of her marriage and leaves Torvald, symbolizing the
need for women to break free from the societal constraints that limit their
potential.
- In A Doll's House, the character of Torvald represents the pressure of society
on individuals and marriages in several ways. One of the main ways in which
Torvald embodies this pressure is through his role as the patriarch of his
household and his expectations of his wife, Nora. Torvald believes that Nora
should be a submissive and obedient wife who always puts the needs of her
family ahead of her own. He treats her like a child, belittling and patronizing
her, and this puts a great deal of strain on their relationship.
- Another way in which Torvald represents the pressure of society on
individuals and marriages is through his own expectations and desires. He is
a successful and wealthy man who expects to live a comfortable and
luxurious life, and he often places his own needs and desires above those of
his wife and children. This self-centered attitude puts a great deal of strain on
his marriage and his relationships with others, as his loved ones struggle to
live up to his expectations.
- Furthermore, Torvald's reaction to Nora's secret actions also highlights the
pressure of society on individuals and marriages. When Nora's secret is
revealed, Torvald is shocked and outraged, and he immediately rejects her
and their marriage. This reaction reinforces the strict gender roles and
expectations of society, and it illustrates the ways in which these expectations
can lead to conflict and disillusionment within relationships.
- Overall, Torvald's character in A Doll's House represents the pressure of
society on individuals and marriages by highlighting the ways in which
traditional gender roles and expectations, as well as a self-centered attitude,
can lead to conflict and disillusionment within relationships.
- Evidence:

Paragraph 2 - Willy and Linda

- Point: Linda
 - This issue is also explored through the character of Linda, who is trapped in
her role as a supportive wife and mother and is unable to pursue her own
dreams and desires.
- In the play "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, the character Linda is a
complex and multi-dimensional figure who represents a number of important
themes and issues in society. She is the wife of the play's protagonist, Willy
Loman, and is deeply devoted to her husband and her family. Throughout the
play, Linda is shown to be a supportive and loving wife, but she is also faced
with the difficult reality of her husband's declining mental health and his
inability to come to terms with his own failures.
- In Death of a Salesman, the character of Linda Loman represents the
pressure of society on individuals and marriages in several ways. One of the
main ways in which Linda embodies this pressure is through her constant
support of her husband, Willy, and his pursuit of the American Dream. Despite
Willy's lack of success and financial struggles, Linda remains steadfast in her
belief that he will eventually achieve his goals and become successful. She
constantly encourages him to keep trying and to never give up, even when he
is facing rejection and disappointment.
- Another way in which Linda represents the pressure of society on individuals
and marriages is through her own feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
Despite her loyalty and support of Willy, she often feels like she is not doing
enough to help him and their family. She also feels like she has failed in some
way as a wife and mother, and this leads her to become increasingly anxious
and depressed.
- Furthermore, Linda's role as a supportive and nurturing wife and mother also
puts a great deal of pressure on her to always be there for her family, even
when they are not always appreciative or understanding. She often sacrifices
her own needs and desires in order to support Willy and their children, and
this can lead to a great deal of emotional strain and conflict within the family.
- Overall, Linda's character in Death of a Salesman represents the pressure of
society on individuals and marriages by highlighting the ways in which the
expectations of traditional gender roles and the need to support and nurture
one's family can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, as well as a
great deal of emotional strain.
- Evidence:
- Point: Willy
- In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, the character Willy Loman
represents the decline of the American Dream, as he is a salesperson who
has failed to achieve success and financial stability despite his hard work.
This is a significant issue in the text, as it explores the false promises and
illusions of the American Dream, and how it can lead to disillusionment and
tragedy. For example, Willy says, "I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life
has been," indicating his disappointment and disillusionment with his failure to
achieve the success he thought was his due
- In Death of a Salesman, the character of Willy Loman represents the
pressure of society on individuals and marriages in several ways. One of the
main ways in which Willy embodies this pressure is through his constant
pursuit of the American Dream, which is often associated with success,
 wealth, and happiness. Willy is a salesmanperson who believes that he can
achieve this dream through hard work and determination, but his lack of
success and constant financial struggles put a great deal of strain on his
marriage and his relationships with his family members.
- Another way in which Willy represents the pressure of society on individuals
and marriages is through his inability to cope with failure and rejection. Willy
has a hard time accepting that he is not as successful as he would like to be,
and this leads him to become increasingly frustrated and disillusioned with his
life. His inability to come to terms with his own limitations puts a great deal of
strain on his marriage and his relationship with his family, as he becomes
more and more bitter and resentful.
- Furthermore, Willy's belief in the American Dream also puts a great deal of
pressure on his marriage and his relationships with others. He is constantly
trying to live up to the expectations of society, and this leads him to put
pressure on his wife and children to be successful and happy. This pressure
ultimately leads to conflict and tension within the family, as Willy's loved ones
struggle to live up to his expectations.
- Overall, Willy's character in Death of a Salesman represents the pressure of
society on individuals and marriages by highlighting the ways in which the
pursuit of the American Dream and the inability to cope with failure and
rejection can lead to conflict and disillusionment within families

Paragraph 3
- Point:
- Dr. Rank and Mrs. Linde, two other characters in the play, also represent the
societal pressures that Nora faces. Dr. Rank is a friend of the family who is
dying of a terminal illness, and his presence serves as a reminder of the
finality of life and the importance of making choices that are true to oneself.
Mrs. Linde, on the other hand, is an old friend of Nora's who has had to make
sacrifices in her own life in order to support her family, and her experiences
provide a contrast to Nora's own situation.
- Another important issue in the play is the impact of societal expectations on
individual happiness and fulfillment. Willy's son Biff, for example, struggles to
live up to his father's expectations and conform to societal norms, leading to
feelings of inadequacy and resentment. This is demonstrated in the scene
where Biff says to his father, "I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you!...I'm not a
leader of men, Willy, and neither are you," indicating his frustration and
resentment at being unable to meet his father's expectations.
- Evidence:

Conclusion
- Overall, the characters in A Doll's House represent the struggle of women to break
free from the constraints of traditional gender roles and assert their own individuality.
Through their interactions and conflicts, Ibsen explores the ways in which society
tries to control and restrict women's actions and choices, and ultimately presents
Nora's decision to leave her family as a powerful and necessary step towards
personal freedom and self-realization.
- Overall, the characters in Death of a Salesman represent a range of important
issues, including the decline of the American Dream, the impact of societal
expectations on individual happiness, and the consequences of living in a
materialistic and consumer-driven society. Through their words and actions, these
characters highlight the ways in which the pursuit of the American Dream can
sometimes lead to disillusionment and tragedy.
- Overall, the characters in Death of a Salesman represent a range of important
issues, including the decline of the American Dream, the impact of societal
expectations on individual happiness, and the consequences of living in a
materialistic and consumer-driven society.