In the plays A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen and Othello by William Shakespeare and the novel Great Gatsby by Gerald Fitzgerald, the theme sexuality is portrayed throughout all three pieces of work. Each main character in their respective novels uses the theme as a device to better their situations.
The first work that portrays sexuality is A Dolls House. We meet Nora who has two sides to her. The readers see both sides; however everyone else only sees one side of her including her husband Torvald Helmer. Torvald treats her like a trophy wife. He has put her up on a pedastal and is very comfortable keeping her there, and feels she is as well. Torvald has this theory of all women, not just Nora. He feels the wives are the ones to take care of the children and that children listen to mothers more. It seems most commonly to be the mother's influence, though naturally a bad father's would have the same result." (Act 1 Scene 1 line 39.)We meet Nora as carfree and loving. She seems like the doting wife, who loves taking care of her children and her husband. We also see she has a childish air about her, that most things do not concern her. The pattern between the three women is they all have been living off someone usually a father figure, and have never been independent for themselves. Every other conversation has her laughing off or shaking her hand like what ever trifle at the time does not mean anything. Because she has a carefree manner, she uses her feminism to attract things that she wants or to get out of trouble. When Nora talks about spending Christmas gifts for the child, and Torvald reprimands her, she turns it around, so very quickly he is apologizing and saids it is okay to spend what money on the gifts. (Act 1 Scene 1 line 35 page 547). As soon as he forgives, her she becomes coy, and flirtacisous, playing with him coat buttons. We see her then get out of trouble again soon after (Act I Scene 1 line 11 page 549) when he questions smelling maccorrons on her mouth. He asks if she has had any. She replies of course, not saying she would not want to of gone against his wishes. This right here states her credibiblity of being honest with her husband, and foreshadows for what the reader later learns. Into the play we find out that Nora is not just a trophy wife but cunning, and knows how to use her sexuality to achieve what she needs to. When she is trying to get Torvalds mind off the mail, she lures him into the bedroom with thoughts of sex which he is supplable to. In the beginning of their marriage when she was pregnant, Torvald fell ill. They needed money which they didnt have, Nora lies to her husband and saids her father gave her money, when in fact, she borrowed money from a loan shark. When the loan shark comes to collect and blackmail her, she tries to use her sexuality too to have him leave. (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 4 page 565) we also see a side of manuipulation in her. She is not just looking out for her husband, who would of died if they did not get the money to travel, but herself. She was looking out for the benefit for her, and also for her children. Another example of how she uses her sexuality is the Tarantella dance. This dance is a folk dance from Southern Italy thats has quick tempos and alternates between keys. Nora is compared to this dance because of its constant fluctuation. During this dance it is Noras chance to amuse him, and be his doll. But, my dear Nora, you look so worn out. Have you been practicing too much? NORA: No, I have not practiced at all. Helmer: But you will need to--- NORA: Yes, indeed I shall, Torvald. But, I can't get on a bit without you to help me; I have absolutely forgotten the whole thing." (Act II Scene 1 line 29 page 583) As we come to the ending of the play, her sexuality fails her, because Nora leaves her family. She finally realizes she doesnt have have independences, and wants to see what she would be as a person with some.
In the second dissucssion, we discuss how Desdemonda uses her sexuality to better her situation in Othello. Desdemonda comes from the same postion as Nora. She is transferred to her fathers hand to her husbands hand, and has not had to take care of herself. Her Husband Othello takes her to be meek and submissive, however shes not because she uses her sexuality to keep him on a leash. However he does not admit this. She does not show this independence streak much though because she loves Othello and wants him to be happy. She uses her sexuality when they are out in public, by making him feel satisfied and she is his fair warrior
Desdemona challenges her husband her father both through out the play. When Desdemona wants to marry Othello and goes through without her fathers permission, she is showing a side to the audience that she is not scared of him.
Throughout the novel Desdemona uses her sexuality and love towards Othello to keep him happy. She also is truly saying this because she really does him and wants to make him happy. And have you mercy too! I never did Offend you in my life; never loved Cassio But with such a general warranty of heaven As I might love; I never gave him token. (Oth. V. ii. 59-62) We see that Desdemona is working towards bettering herself and becoming the same status as a male. Perhaps she looked up towards her father and wants to have that same power as well. The aspect of playing the same role as the men in the Venetian society also explains Desdemonas marriage to Othello. Brabantio didnt take the initative to have Desdemona court Othello, so Desdemona did it because she was jealous of the power that her father had over her, and the power of Othellos bravery and masculinity. Desdemonas actions were not necessarily based on the desire to be a man, but more so a desire to have the equal powers of men. By marrying Othello, Desdemona was showing that she was strong enough and educated enough to break the societal confines of passivity for women
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