Such a Doll

Old New York is a society rooted in conventionality and the ‘norm.’ This can be illustrated in that Age of Innocence holds an intrinsic value that women can relate to in that it is a book which centers upon several widespread beliefs that although inhibited by societal pressure are part of the social code which helps asses the values and peculiarities that are regarded as ‘proper’ with those who deviate or act eccentrically suffering helplessly as society’s blameless yet falsified scapegoats. Therefore there is an implicit social code that helps relate which tenets are gossiped and barred for apparently ‘misbehaving’ when really no crime has been committed or anything scandalous has actually occurred. A clear example of such a claim can be illustrated by the juxtaposition of Archer’s wife May who appears to be sexually innocent, guileless, and completely “unknowing” though we get a sense that such is the fake byproduct created by the manufacturing plant of New York society and thoughtfully as well as dutifully pieced together by mothers that have for generations encouraged beauty and outer-appearance as more important than knowledge, virtue, and strength. Thus as a result, in The Age of Innocence, one looks at May and sees a child not a woman. Though she is, indeed, a woman her behaviors as well as her unsupported actions don’t match with the actions that are generally associated with that of a young adult. Like Nora in A Doll’s House both display some similar virtues in that they are both treated like ‘pets’ because of the fact that they are assumed and dictated by society’s standards as unknowledgeable and therefore require guidance, teaching, control by their husbands. Thus as a result, a male-domineering complex is created in that the women remains in the home, a haven for young mistresses that cannot survive in the outside, dangerous world of novelty and frenzied activity. Furthermore both Nora and May display other qualities including an unbalanced relationship with their husbands. Moreover, both Torvald and Archer also have some shared qualities, especially in that they both care for wives that are beautiful. Both May and Nora are described with ideal feminine traits such as rosy cheeks. Moreover, May is described as the white lilies-of-the-valley further emphasizing the ideal of a porcelain doll in that its skin is so white, white as snow. Likewise there’s also a sense of feigned intelligence but above all moral purity though in Nora’s case she is much more explicit and flirtatious both characters to a degree affect ignorance. However, for Torvald and Archer they do not have to ‘fake’ or ‘pretend’ or ‘act’ in any manner besides the masculine ideal. Thus in order to maintain such an image both characters are the breadwinners of their home and deeply concerned with their reputations. Perhaps most similarly, these two characters also feel a slightly fatherly duty to “instruct” their wives. Above all else, women are constantly submissive and dependent of men because of the society standards that are placed. This can be illustrated in A Doll’s House in that Ms. Linde got married not out of love but purely monetary gain so that she could pay for her sick family member and support her children, thus she has a very financial relationship with her husband, instead of a loving one.