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Tamanna Kareem
Becky Cole
25 April 2023

‘Literature suggests that it’s always better to act than to do
nothing
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In your
answer, compare one drama text and one poetry text from the above lists
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As both
works were published in the 19th century, it is common to see the critique and challenges
made to societal norms, as gender stereotypes are broken as characters revolt through action,
with Ibsen presenting Nora as active through leaving her marriage, and Rossetti allowing her
characters to reject marriage as a whole
...

Both authors highlight that it is ‘always better to act than to do nothing’, as their
characters ght against the gender imbalance in society
...
This ideal represents Ibsen’s character Nora,
where she is objecti ed and belittled by her dominant husband as she is described as ‘my…
skylark,’ and ‘squanderbird’, anchoring her dehumanisation as she is passive in act one
...
This infantilisation is seen in
Smith’s production of A Doll’s House, where a play chest is on stage throughout the whole
performance, further anchoring her subordinate position in the eyes of Torvald as she is
inactive during the rst act
...
This act of revoking her status as a wife is a clear
challenge to 19th century ideals, as Ibsen critiques the true purpose of women, proving that
‘literature suggests that it is always better to act than to do nothing’, as Nora has removed
herself from a powerless marriage
...

Sinclair argued that that particular ‘slamming’ of the door ‘reverberated throughout
Victorian England’ anchoring this act of rebellion as a step towards the future of
independence, proving that is is ‘better to act than to do nothing’, when moving away strict
19th century ideals, where women are seen as oppressed
...
This can be seen
effectively in ‘No, Thank you, John’, where there is an active female speaker
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Furthermore, the use of imperatives when she tells John to ‘use your
common sense’ also acts as a means of dominance, highlighting an active speaker as she
remains con dent in her wishes to remain unmarried, similar to Rossetti herself as she
refused to marry her ancee over different beliefs
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Similarly, Ibsen’s Nora
also acts in a way of assertion as she removes her ring and tells Torvald to ‘give’ hers back
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This negotiation of ownership and power is evident in ‘Winter: my secret’,
where the female speaker takes advantage of possession of something only she knows,
anchoring the concept of feminine power, as she states that ‘my secret’s mine’, signifying
female agency and power which was often handed to the men of a 19th century society
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The symbolism of love through jewellery and the removal,

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embodies female independence and their action in breaking free from relationships which no
longer serve them, proving that ‘literature suggests that it is always better to act than to do
nothing’
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This is exempli ed as she had ‘for your [Laura] sake’, risked her life to save her
sister, challenging the dominant goblin men, proving that it is ‘always better to act than to do
nothing’ in the face of adversity, and upholding the notion of strong women
...
This also links to Rossetti’s Christian beliefs where in the Bible it also promotes the
idea that ‘faith without action is dead’, proving that ‘literature suggests that it is always better
to act than to do nothing’
...
George Shaw argued that ‘A Doll’s House is set in every
suburb in Europe’, anchoring the idea that his play is a microcosm for society, as Ibsen
navigates a common problem in the 19th century- a lack of female autonomy
...

Therefore, it can be seen that ‘it is always better to act than to do nothing’, when evolving and
reaching personal ful lment against the morals and expectations of society
...
Ibsen explores female
independence and the individual growth of a person as they rebel against strict ideals which
con ne them to a life of belittlement, similarly, Rossetti highlights the importance of strong
female voices and the power of active women against dominant men

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