Drama essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Drama - Essay Example Many women were still constrained in their activities by the wishes of their male relatives, whether the dominant voice belonged to the father, the oldest brother or other guardian figure or the husband. These are the issues explored in Henrik Ibsen’s play â€Å"A Doll’s House† through the character of Nora and in Susan Glaspell’s short story â€Å"Trifles.† Comparing these two characters provides insight into the various constraints women had to deal with in their physical setting, their relationships and in their position in society. In both stories, the primary action takes place within the homes of the two female characters involved and each has much to say about the women who are trapped there. Nora’s house is presented in direct reflection of the play’s title. It is a doll’s house, perfectly decorated and arranged for the display of a happy family atmosphere without going to extremes of expense. This can be discerned from Nora’s careful selection of gifts for the upcoming holiday. She tells Torvold, â€Å"they [the gifts] are very plain, but anyway she [Emmy, their little girl] will soon break them in pieces† (Act 1). Gifts for the rest of the household include a new suit for Ivar and dress lengths for the maids, all highly practical and economical. Minnie’s house, in contrast, is introduced as two women and three men, none of them residents, enter into a gloomy farm kitchen. The house is set away from the road and far from the closest neighbor. This does not necessa rily mean the house was a trap for the woman who lived in it, but Mrs. Hale tells Mrs. Peters that she stayed away because the house was gloomy and lonesome. As she mentions this, she reflects that it must have been that much harder for the woman who had to live there. This is made clear in the half-cleaned table, the bread sitting next to rather than inside

Tradition and Dissent in English Christianity Essay

Tradition and Dissent in English Christianity - Essay Example Catholicism was the doctrine that God exists in three forms: the Father who created the world, the Son – Jesus Christ who saved it – and the Holy Spirit, who continued after the crucifixion to keep alive the belief that Christ died for us. The transmission and upholding of these beliefs were the prerogative of the clergy, and they were made accessible – if not understandable – by the creation of a familiar series of traditions enshrined in ritual: the sacraments, processions a fixed order of service based on a yearly cycle encompassing a succession of holy days, the belief that religion was central to the local community and, above all, a profusion of recognisable and reassuring objects: images of the Holy Family, the Saints, the altar, the rood and many others which were affectionately recalled by Roger Martyn and described by Dymond & Paine (1992). After the break with Rome events moved fast. In Henry’s time – despite the dissolution of the monasteries - there were few changes in church rituals which largely retained their traditional form. After his death in 1547 Protestantism was introduced, largely reinforced by the production by Archbishop Cranmer of a new â€Å"Protestant† order of service and the determination to remove Catholic rituals. When the young king Edward VI died in 1553 he was succeeded by his half-sister Mary who immediately moved to restore Roman Catholicism. This was vigorously resisted by those who had become convinced Protestants – including Cranmer who was burnt at the stake – who saw this move as dissent against the established religion. Others however with more old fashioned views welcomed the return of a traditional form of religion. However there were others who saw Roman Catholicism as fomenting dissent against Protestantism – being authoritarian, persecuting and antagonistic to England (Foxe 1563). Only five years later Elizabeth I became queen. Although a dedicated Protestant she was also an accomplished