A Doll's House & Untitled Film Still #84 PDF

Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. Extract 1, Literary (Max = 40 lines) 1 MRS LINDE. My mother w...

Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. Extract 1, Literary (Max = 40 lines) 1 MRS LINDE. My mother was alive then, and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers; so I did not think I was justified in refusing his offer. NORA. No, perhaps you were quite right. He was rich at that time, then? 5 MRS LINDE. I believe he was quite well off. But his business was a precarious one; and, when he died, it all went to pieces and there was nothing left. NORA. And then?— MRS LINDE. Well, I had to turn my hand to anything I could find—first a small shop, then a small school, and so on. The last three years have seemed like one long 10 working-day, with no rest. Now it is at an end, Nora. My poor mother needs me no more, for she is gone; and the boys do not need me either; they have got situations and can shift for themselves. NORA. What a relief you must feel if— MRS LINDE. No, indeed; I only feel my life unspeakably empty. No one to live for 15 anymore. [Gets up restlessly.] That was why I could not stand the life in my little backwater any longer. I hope it may be easier here to find something which will busy me and occupy my thoughts. If only I could have the good luck to get some regular work—office work of some kind— NORA. But, Christine, that is so frightfully tiring, and you look tired out now. You 20 had far better go away to some watering-place. MRS LINDE. [walking to the window]. I have no father to give me money for a journey, Nora. NORA. [rising]. Oh, don’t be angry with me! MRS LINDE. [going up to her]. It is you that must not be angry with me, dear. The 25 worst of a position like mine is that it makes one so bitter. No one to work for, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for chances. One must live, and so one becomes selfish. When you told me of the happy turn your fortunes have taken—you will hardly believe it—I was delighted not so much on your account as on my own. NORA. How do you mean?—Oh, I understand. You mean that perhaps Torvald could 30 get you something to do. MRS LINDE. Yes, that was what I was thinking of. NORA. He must, Christine. Just leave it to me; I will broach the subject very cleverly—I will think of something that will please him very much. It will make me so happy to be of some use to you. MRS LINDE. How kind you are, Nora, to be so anxious to help me! It is doubly kind in you, for you know so little of the burdens and troubles of life.  Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. Extract 2, Non-literary Student outline form 1) Intro:  Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. Explanation of global issue and the question: Today, I’ll be discussing the global issue of gender roles, more specifically, exploring the question of “How do two texts present the idea of domestic confinement and lack of autonomy for women as a result of imposed gender roles?” To do this, I will examine two texts: Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills #84 and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Sherman description: Sherman black and white Untitled Film Stills series was inspired by classic Hollywood and arthouse films. #84, shot in 1978, depicts herself in a kitchen, a setting associated with domestic roles. Ibsen description: Ibsen’s naturalistic modern play focuses on Nora’s struggles as a 19th-century housewife in a patriarchal marriage. In the Act 1 extract I chose, Nora and Mrs. Linde who were once childhood friends, reveal contrasting life outcomes due to gender inequality. Both works critique the traditional gender roles and societal expectations imposed on women. Sherman does so by evoking a slight discomfort within the audience, making them question the domestic confinement. Ibsen directly reflects the effects of gender inequality by contrasting the two characters, Nora and Mrs. Linde. 2) Non-Lit. Extract: Zooming in on the subject Untitled Film Stills #84 challenges the traditional image of women in the kitchen, prompting the audience to question domestic confinement. Subject description: Located at the left side of the image, Sherman plays a role as a protagonist of this photo. She has a tense body language curled slightly, with raised shoulders and one arm clutched to her side, suggesting discomfort in a space meant to be familiar. Attire: She is also wearing outdoor attire, having heavy makeup, blown-out hair, a coat, and long boots, which differs greatly from a common stereotypical image of a woman in the 1950-60s kitchen wear, which was generally a midi dress with an apron, creating a sense of imbalance. Position: Her positioning pushed to the side, also suggests a visual imbalance that highlights her  Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. alienation. Looking away from the ripped-open grocery bag on the floor, her detached gaze suggests disinterest in domestic responsibilities, hinting she doesn't belong there and desires a different reality. 3) Non Lit Extract: Zooming in on the setting Cropping: The tight framing and cropping of Untitled Film Still #84 confines the subject and creates a sense of entrapment, both physically and metaphorically. This enhances discomfort for the viewer. As mentioned earlier, her body is slightly curled up, but despite that, the image is cropped to the point where her left foot is cut off. Objects: This limited space with household items crammed in the background creates a sense of suffocation, highlighting how traditional gender roles put pressure on women, trapping them in domestic environments that are shaped by societal expectations. The everyday household items, such as pans, dishes, and utensils, highlight the all-consuming burden of domestic duties, leaving little room for independence. Besides, these objects are almost too neatly arranged. The pots and pans on the wall are hung up according to size, and the plates are neatly stacked but the top and bottom shelves are empty, making the space feel staged like a play doll’s house. Setting: The setting reflects societal expectations of women being confined to idealized, artificial domestic spaces, tying back to Sherman’s critique of confinement and autonomy. Sherman challenges the audience to question these expectations, suggesting a reevaluation of traditional roles and lack of autonomy allowed for women within such environments. This juxtaposition of her attire and the setting suggests a desire for independence and a subtle rebellion against the traditional female roles as her attire becomes an act of resistance against societal expectations and allows the audience to reconsider the stereotypes tied to domestic spaces. 4) Non-Lit. BOW: ZOOM OUT Sherman’s work often focuses on domestic spaces to emphasize gender roles. In images like #3, #15, and #84, settings such as kitchens and windowsills highlight traditional expectations. However, the subject’s gaze in each photograph hints at a desire to escape. In #3, she looks away from the kitchen, her attention turning beyond the confined space. In #15, she sits on a windowsill, staring outward, suggesting a longing for freedom. These elements reflect how women’s roles are socially constructed and controlled, which  Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. supports Sherman’s intent to critique societal norms. Her staging reflects how women are expected to perform domestic and feminine roles, much like actors on camera. This artificiality critiques how women’s identities are shaped by societal expectations rather than their own choices. The black-and-white aesthetic adds a sense of timelessness, highlighting the persistent nature of these gender norms and urging the audience to question them. 5) link to global issue Sherman’s Untitled Film Still #84 captures the tension between women's desire for autonomy and the societal expectations placed on them. The woman's attire, more suited for the outdoors, creates a visual imbalance in the domestic setting, emphasizing discomfort with traditional gender roles. In Sherman’s body of work, her subjects often gaze away from domestic spaces, hinting at a desire for freedom beyond these confines. This tension challenges the idea of domestic confinement and a lack of autonomy. Sherman critiques how societal expectations confine women, highlighting the clash between independence and imposed roles. She reflects how societal values shape women's identities, affecting not only how men see them but also how women see themselves, often linking their worth to fulfilling traditional domestic roles. 6) Lit. Extract: DOMESTIC CONFINEMENT / Lack of Autonomy (Dialogue) Nora’s conversation with Mrs. Linde highlights her domestic confinement. As a wife and mother, Nora’s role confines her to the household and makes her financially dependent on Torvald. In contrast, Mrs. Linde’s life appears independent, but her freedom is born out of necessity, not autonomy. After her husband’s death, she had no choice but to work  Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. tirelessly to survive. Mrs. Linde’s line 1-2, “I had to provide for my two younger brothers” and line 8 “I had to turn my hand to anything,” emphasize the lack of choice dictated by societal and economic pressures. Both women’s situations reflect the patriarchal system confining women physically and financially, either through domestic roles or economic vulnerability. 7) Lit Extract: LACK OF AUTONOMY (Stage Directions) Nora and Mrs. Linde represent contrasting struggles tied to gender roles. Nora faces domestic confinement and an internal crisis to escape Torvald’s control. Mrs. Linde appears independent but lacks true autonomy due to societal limitations, such as restricted financial opportunities. Even after her husband’s death, she struggles to gain independence. Both women’s sacrifices reflect the effects of patriarchal norms. Nora sacrifices comfort for autonomy, while Mrs. Linde sacrifices personal desires to fulfill financial and caregiving duties. Stage directions reveal their struggles: [Gets up restlessly] in line 15 reflects Mrs. Linde’s anxiety and the emotional toll of economic dependence. [Walking to the window] in line 21 symbolizes a desire for freedom, mirroring Sherman’s UFS #15, where the window represents escape from domestic limitations. These struggles highlight how deeply ingrained patriarchal values confine women physically, financially, and emotionally, even when they seek independence. 8) LIT WHOLE This scene highlights how gender roles confine women both inside and outside their homes. Although Nora and Mrs. Linde are in different positions, their struggles root from patriarchal norms. ○ Mrs. Linde had to marry for financial stability to support her bedridden mother and younger brothers (Lines 1-3). Despite achieving domestic independence, she is still tied to societal expectations and ends up seeking financial help from Torvald (Lines 29-31). ○ Nora’s reliance on Torvald’s wealth sustains her sheltered life, shielding her from  Language A: language and literature Internal Assessment Extract 1 title: A Doll’s House Extract 2 title: Untitled Film Still #84 Global Issue: Domestic confinement and lack of autonomy on women as a result of imposed gender roles. hardships like Mrs. Linde’s, but at the cost of her personal autonomy (Lines 35-36). These examples illustrate how societal norms force women into roles of dependency, limiting their independence even when they seem free from physical confinement. Both women’s choices are dictated by expectations that prioritize caregiving and economic reliance on men. 9) Link to global issue This scene links to the global issue by revealing how gender roles create illusions of autonomy for women within patriarchal societies. Nora’s dependence on Torvald gives the illusion of a secure and stable life. In reality, her role as a wife and mother confines her, symbolizing how patriarchal systems limit women under the guise of protection and provision. Mrs. Linde appears financially independent after her husband’s death but remains restricted by societal barriers. Her search for stability, through work or relationships, shows her lack of true autonomy. Both women’s struggles reflect how gender roles maintains confinement and dependence, even when women seem free from traditional domestic roles. These illusions emphasize the systemic inequalities ingrained in society. 10) Conclusion Both Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Still #84 and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House critique how patriarchal norms confine women and limit their autonomy. Sherman’s photograph challenges the viewer to question domestic confinement through visual imbalance and the subject’s discomfort in a staged domestic setting. Ibsen contrasts Nora’s sheltered dependence on Torvald with Mrs. Linde’s financial struggles. Both works show how societal expectations force women into caregiving roles and economic dependence. Together, these works highlight the illusions of freedom and stability created by gender roles. They urge a reevaluation of how deeply ingrained societal norms confine women both physically and emotionally.