In the works A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen and “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, we encounter the conflict of women being oppressed and struggling for their role as human beings; seeking freedom from their home and husband. Nora and Georgina's husbands were oppressors of their wives' choices. They were objects to their husbands and their obligations were to take care of their home, family and become their husband's pride and trophy. In A Doll House, although Nora is oppressed, Ibsen gives her the ability to reciprocate roles within the household, which speaks to the empowerment of women in the 19th century which is only beginning and perhaps influence many other empowerment movements to come. In “The Birthmark,” Hawthorne shows the horrific consequences of controlling husbands, how Georgina risked her life to let her husband remove the birthmark on her face that her husband despises. In A Doll House, Nora was an oppressed woman living with her husband. and three children. Torvald, her husband, was the head of the family. He provided financially, went to work and was the ideal father and citizen at the time. Their home was an example of a traditional family. Nora was the ideal wife who devoted herself to her husband and children. His time, affection and pride revolved around his family. Torvald fell ill and desperately needed medical help to stay alive, Torvald not having the money to fund his health needs worried Nora. In her obvious devotion to her husband, Nora sets out to raise money for her husband's health. Nora ends up borrowing money from a lender, Krogstad, and forges her dying father's signature as co-signer. Nora had been “secretly enslaved to the work of a scribe”85). At this point...... middle of paper ... what is the result of all this. A Doll House and "The Birthmark" are two works that deeply inspired and opened the doors to women's empowerment movements in the late 19th century. and throughout the 20th century. Ibsen and Hawthorne fully demonstrated that equality is important in society. These women were oppressed because of their obligation to follow societal norms. Oppressions do not let them be themselves and enjoy freedom of expression and speech. Today these works are read, even though society is far from these oppressions, there are still underlying issues that can be resolved, questioned and re-evaluated. Over the years, countries have made great strides in women's rights, but they remain disrespected. In the 21st century, women are still paid less than men, expected to take care of the household and sometimes conform to societal norms..