Question

Read the passage from A Doll’s House.

Helmer: To desert your home, your husband and your children! And you don't consider what people will say!

Nora: I cannot consider that at all. I only know that it is necessary for me.

Helmer: It's shocking. This is how you would neglect your most sacred duties.

Read the passage from A Room of One’s Own.

That refuge she would have sought certainly. It was the relic of the sense of chastity that dictated anonymity to women even so late as the nineteenth century. Currer Bell, George Eliot, George Sand, all the victims of inner strife as their writings prove, sought ineffectively to veil themselves by using the name of a man. Thus they did homage to the convention, which if not implanted by the other sex was liberally encouraged by them (the chief glory of a woman is not to be talked of, said Pericles, himself a much-talked-of man), that publicity in women is detestable.

What theme is explored in both passages?

Women are strong and do need the support of men.
Raising children is a woman’s most important job.
Women are expected to be invisible in society.
Women should take pride in caring for children.

Answer 1

The theme that is explored in the two passages that re given in this question is this: WOMEN ARE EXPECTED TO BE INVISIBLE IN THE SOCIETY.

Explanation:

Two passages are attached to this question and we are required to find out a theme that is common to both passages.

In passage 1, the most obvious theme that one can easily recognized is that of women's job of raising children. Another theme, that is hidden inside this passage is that of exposure to the society. Helmer was scolding Nora and she told her that by deserting her family, she will be exposing herself to the public and to critical statements, but Nora told her that she doesn't care about that.

In passage 2, the most obvious theme that was treated is that of women's need to protect themselves from publicity.

Thus, the theme that both passages have in common is that of women's need to be invisible in the society.

Answer 2

Answer: Women are expected to be invisible in society.