Comparison between A Doll’s House and Brenda’s got a baby Essay Example

and having children by a specific age.

Men were traditionally expected to be the sole providers for their families, with no assistance from others. They were seen as superior and dominant in society, while women were confined to the roles of child-bearing and homemaking. However, these assumptions are questioned in A Dolls House, where the restrictions and expectations placed on women cause problems for the characters. Similarly, in Brenda's Got a Baby, a fictional 12-year old girl named Brenda, who resides in the ghetto, becomes a mother and lacks the ability to financially support her child.

The video begins by stating "based on a true story" and ends with an image of a girl representing Brenda. It explores the issue of teenage pregnancy and its effects on both the young mothers and their families. Like many of Shakur's songs, "Brenda's Got a Baby" is influenced by the difficulties faced by individuals living in poverty. Tupac uses Brenda as a symbol for all young mothers to criticize the lack of support from fathers, the government, and society as a whole. Eventually, Brenda's life takes a dark turn into drug dealing and prostitution before meeting her tragic end.

In a similar vein to A Dolls House, this song focuses on the struggles and inferiority women face in life. The lyrics of the song explicitly depict this, as evident in the line: "Now Brenda's belly is getting bigger but no one seems to notice any change in her figure." This line illustrates how Brenda is being ignored, emphasizing her inferior position. Both the play and the song convey the idea that women often go unnoticed and taken for granted due

to their perceived vulnerability. Additionally, in the alternate ending of A Dolls House, Nora opts for a traditional family life, further highlighting her vulnerability and dependence on the outside world.

The song "Brenda's Got a Baby" depicts Brenda as vulnerable and naive in her relationship with an exploitative man. In the late 1800s, family life in Europe was difficult due to the dominance of a patriarchal society. Men held all the power while women faced numerous legal limitations. One significant constraint was that women were unable to initiate divorce, potentially causing family conflicts if they were unhappy with their husbands. Additionally, women were obligated to marry since they were prohibited from owning property and thus relied on their husbands for financial support.

In A Dolls House, Nora voices her strong desire to say "Bloody Hell," signifying her longing to rebel against her husband in a patriarchal society. In contrast, Tupac's song "Brenda's Got a Baby," written in 1991, depicts a different time and society without the same oppressive structures. The lyrics "Now Brenda's gotta make her own way" illustrate the portrayal of sexism in both the play and the song. However, Brenda's story shows more independence as she must rely on herself and find the easiest means of support, even though her occupation as a prostitute ultimately leads to her demise.

In summary, A Dolls House and Brenda's Got a Baby both depict the unfair treatment of women. In A Dolls House, Nora experiences a sense of entrapment and isolation within her marriage. Similarly, Brenda in the song is neglected and her family remains oblivious to her pregnancy.

Additionally, Brenda's cousin exploits her vulnerability by engaging in sexual activity

with her. Moreover, her pregnancy indicates a lack of knowledge about contraception, further highlighting her lack of education which harkens back to the 1800s setting of A Dolls House. During this time, women were often not afforded the opportunity for a proper education and were merely expected to fulfill domestic roles.