What are the similarities and differences between the short story “The Thing Around Your Neck” by Adichie and the play “A doll’s house” by Ibsen?

Question

The similarities and differences could look at context, narrative structure, authorial craft, narrative POV, conflicts, themes, symbols etc.

Answer 1

Similarity:

Exploration of Gender Roles and Feminism: Both works delve into the roles of women in society and challenge traditional gender norms. Adichie's stories often focus on female characters navigating societal expectations, much like Nora in Ibsen's play, who struggles against the constraints of her domestic role​​​​​​.

Difference:

Form and Structure: Adichie's work is a collection of short stories, each with its own characters and plot, whereas Ibsen's "A Doll’s House" is a three-act play focusing on a continuous narrative centered around Nora Helmer and her family​​​​.

Sources: 

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-thing-around-your-neck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_Around_Your_Neck

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Doll%27s_House

Answer 2

Similarities:

Themes of Gender Roles and Women's Liberation: Both works explore the struggles of women in male-dominated societies, focusing on their journey towards self-discovery and independence.

Social and Familial Expectations: Each narrative delves into the pressures imposed by society and family on women, examining how these expectations shape their lives.

Conflict Between Personal Desires and Societal Norms: Central characters in both stories grapple with the tension between their desires and their expected roles.

Symbolic Use of Objects: Both stories use physical objects (the necklace in Adichie’s story and the doll house in Ibsen’s play) to symbolize the main characters' entrapment and societal constraints.

Differences:

Cultural and Historical Context: "The Thing Around Your Neck" is set in contemporary Nigeria and America, reflecting modern societal issues, while "A Doll's House" is set in 19th-century Norway, focusing on the societal norms of that era.

Narrative Structure and Genre: Adichie’s work is a short story with a more straightforward narrative, while Ibsen’s is a three-act play with a complex structure, including dialogue and stage directions.

Authorial Craft and Style: Adichie’s narrative uses a more contemporary, straightforward style, whereas Ibsen employs a dramatic, theatrical style appropriate for a play.

Narrative Point of View (POV): Adichie often uses a second-person narrative, creating a more intimate connection with the reader, while Ibsen’s play is presented through dialogue and actions observed by the audience.

Resolution: The resolutions differ in tone and outcome, with Adichie’s story often leaving the protagonist in a state of ambiguity and reflection, while Ibsen’s play concludes with a more definitive action by the protagonist.

These points should provide a good basis for discussing the similarities and differences between these two works.