1800's versus 2020's: Prioritizing things can be difficult

 As a college student, we have so many responsibilities to manage, like school, family, sports, and even a social life. Personally, I find it difficult to find a set priority out of all of these. While I know that school is supposed to be my number one, honestly, it does not always work out, proven here in this moment as I turn this blog in late after practice. 

    In a Doll's House, Nora is told that "...before all else, you're a wife and mother...", and that is what she should focus on (146). But she wants more and has a difficult time making herself fixate on that stereotypical list of tasks. Like I have school, practice, and more every day, Nora juggles her family, duties as a homemaker and her desire to be involved in the financial part of her husband's life, even if it is not allowed at that time. 

    While I am free to pursue everything I want at Loyola, I still sometimes cannot choose what to focus on. This morning, I had to focus on my practice and the decision to get sleep overstaying up late was such a difficult one, which is mirrored in Nora's decision to respect her husband or fight for her secret. While I do not encounter these choices every day, I understand where Nora struggles. 

    While I am not dealing with a family friend confessing love for me like Nora, I do feel the pull of different people expecting different things out of me. Like Dr. Rank expected Nora to return his feelings, my family expects me to be present in their life and the culture of my home. Just as Nora's husband wants her to remain pretty and helpless, my coaches expect me to give my whole life to hours of practice and early mornings. And just like how Krogstad expects Nora to fight for his job, my teachers want my full focus on piles of homework and classes. It can be impossible to choose, especially when what is supposed to happen and what I am supposed to prioritize is not always realistic. 

After reading the comments on my essay, I hope to improve upon my placement of quotes and evidence.