Essay About Hedda Gabler

Essay about Hedda Gabler
Hedda from the play, "Hedda Gabler" by Ibsen is greatly affected due to her background. Hedda's father being a general led her to control issues later
on in life. She felt weak and needed control over the people in her life.
Hedda was born to a great, wonderful, highly regarded and respected general, General Gabler. Because she was his daughter people would show great
respect and loyalty towards her. She was used to people listening and obeying her; she just loved having power over others. When Hedda and her
husband, George Tesman got back from their honeymoon George's aunt, MissTesman was telling themaid how particular Hedda is after growing up
as General Gablers Daughter, "Well of course. General Gabler's daughter. What a life she had
...show more content...
Even on their honeymoon George spent most of the time gathering information for a book he planned to write. George would also go out to parties all
the time, for hours at a time and just leave Hedda at home all by herself. Hedda wanted the praise and power that she got when she was a child and
tried to change George into her father. Although Hedda tried to gain control over her husband she failed.
Hedda tries to gain superiority over George's aunt, Aunt Julie. Aunt Julie is the person that raised George. In a conversation George once had with
his aunt he said, "You, who've been a father and mother to me both." When Aunt Julie stopped by to welcome Hedda and George back from their
honeymoon Hedda talked lowly about Aunt Julie's hat which she picked out just to impress her nephews new wife. When talking about the maid
Hedda said, "See there! She left her old hat lying on a chair. Suppose someone came in and saw it." Hedda also refuses to addressed Aunt Tesman by
her sir name and not as if she was family. George once said "If only you could bring yourself to speak to her warmly, by her first name."
"No–no don't ask me to do that. I told you this once before. I'll try to call her aunt. That should be enough."
By acting this way Hedda tried to return to the life she knew when she was with her father.
Another person Hedda try's to take control over is Thea. Thea is an old class mate back from high school who Hedda used to
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

Ibsen's Hedda Gabler Essay
Ibsen's Hedda Gabler portrays the societal roles of gender and sex through Hedda as a character trying to break the status quo of gender relations
within the Victorian era. The social conditions and principles that Ibsen presents in Hedda Gabler are of crucial importance as they "constitute the
molding and tempering forces which dictate the behavior of all the play's characters" with each character part of a "tightly woven social fabric"
(Kildahl). Hedda is an example of perverted femininity in a depraved society intent on sacrificing to its own self–interest and the freedom and
individual expression of its members. It portrays Nineteenth Century unequal relationship problems between the sexes, with men being the independent
factor and...show more content...
With no focus on Hedda's mother we can imagine that the general did little to prepare his daughter for wifehood or motherhood. Hedda inherited
his pride, coldness, and an authoritative attitude toward others of a lower rank. She lacks compassion for weak and submissive characters like
Thea and Aunt Julia but has admiration for power and freedom, qualities she finds in Brack and LГ¶vborg. Even after marrying Tesman, she keeps
her father's portrait and guns, which signifies her desire for masculine control as well as her personal form of mourning of the power she has lost by
marrying Tesman. This perverse behavior can be attributed greatly to the era in which Hedda lives, because her choices are highly influenced by the
male dominated society. Hedda tears down everyone throughout the play, with LГ¶vborg and Brack as the only exception. After being born to a high
standing family, her expectations of power are high, but due to her biologic form as a woman she is trapped and unable to take control, "because
Hedda has been imprisoned since girlhood by the bars of Victorian propriety, her emotional life has grown turbulent and explosive" (Embler).
However, after succumbing to marriage with Tesman, whom she only marries for money and respect, she loses her place in society as she, as a mere
woman, cannot retain it. This slowly unwinds Hedda and eventually leads her on to her fatal path. By

Hedda Gabler's Character Analysis Essays
Hedda Is Not a Housewife The reflection of women in literature during the late eighteen–hundreds often features a submissive and less complex
character than the usual male counterpart, however Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler features a women who confines herself to the conformities that
women were to endure during that time period but separates herself from other female characters by using her intelligence and overall deviousness to
manipulate the men in her life and take a dominant presence throughout the play. Hedda challenges the normal female identity of the time period by
leaving the stereotype of the "quiet, subservient housewife" through her snide and condescending remarks as well as her overall spoiled aristocratic
demeanor....show more content...
After some light conversation, Hedda is quick to insult Aunt Julia's bonnet. "Hedda: (pointing). Look there! She has left her old bonnet lying
about on a chair.... Just fancy if anyone should come in and see it" (Ibsen pg. 9). The standard for a proper housewife is to be accommodating and
friendly to guests of her home. The husband in this case would more than likely enact some aggression towards his wife who spoke unkindly to a
guest, however Hedda differs herself from the normal housewife this way by disregarding the customs for treating other people in her home. This
also shows the lack of respect towards her own husband, Mr. Tesman, for she treats his own family members with little regard. Hedda displays
little respect towards her husband mainly because he is not able to provide for her enough to maintain the standard of living which she is used to.
Mr. Tesman bought Hedda a brand new home just to woo her yet she is displeased and disinterested in her residence reciting that she only
mentioned she would like to live there due to an awkward night where neither could think of anything to say, so she just decided to comment on a
villa which they happened to be walking by. (Ibsen pg. 31). Hedda makes this comment to judge Brack with whom Mr. Tesman is closely affiliated.
Comments like these are not only an example of Hedda's rudeness but also delve into a much deeper darker aspect of the character of Hedda

Hedda Gabler Essay
Ibsen's Hedda Gabler provides insight into issues inherent to 1890's Norwegian society. Hedda Gabler, released at the culmination of the first wave of
feminism in Norway, has been celebrated for facilitating the societal change achieved by the movement. Whilst the concept of femininity is explored
extensively, other, more subtle, themes are often overlooked because of the historical importance of the text's commentary on women's rights. Namely,
Ibsen criticises how Norwegian society promotes materialistic dependencies and overinflates the value of keeping up appearances. Ibsen, by
emphasising the relationship between wealth and social position, intended to challenge the prevailing materialistic attitude in Norwegian society. The
characterisation of Judge Brack...show more content...
Specifically, the hyperbole "can't thank you enough" epitomises Tesman's submission to Brack, who, because he had loaned money for the purchase of
the house, is considered relatively more powerful. This positions the audience to acknowledge the relationship between power and wealth, a
relationship that is pivotal to understanding Ibsen's holistic critique of Norwegian society. Although not belonging to the rarefied atmosphere of the
upper class, Tesman actively perpetuates their materialistic inclinations. Tesman, believing that he "couldn't possibly ask her (Hedda) to live in some
little suburban house", endeavours to enhance his social status and, consequently, satisfy Hedda. Ibsen constructs Tesman as an allegorical depiction of
the bourgeoisie's desire to appear affluent and of a higher social class. However, Ibsen implies that the underlying intent of this faГ§ade, to impress the
wealthy, is ultimately futile, seen through the character dialogue when Tesman is talking about the couple's

Hedda Gabler Essay
Materialism involves owning things and being in control. Since Hedda cannot control her own life and George is not providing all the things she
wants, her materialistic nature leads her to control other human beings, which seems like an impossible feat. Despite her being a woman, and
almost powerless at the time, Hedda manages to take hold of and control one person in particular: Eilert LГёvborg. This being her greatest act of
evil, Hedda does many things in order to spin LГёvborg out of control and to ruin him. Her manipulative scheme begins with the alcohol. When
LГёvborg comes over to the Tesmans' house, Hedda coaxes him to drink by mentioning that "Otherwise, people might get the idea that you're not
very bold at heart. That you're not really sure of yourself at all" (268). Ironically, LГёvborg is not afraid of being a coward, but Hedda is not done;
she pulls another trick out of her hat by revealing the fact that Thea was worried for him. Finally, this gets LГёvborg to drink the punch to Thea's
health (269). Hedda knew that once she got LГёvborg to drink the punch she...show more content...
Those become small scale when compared to what is really happening. Ibsen's play is considered to be social realism, and rightfully so. He is
trying to get a message across with Hedda about the issues of her life and that of women's lives, in general, during the time period. Hedda is not
just wanting control for herself. She is representing women in their need for equality and desire for independence. The play is meant to be a break
from the conventional past and an introduction to a new era. Hedda's immoral behavior and transgressions only show how desperate the calling for
freedom and self control really is among women. Therefore, her death is an emotional blow to the audience and becomes a call to action. Society's
view of women needs to change in order for the next Hedda to

Hedda Gabler
The play Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen, discusses the journey of the protagonist Hedda Tesman, formerly known as Hedda Gabler, in her
descent to suicide. The story leads her to feel entrapped by a misery that surrounds her life and leads her to feel that death is her only escape. While
a traditional reading of the play is that Hedda is a victim of society, a modern interpretation is that Hedda is much more a victim of herself: her dislike
of motherhood, her self–insecurities and her flirtatious behaviour, with the constrictive time period and setting only accentuating these faults. Overall
Ibsen aims to show the audience the difficulties that face those in society who fail to fit into social roles and expectations, discussing whether...show
more content...
Whilst women of this era were expected to raise children, Hedda demonstrates an inability to sustain such maternal feelings, causing her to view
herself as separated from society. This is illustrated in Ibsen's use of diction in the title, naming the play 'Hedda Gabler' rather than 'Hedda Tesman' to
suggest that Hedda is unable to conform to such traditional customs as taking her husband's name. This is perpetuated through Tesman's constant hints
at pregnancy. In this, it is shown how Tesman believes Hedda to be pregnant, saying how Hedda has "filled out on the journey". Ibsen's use of
metaphor in Tesman's comment emphasises how, at even the suggestion of pregnancy, Hedda becomes derisive, as she replies "Oh, do be quiet– !"
Likewise, Ibsen uses the foil of Miss Tesman to emphasise Hedda's isolation. Miss Tesman is seen to be excited at the suggestion of Hedda's
perceived pregnancy, highlighting the unusual nature of Hedda's displeasure. Her dislike of the prospect of motherhood causes Hedda to experience a
sense of isolation and exclusion from those around her. This societal isolation is presented to the audience through Ibsen's use of physical description.
Mrs. Elvsted's hair, being described as "unusually abundant" becomes symbolic of one's ability to fit into society. She is characterised as "beautiful",
"stupid" and an ideal women of the period. In comparison, Hedda's hair, described as "not particularly abundant", illustrates her inability to conform.
Yet it can be seen that Hedda hopes to conform to society and thus suggesting that her anguish is as a result of her separation from society, a situation
that can be attributed to her character faults, rather than the constraints of society itself. This is demonstrated through Ibsen's use of backstory which
illustrates Hedda's life–long obsession with Mrs. Elvsted's

Hedda Gabler Essay
Hedda Gabler
Hedda Gabler is a more modern tragic figure. Like Job, she has gone through pain and suffering. Just as many of the Greek tragic figures and Job
confront their Gods, Hedda Gabler confronts the controlling forces in her life. She needs control and in order for her to gain control over her life she
commits suicide and does it beautifully to fulfill her romantic quest.
It is implied, though never clearly stated, that Hedda grew up without a female influence. Her father who was a General raised her around guns. She
was socialized to be more violent than lady–like. Hedda, as all women in her time, was restricted by society. She married Tesman because that was
expected of her. She had no way of...show more content...
Thea was satisfied with being Lovborg's secretary and inspiration. Thea had put her whole soul into the manuscript and looked at it as her child.
When Lovborg tells Thea that he has destroyed his life, he also tells her he destroyed the manuscript. Thea looked at it as him killing their child.
Hedda makes a comment about Lovborg being heartless for destroying the manuscript when Thea had put her whole soul into it. It is ironic since she
is going to be the heartless one that destroys the manuscript and Lovborg's life.
Hedda burns the manuscript. She wants to destroy all life and this is Lovborg and Thea's life. This is tragic because Lovborg and
Page 3
Thea suffers the loss of this "child" they had created. Hedda now feels like she is gaining control over something. She influences Lovborg
to commit suicide. Hedda wants things to be beautiful and romantic and asks him to kill himself beautifully. When Hedda finds out that he is dead, she
asks if he shot himself in the temple. Lovborg had shot himself in the bowels, which is the worst place for him to shoot and die beautifully.
Society said women were only good for bringing life into the world and raising it properly. Hedda wanted nothing to do with life and so in the view of
society, she was a waste. Hedda's purpose was to bring life into this world. She denied the idea of being pregnant. She had an inability to create life.
She even went as far as to destroy it. By

Hedda Gabler Essay
From Hedda Gabler, evaluate the character BRACK for the themes of pride, honor, and honesty. Goal (What is sought)Judge Brack helped
Hedda's Husband, George to get a loan to buy the house. Judge is a person who likes to poke his nose in other people's affairs. Motivation (Why it
is sought): When Brack came to visit George after his marriage, he saw Hedda and wanted to have an affair with her in secret. Decision/Action
(How it is sought): He met Hedda when George was not there. And manipulate her to agree with him. "Character" (Experiences and attitudes that
form decisions/actions): Brack is a rich man, and he is in a sense same approach similar as Hedda. He informs her about Eilert Lovborg how he is
competing with George in the same position

Essay Hedda Gabler
TITLE : People may argue that George, Eilert, and Judge Brack are responsible for Hedda's death, but in reality it is the fault of Hedda's society.
I've chosen this statement for several reasons. Ibsen's character, Hedda Gabler, represents the women of the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Hedda
stands the issues of self–worth and the deflated value that each woman places upon her own importance as a result of male dominance.
We can see this in the play, as we read we learn more about the character of Hedda Gabler. She is the daughter of a General who expected a life if
glamour and wealth and rebels against the boredom of a dull, narrow existence by vindictively scheming...show more content...
Hedda is a powerful woman, who on the surface appeared to be confined by a dress, imprisoned in man's house, and smothered by a male–dominated
society. Hedda was a calculating "bitch" who dared (quite shrewdly) to cross over her set in stone "boundaries", manipulate others, and stand back
and watch others lives be destroyed as a result. But when she is backed into a corner by the "new" creative couple (George and Thea) and Judge
Brack, she takes the final power into her own hand. The irony is that the power is her late father's pistol.
In the play, we can also sense how woman felt during the times of patriarchy. Hedda is an extraordinary and very complex character but at the same
time is fairly simple to understand. Her evil doings are somewhat erased from our minds as we justify them, we feel pity towards Hedda because of
the pitiful life she is trapped in, the distorted views on life that Hedda possesses come to a climax toward the end and we understand a bit more
about her character. However, just as we begin to understand her actions and feel pity towards her instead of hate we sadly discover her death at the
end. How tragic is her death when it was the ultimate control of a destiny that she so strongly desired?
The issues of greed have a stronghold in myriad literary pieces, effectively demonstrating the value humanity places upon materialistic commodities.
Money is , indeed,

Hedda Gabler Essay
Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler focuses on the life of a strong willed woman named Hedda Tesman. Act one of Hedda Gabler introduced Hedda's
newlywed husband George Tesman. Hedda Gabler married George after her father, General Gabler passed away and became Hedda Tesman. It could
be possible that Hedda only married George Tesman because she needed security in her life while adjusting to the loss of her father. On the other
hand, Hedda was unsure that a secure and stable life was what she truly desired. Hedda Gabler's upbringing, the death of her father, and the
unhappiness and unsatisfactory life all played a role in the lack of passion she had to genuinely connect with other be people. During Hedda's
adolescent years her life became particularly...show more content...
The photo of General Gabler dominates the set of the play like he dominated Hedda's life. The relationship Hedda had with her father became the
reason Hedda thought herself to be high class and everyone else existed below her. Even though General Gabler raised Hedda to be polished and
well mannered, he also taught Hedda to be strong and authoritative in order to survive the strict rules of an aristocratic Norwegian society. Hedda
learned her father's arrogant military attitude and manipulated people she found weak, like Mrs. Elvsted for instance. Hedda specifically lured Mrs.
Elvsted to visit longer by telling her, "come here, let's sit down together" (792). Hedda faked being kind making it seem that Mrs. Elvsted could trust
her by saying she wanted to "have a real heart–to–heart talk" (792). Even though Hedda manipulated people for the fun of it, she did however admire
those who had power and entitlement like Judge Brack. Hedda's interest in Judge Brack stemmed from his dark complexion, thick facial hair, and
elegant clothing that mimicked the "aristocratic profile" of her father. Hedda Gabler became lonely, bored and distressed after becoming Hedda
Tesman. She found herself torn with the decision to leave the high–class aristocratic lifestyle behind for her new found desire to escape the unfamiliar
middle–class life that she settled with the day Hedda married

Hedda Gabler Essay
Hedda Gabler, played by Rebecca Chanelle Holoptier, marries a history scholar by the name of George Tesman, played by Stephen Cross. Hedda and
George are getting back from a six–month honeymoon. During their six–month honeymoon, George seems to spin the majority of his time in libraries
and doing research for his book, which does not make Hedda very happy because she is not getting the attention that she wants. Thea Elvsted,
played by Maggie Lehman, an old classmate of Hedda's comes to visit her and tell her that George's old academic rival, Eilert Lovborg who was
played by T.J. Pederson, is back in town and also Judge Brack, played by Nathan Shelton, tells them that he has written a highly respectable book. In
the past, Lovborg had been...show more content...
Which lead George and Mrs. Elvsted try to piece together the manuscript and as this is happening Hedda decides to put her life to an end and ending
the play. Throughout the play several character change in one–way or the other. Some of these changes are more prevalent than others. One of the big
changes in the play is Eilert Lovborg. He had to make a big change to get to where he was at the beginning of the play but then he losses everything
again when he drifts back to his days in a alcoholic haze. To me he is the antagonist to Hedda, which in turn is the protagonist. Hedda is a very
bitter woman who wants everything to go her way. She goes through several changes she eventually, in her own way, tells George that she love
him and she make the ultimate change by taking her life. George's change comes about more, as becoming more of a man and realizing there are
other people in his life. The others may have changed but their change was not a main point of the play. One of the actors that I really enjoyed was
T.J. Pederson who played Eilert Loveborg. To me he was very convincing in his role. He makes the change of his character very dramatic. That's
what really stood out to me was when he comes back to Hedda after the night of binging and tells Hedda that his life is over. The other actor that I
enjoyed was Rebecca Chanelle Holoptier who played the lead role, Hedda. She made her character very real by portraying her

Social Control In Hedda Gabler
Henrik Isben's "Hedda Gabler" is a problem play that deals with several social conflicts that a newlywed woman experiences when we arrives back to
her home town from her honeymoon. As the daughter of General Gabler, Hedda Gabler has been born into and grown accustom to being at the top of
her town's social hierarchy. Because of Hedda's social status and undeniable beauty she has the ability to control and manipulate those around her – but
to a certain extent. The time the play was set in, women did not have a lot of freedom to do anything outside of getting married, having children and
attending to the house. Hedda did not fit this mould that was created for women of that time. She was not very maternal individual and reactive
negatively...show more content...
Hedda desperately needs to believe that the expectations of her society do not control ever person who dwells within it. Eilert LГёvborg serves as
living proof to Hedda that a person can live their live the way they choose to without conforming to the norms of society and she is attracted to as
well as secretly envies him for that eminence. Hedda sits at the top of the social ladder she has a long way down if she slips up and falls below
what is socially accepted and expected from her. And for that reason she is deathly afraid of a scandal. Eilert LГёvborg on the other hand, "had the
courage to live life after his own mind" (Ibsen 298). He led a life that was considered less than respectable in the eyes of his community, consisting
of alcohol abuse and scandalous visits to the towns women's boudoirs. Eilert LГёvborg had little self control over his actions once he started
drinking and would go on binges for days at a time. To Hedda, Eilert LГёvborg was daring brave because he was able to do the very thing that she
was very afraid of which was to live life carefree from the judgments of her society. She also enjoyed the power and control she possessed over him.
When Eilert LГёvborg tells her the truth about his manuscript he confesses that Thea Elvsted has inspired him to lead nobler lifestyle: "I've lost all
desire for that [old] kind of lifestyle. I don't want to start it again, not now. It's the courage and daring life–that's what she's broken in me"

Hedda Gabler Research Paper
Freedom, over oneself or from others, is an important theme in Ibsen's Hedda Gabler. Even in her greatest act of rebellion, suicide, Hedda Gabler is
unable to find freedom. Her name means "strife," "struggle," and "refuge from battle." Combined with her last name, "Gabler," Hedda's name is
translated to mean "the strife of an individual." From the beginning, she is doomed to a life of isolation and confinement . Although others are
originally the cause of Hedda's imprisonment, eventually this entrapment evolves into personal incarceration because others have shaped her entire
life around public image. Thus, her only view of the world is one in which social perception is priority. Because of her upbringing, Hedda sees the
world through lenses of social duty and image, and therefore associates the two with confinement. In struggling to break free of her captivity, she sees
her only out as power over others – people own people, and if one is owned the only way to free oneself is to own...show more content...
Since discovering that Brack supposedly has the freedom, or power, that she cannot seem to have, Hedda falls into a downward spiral, coming to
the conclusion that she will never claw her way out of the "confinement" in which she finds herself (need proof or is this already established?).
Hedda finally realizes once and for all that she will never be free as long as Brack has power over her and can tell others that it was with Hedda's pistol
that LГёvborg shot himself. With this crippling knowledge, Hedda realizes that freedom is not possible for her – and Ibsen reveals to the reader that it
is actually her entire definition of freedom that is flawed. Hedda dies in the same way as she lived, in circumstances similar to her childhood: her
death is triggered by suffocation wrought by others. In much the same way that he controlled her early life, in an act of cruel irony even General
Gabler continues to be the catalyst for her death: it is his pistols with which she shoots herself

Hedda Gabler Essay
Ibsen's Hedda Gabler provides insight into issues inherent to 1890's Norwegian society. Hedda Gabler, released at the culmination of the first wave of
feminism in Norway, has been celebrated for facilitating the societal change achieved by the movement. Whilst the concept of femininity is explored
extensively, other, more subtle, themes are often overlooked because of the historical importance of the text's commentary on women's rights. Namely,
Ibsen criticises how Norwegian society promotes materialism and overinflates the value of keeping up appearances. Ibsen, by emphasising the
relationship between wealth and social position, intended to challenge the prevailing materialistic attitude in Norwegian society. The characterisation of
Judge...show more content...
Initially, Ibsen explores this concept through LГ¶vborg's previous notoriety as an alcoholic where "as before, every respectable house will be closed
against Eilert LГ¶vborg". LГ¶vborg's reputation foreshadows his disreputable death, which is epitomised by Hedda "looking up at him [Brack] with
an expression of disgust". This allows Ibsen to demonstrate the indirect loss of the social power of a male character, contrasting with the direct
action–reaction dichotomy shown to be the cause of the other instances of male distress. Examples of this are shown in LГ¶vborg's death and
Tesman's submission to Brack: LГ¶vborg dies as a direct result of the 'loss' of his manuscript, whereas Tesman submits to Brack as a response to his
monetary loan. Reputation remains more ambiguous, shown by LГ¶vborg's ill repute being developed before the play begins. Specifically, Ibsen
proposes that earning respect is a continual and gradual process, which is more valued than instantaneous forms of power. Hedda understands this,
which is why she values social standing so highly and fears scandal. Ibsen expands upon this by incorporating innuendo and double entendre into Brack
and Hedda's dialogue. This manipulation of language allows Hedda to retain her reputation whilst maintaining sexual tension; the former being
impossible with overtly

Research Paper On Hedda Gabler
The Victorian Lady
The reign of Great Britain's Queen Victoria is famous for both scandal, and a desire to fit within the molds of society. These societal expectations
extended far east of the English channel, into Norway, and into the life of Henrik Ibsen and his work. His play, Hedda Gabler, gives a true insight into
the tight social constraints. Because Hedda wanted the curtains closed, the play's true light source was Mrs. Elvsted–or as Hedda demanded to call
her–Thea. Her light was not always a beautiful morning sunrise, it was quite often a dim streetlamp. She took risks that would be simply detestable
during the Victorian era. Thea leaving her husband, then having an open relationship with Eilert Lovborg, would be a social death sentence during that
time. Though she is so scandalous, the reader cannot help but to like her. Ibsen choosing to make his most likable character the one with the life which
most opposes society reveals his opinion on the world he lived in.
In the first scene of Act One where we first meet Mrs. Elvsted, she confides in Hedda that she has done something unimaginable: leave her husband. To
the Victorian woman, the husband was the source of everything, as...show more content...
This may seem like a trivial question today, but hair in Victorian times had serious meaning. The standard hairstyle of the day for a woman was for it
to be up, and it was considered very improper outside of one's own house to have hair be unrestrained. Thea's unique abundant curly blonde hair is
constantly mentioned by Ibsen–even in the stage directions when the she first appears in front of the audience (233). If Thea were to have her hair
down, this would be yet another rebellion against societal expectations. Something about the repeated mention hints to the audience that her hair was
very obviously unique because it was not unrestrained and hidden, but down and a symbol of her opposition to

Hedda Gabler Essay
The mind and mental processes can affect and shape human behavior. Some of the subtlest actions are outcomes of a person's emotion, treatment, and
provide underlying messages unknowingly exhibited and communicated. This occurs internally and is exposed through accidental or unintentional
conduct. Hedda Gabler is an affluent European woman living a life of nobility and service. Pampered and easily neglected by her companions, she is
unfulfilled by the amount of praise she receives in her household. Her strange and awkward behavior reveals the lack of foundation in her marriage. In
Hedda Gabler, Henrik Ibsen uses stage directions to portray Hedda as a furtively vexatious, manipulative, and discontented woman trapped in marriage
and in doing...show more content...
The judicious actions foreshadow disaster. Having no control over their relationship, she maximizes this opportunity of diverting his life. Although she
is conservative, she also tries pushing the boundaries by continually being discontented, as opposed to what is expected of women during that era, and
thus she is a victim of society. Her curiosity towards the outside world is a result of her being trapped indoors and explains her jealousy towards
LГ¶vborg, Thea or anybody who has freedom. Hedda withholds and controls her emotions; nonetheless this gives the audience an impression that she is
mysterious and secretive.
Similarly, she longs to manipulate others due to her lack of independence. Forcing her to stay for a cup of tea, Hedda "drags Mrs. Elvsted almost by
main force towards the archway" (Ibsen). Blatantly rude, she belittles Thea physically and almost sadistically, making the latter feel powerless and
trapped to release her anger and to use this as a replacement for the dissatisfaction in life. Her mind and demeanor is thus an outcome of her past.
Hoping to gain attention to substitute her isolation and emptiness, she automatically responds bitterly. Lacking dominance, she reciprocates physically
for authority over Mrs. Elvsted's fate. When Brack visits, she greets him by "raising and aiming the pistol" (Ibsen 35). Envying his ability to determine
others' destiny as a lawyer, she imagines deciding that of his for a moment. The pistol

Hedda Gabler Essay
Henrik Ibsen's play, Hedda Gabler, introduces a variety of characters that are all inevitably and unknowingly controlled by one ruler: Hedda Gabler
herself. Held in orbit by the intense gravity of Hedda's words and divisive actions, nearly all supporting characters are negatively impacted by being
associated with the seemingly devilish woman. Her husband, George Tesman falls victim to Hedda's allure and wrongfully devotes his time and
prospective money toward pleasing her while Judge Brack, Berta, and Miss Tesman similarly find their attempts to satisfy Hedda to be in vain and are
only met with criticism and sheer acrimony. Furthermore, Mrs. Elvsted is ruined by the death of Eilert LГёvberg, which Hedda herself provoked by
enticing him with...show more content...
Hedda grew up in affluence and august stature thanks to her famous father who was a respected military general, and this social standing attracted both
fear and admiration from her peers. This simultaneous glorification and consternation brought about by "the beautiful Hedda Gabler... [with] so many
admirers" caused everyone around her to do everything they could to please her [Ibsen 225]. Since Hedda Gabler was so diabolically intelligent, she
took full advantage of these devotees and got every possession and confession she could ever hope to obtain by utilizing her masterful control of
language. This control is evident when she swiftly and easily convinces Eilert LГёvberg to kill himself by handing him her prized pistol and requesting
that he "arrange that – [the suicide] is done beautifully" [Ibsen 288]. Through her obsession with the beautiful, her ability to evoke feelings from
people, and her intelligence, her status as a romantic character is produced despite her many shortcomings with morality. This romanticization causes
the reader to look at Hedda through rose–colored glasses and, like many of the characters, admire her by overseeing her worst faults; therefore, when
Hedda's self–induced plight surfaces, the reader feels much more sympathetic toward her than they should (given her callous

Hedda Gabler Essay
Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler focuses on the life of a strong willed woman named Hedda Tesman. Act one of Hedda Gabler introduced Hedda's
newlywed husband George Tesman. Hedda and George married after Hedda's father, General Gabler passed away. It could be possible that Hedda
only married George Tesman because she needed security in her life while adjusting to the loss of her father. On the other hand, was a secure and
stable life, what Hedda really wanted? Hedda Gabler's upbringing, the death of her father, and the unhappiness and dissatisfaction all played a role in
the lack of passion she had to genuinely connect with other be people.
As a young girl Hedda's life had been centered on social statuses and the recognition that one receives...show more content...
Unfortunately, Hedda did not have a mother around and was never taught the domestication of womanhood and wifehood. Instead of learning how
to cook, clean, and run a household Hedda was taught to ride horses and shoot guns. When Tesman broke the news to Hedda that he no longer had
enough money for her to own a horse, she enjoyed shooting her pistols. The two pistols that Hedda inherited from her father was one of the last
few things that left her with a connection to her former life. Hedda used the pistols her father gave her as a release when she was angry. But she
also viewed them as a toy that she used for fun and scared other people with. In Act 2 when Judge Brack arrived at the Tesman's, Hedda began
firing her pistol at him as he walked down the back way to get to the house. As Judge Brack dodged the bullets coming from Hedda's pistol he
questioned Hedda on what exactly she was shooting at. Hedda replied with a nonchalant, "Oh, I just stand here and shoot at the sky" (800). General
Gabler used his pistols to protect his life and most importantly Hedda's. A General's pistols help him to maintain control and authority. And for pistols
with such a powerful meaning to be put in the hands of such a reckless woman, only meant destruction for anyone who came within her range. As if
using people for target practice isn't bad enough Hedda did not stop with the pistols

Hedda Gabler
What makes a play a tragedy? Generally defined, a Greek tragedy is "a drama of a serious and dignified character that typically describes the
development of a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (such as destiny, circumstance or society) and reaches a sorrowful or disastrous
conclusion" (Merriam). The themes of the literary piece revolve around the main character and their actions, reactions, emotions and sufferings. This
main figure is the tragic hero, who also acts as the play's protagonist. Prompted by will and or ignorance, the tragic hero is confronted at the end of the
play with an undeniable fate that results in a sorrowful ending. Although the tragic hero may display characteristics such as integrity,...show more
content...
The Poetics lays out specific requirements that a tragedy must contain, and the play Hedda Gabler can certainly be interpreted so that it fits the
description of a tragedy. At times the reader may feel sympathy towards Hedda. As a child she was raised in a life of comfort and luxury, but in her
new status as Mrs. Tesman, she feels she has become trapped in an unattractive life as a middle–class wife. At other times, however, the reader may
feel absolutely no compassion for Hedda because it is obvious that she is spoiled, and impossibly difficult to please because of her exceedingly
high standards. She is disrespectful and rude to her husband, and basically all others around her. Quite early on, the reader can gain a sense of how
problematic Hedda's relationship truly is with Tesman. We discover that Hedda may be pregnant, but she avidly refuses to even consider the
possibility. When Hedda declares that she has no taste for things that "make a claim on her freedom", it is an implication that she not only wishes to
be free from the burdens of motherhood, but also the constraints of her wifely duties. This revelation of her character may even suggest that her quest
for freedom will end in tragedy.
Hedda is also manipulative, controlling, and she

Essay About Hedda Gabler

More Related Content

Similar to Essay About Hedda Gabler

Recently uploaded

Essay About Hedda Gabler