In this presentation, the writer tries to analyze and also to depict the feminist character as a dominant character than the male articulated in Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.

1. FEMINIST CHARACTER IN HENRIK
IBSEN’S HEDDA GABLER
By Yolanda Ayu Belia
13020114120003

2. Abstract
In this paper, the writer tries to analyze
Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The purpose of
this paper is to depict the feminist character as a
dominant character than the male articulated in
Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. This paper also aims to
discuss that Hedda is not suitable for the role
maternal in this play. The research uses textual,
hypertextual, and cybertextual. And also the
writer uses close reading methods.
Keywords : Hedda gabler, Feminist, Dominant,
Role

3. 1. Introduction
Hedda Garbler depict the portraying feminist
eccentric and realistically indigent of the feminist
attributes that women normally have. Ibsen the
illustrious feminist dramatist has flopped to manage
her into a real feminist personality, and still she is no
respect competent of being call up a woman.
2. Methodology
a. To analyze the character of Hedda.
b. To analyze the feminist character of Hedda.

4. 3. Research Object
Research objective are the result sought by the
researcher at the end of the research process, i.e. what the
reseacher will be able to achieve at the end of the research
study.
4. Biography
Henrik Ibsen was born on March 20, 1828, in Skien,
Norway. In 1862, he was exiled to Italy, where he wrote the
tragedy Brand. In 1868, Ibsen moved to Germany, where he
wrote one of his most famous works: the play A Doll's House. In
1890, he wrote Hedda Gabler, creating one of theater's most
notorious characters. By 1891, Ibsen had returned to Norway a
literary hero. He died on May 23, 1906, in Oslo, Norway.

5. 5. Discussion
a. Major Character
1. Hedda Gabler - Hedda is the daughter of the
famous General Gabler; as a child she was used
to luxury and high-class living. As the play begins,
she is returning from her honeymoon with
Jürgen Tesman, a scholar with good prospects
but not as much money as Hedda is accustomed
to. Her married name is Hedda Tesman. Hedda is
an intelligent, unpredictable, and somewhat
dishonest young woman who is not afraid to
manipulate her husband and friends.

6. 2. George Tesman - Tesman is an amiable, intelligent
young scholar. He tries very hard to please his young
wife, Hedda, and often does not realize that she is
manipulating him. In fact, he often seems foolish for his
age, and when he annoys Hedda, the audience has
reason to sympathize with her. Tesman is hoping for a
professorship in history, and at the beginning of the
play it seems that his one great rival, Ejlert Lövborg, a
notorious alcoholic, no longer stands in Tesman's way.
Tesman was raised by his Aunt Julle.

7. 3. Juliane Tesman - Juliane Tesman, or Aunt
Julle, is the aunt of Jürgen Tesman. After
Tesman's parents died, Aunt Julle raised him.
She is well-meaning, and she is constantly
hinting that Tesman and Hedda should have a
baby. Aunt Julle tries to get along with Hedda,
but the difference in their class backgrounds is
painfully apparent. Aunt Julle lives with the
ailing Aunt Rina, another aunt of Tesman's.

8. 4. Judge Brack - Brack is a judge of relatively
inferior rank. He is a friend of both Tesman* and
Hedda, and he visits their house regularly. He
has connections around the city, and is often the
first to give Tesman information about
alterations in the possibility of his professorship.
He seems to enjoy meddling in other people's
affairs. He is a worldly and cynical man.

9. 5. Ejlert Lövborg - A genius, Ejlert Lövoborg is
Tesman* biggest competitor in the academic
world. After a series of scandals related to
drinking, he was once a public outcast but has
now returned to the city and has published a
book to rave reviews. He also has another
manuscript that is even more promising. Mrs.
Elvsted helped him with both manuscripts. He
once shared a close relationship with Hedda.

10. 6. Mrs. Elvsted - Mrs. Elvsted is a meek but passionate woman.
She and her husband hired Ejlert Lövborg as a tutor to their
children, and Mrs. Elvsted grew attached to Ejlert, acting as his
personal secretary and aiding him in his research and writing.
When Ejlert leaves her estate to return to the city, Mrs. Elvsted
comes to town and goes to Tesman* for help, fearing Ejlert will
revert to his alcoholism. Mrs. Elvsted went to school with Hedda
and remembers being tormented by her.
7. Berta - Berta is George and Hedda Tesman's servant.
Formerly, she was the servant in Juliane Tesman's household.
She tries very hard to please Hedda, her new mistress, but
Hedda is quite dissatisfied with her.

11. b. Feminist Character
Hedda Gabler was written in the Victorian era, when
women had to play the role of the perfect housewife. They were
simply displayed for their looks and to make the men look good.
The women had few rights at all. This play displays a few
rebellious women fighting for a better life. Henrik Ibsen shows
themes of manipulation, obsession, and a feminist agenda
throughout his play Hedda Gabler. These themes are mainly
demonstrated throughout the women in this story.
One of the main characters, Hedda Gabler, has an evil
spirit inside of her, she is constantly manipulating people. She
comes from a luxurious and high-class life. She is intelligent,
clever, and also sneaky. Even though she has many good
qualities, she is somewhat dishonest. One cannot be honest and
trust-worthy while lying to their friends and family. To start, she
tricks her husband into buying the house that she lied about
wanting.

12. She puts up a front of showing that she loves him, knowing she
only got married because she is getting old. Now, women in this
time were talked down to, they were expected to not do or say
anything. Their job was to look pretty and talk with class. Hedda
is not the type of female to play the ordinary female role. She
even says she is bored; ". . . oh dear judge, I’ve been so
desperately bored" (Ibsen 1430). Hedda is bored with living the
life of an ordinary female to the point of finding manipulating
people fun and game. She manipulates Eilert to start drinking
again without him even knowing. She tricks her husband, by
taking Eilert’s manuscript because Tesman was distracted about
his dying aunt. And the cruelest and sickest one is when she
attempts to trick her friend into killing himself and actually
enjoys his death by telling him to make it beautiful. One can say
her mind is twisted and evil. Another can say she is just
misunderstood. But one thing is for sure, her death was
"beautiful".

13. 6. Conclusion
Hedda Gabler is a story of many faces. It displays the
strong rebellious women of the Victorian Era, the
absolute power of manipulation, and also, the crazed
control of obsession. This shows the many struggles
that women went through and conquered over the
Victorian Era. Hedda Gabler will always be known as a
defiant one.

14. THANK YOU