Restraining Factors in Hedda Gabler
Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler is not truly indicative of his vast body of work:the protagonist is female and the play is a character study. Oddly enough, though, Heddadoes not evolve or progress throughout the entirety of the work. Rather, she remains a cold and manipulative woman. When this fact is realized, the only task is discovering why Hedda continues as a flat character who is restrained from gaining the status of a hero. Truthfully, there are many variables that shape Hedda’s life. Nonetheless,two factors in particular stand out—her father, General Gabler, and the repressive, masculine society of the era. Although Ibsen does not directly address these issues,he succeeds in conveying their critical significance. A common underlying theme in Ibsen’s work is the linking of death and music. And, as one might have deduced, this premise is employed in Hedda Gabler.Moreover, the ever-present piano, belonging to the late General Gabler, symbolizesHedda’s past freedom, prior to marrying George Tesman, as the “Ge
Hedda, constantly aware of scandal, responds in a predictable manner: “But what do you think people will say of you, Thea?” (1). However, literature is not founded on speculation and guess work, it is based on visible feelings, emotions, and actions. “Introduction to Hedda Gabler and Other Plays. Once again, Hedda’s fear of society’s ideals for women forces her to compromise her thoughts and desires, thereby causing her to feel jealous and trapped. Despite the fact that Eilert is the only person who can evoke true passion in her, Hedda feels the need to destroy him, purely for the purpose of “[having] the power to mould ahuman destiny” (Ibsen 2). The mere possibility of Hedda being raised as a male is sufficient evidence to explain her underlying disdain at being a woman—unable to express herself as a man would. “It [Hedda’s mind] has merely gone round andround the cage she has built for herself, looking for a way to escape” (Ellis-Fermor 43). ”A more obvious example of General Gabler’s influence over Hedda is the large portrait of him that dominates the “inner” room. Needless to say, the Victorian era of literature and society did not offer a profusion of opportunities for young women. This fact is made abundantly clear in Hedda Gabler. Instead, Hedda simply “contents herself with negative behavior instead of constructive action” (Linnea 91). New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 1985.
Common topics in this essay:
George Tesman,
Oddly Hedda,
Tesman” Throughout,
Despite Eilert,
Lovborg Hedda,
Gabler Despite,
Instead Hedda,
Hedda Gabler,
Hedda Hedda,
Ibsen Act,
hedda gabler,
eilert lovborg,
hedda raised,
“hedda gabler”,
henrik ibsen’s,
father gabler,
george tesman,
act courage,
influence hedda,
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Acceptance Essays
