I thought Hedda Gabler was a very interesting play. I would like to analyze the character Hedda in order to understand her better.
Hedda Gabler is the General’s daughter. She is accustomed to the luxuries in life and she expects to get everything that she wants. She marries George Tesman because, “It was more than my other admirers were prepared to do, Judge dear.” (1484) Although it does not come right out and say it, Hedda was a very promiscuous woman. It is made very clear that she had an affair with Judge Brack before she got married. “What fun to be able to see you by daylight for once, Judge.” (1478) I also believe that she slept with Loevborg as well. There was a difference between the two men though. Hedda loved Loevborg, or at least Loevborg loved Hedda. “Something stands between Eilert Loevborg and me. The shadow of another woman.” (1477) I think Hedda pushed Loevborg away because her father would never approve. I also believe that she burned the manuscript because she was jealous of Mrs. Elvsted and Loevborg’s relationship. (She was also jealous of Mrs. Elvsted’s hair.)
I can respect Hedda for not cheating on Tesman when Brack gave her an entryway. I think that gives her some honor. I do think it was wrong of her to marry Tesman just to marry someone. I know the times were different, but marrying to avoid being an old maid is cruel to a man. I don’t think she made Tesman buy the house with cruel intentions. “Well, to help him out of his misery, I happened to say quite frivolously how much I’d love to live in this house.” (1486) She was just trying to make up conversation; it wasn’t malicious.
I feel a little bad for Hedda. The time period in which she lived was tough for women. First, she was under the control of her father. She thinks that she finally broke free by marrying the pushover Tesman, but circumstances give Brack power over her. She was so hopeless that she can’t see any other escape other than death. How sad.
I see someone has commented about my favorite reading this semester. Hedda was a spoiled individual, which continued after her father to her marriage with Tesman. As I stated the power she had over everyone in the story was incredible. Loveborg, Tesman, Jude Brack, even the women in the story especially Mrs. Elvsted which began in the earlier years when “ Whenever Hedda met her on the staircase she would pull her hair. “ (Ibsen 1475) Mrs. Elvsted I believed had the heart of the one man she ever in love with. Which I agree is the reason she burned the manuscripts so it would be the beginning of the end of their relationship.
ReplyDeleteI think Hedda's thirst for control over everyone around her probably stemmed from her father. General Gabler's portrait is a prominent feature in the set.His social status and values are implicit in his uniform because generals in Norwegian society are members of the aristocracy. Hedda's relationship to her father is a significant factor in the way Heda regards herself and the way others characters regard her. She feels like she has lost that power that she craves so dearly when Judge Brack reveals that he has the ability to make her problems go away if he says nothing. “Hedda What will they do with the pistol? Brack Try to trace the owner. Hedda Do you think they'll succeed? Brack No, Hedda Gabler. Not as long as I hold my tongue” ( Ibsen 1517). Hedda then goes on to say “In other words, I’m in your power, Judge. From now on, you’ve got your hold over me” (Ibsen 1517).
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