In Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, as the name suggests is about an eccentric, abet cruel woman named Hedda Tesman. At first glance, the story Hedda Gabler, is a medieval soap opera. However, if you read between the lines there is much more than meets the eye. The nineteenth century had high standards for females, it was expected for women to be respectable old maids like George’s Aunt or meek housewives like Mrs. Elvsted, and Hedda’s personality is one of unsuitableness to the time. Stating that the question arises, is Hedda Gabler truly an evil being or is she just a typical, restricted woman?
To be a woman in the 19th century had to be extremely difficult, especially for a woman like Hedda. The women had to be submissive, approachable, and …show more content…
Elvsted has the power over the men in Hedda’s life, which is something Hedda herself lacks. One of Hedda’s main personality traits is her power hungry attitude. She wants to have the power to influence everyone around her. The thought that someone else can do it better, horrifies her. Therefore, this could easily explain why Hedda disliked Mrs. Elvsted so much. Thea has history with both Hedda’s husband and currently with her former lover, Lovborg. In the book, Lovborg verifies that Thea has inspired him so much that she was his co-author of the manuscript. Next, Tesman said that Ejlert has never written anything so wonderful before. Hearing this information sent Hedda over the edge of dislike into …show more content…
Hedda appreciated him when he was an alcoholic and his life was muddled. She admired him because he was the person she wanted to be. Ejlert was a man who wasn’t a straitlaced upper classman who cared about how society viewed him. Conversely, Thea liked him as a rehabilitated man. Ejlert was one who was esteemed throughout society now. He was known as a writer and a teacher to children. These mannerism accepted throughout high society. On the surface it may seem like this is a catfight over a man. However, in the text, they state they are fighting over control of the man Ejlert becomes not because they love him. Hence, this is a fight over supremacy not love like it at first appears.
There were other aspects that factored in Hedda’s hatred, an example was Thea’s loveliness. Hedda showed multiple times how obsessed she was with Mrs. Elvsted’s hair. Hedda refers in Act I to Thea’s "irritating hair that she was always showing off." Mrs. Elvsted’s hair was described as "remarkably light, almost a white-gold, and unusually abundant and wavy." Now, compare this to the description of Hedda’s hair, which is "an agreeable brown" and "not particularly abundant." Additionally, she used to burn Mrs. Elvsted’s hair off when they were children in school. Further proof that Hedda was
To be a woman in the 19th century had to be extremely difficult, especially for a woman like Hedda. The women had to be submissive, approachable, and …show more content…
Elvsted has the power over the men in Hedda’s life, which is something Hedda herself lacks. One of Hedda’s main personality traits is her power hungry attitude. She wants to have the power to influence everyone around her. The thought that someone else can do it better, horrifies her. Therefore, this could easily explain why Hedda disliked Mrs. Elvsted so much. Thea has history with both Hedda’s husband and currently with her former lover, Lovborg. In the book, Lovborg verifies that Thea has inspired him so much that she was his co-author of the manuscript. Next, Tesman said that Ejlert has never written anything so wonderful before. Hearing this information sent Hedda over the edge of dislike into …show more content…
Hedda appreciated him when he was an alcoholic and his life was muddled. She admired him because he was the person she wanted to be. Ejlert was a man who wasn’t a straitlaced upper classman who cared about how society viewed him. Conversely, Thea liked him as a rehabilitated man. Ejlert was one who was esteemed throughout society now. He was known as a writer and a teacher to children. These mannerism accepted throughout high society. On the surface it may seem like this is a catfight over a man. However, in the text, they state they are fighting over control of the man Ejlert becomes not because they love him. Hence, this is a fight over supremacy not love like it at first appears.
There were other aspects that factored in Hedda’s hatred, an example was Thea’s loveliness. Hedda showed multiple times how obsessed she was with Mrs. Elvsted’s hair. Hedda refers in Act I to Thea’s "irritating hair that she was always showing off." Mrs. Elvsted’s hair was described as "remarkably light, almost a white-gold, and unusually abundant and wavy." Now, compare this to the description of Hedda’s hair, which is "an agreeable brown" and "not particularly abundant." Additionally, she used to burn Mrs. Elvsted’s hair off when they were children in school. Further proof that Hedda was