In Heda Gabler and A Doll’s House, both female protagonists are in very similar, yet also differing situations in their lives and relationships with the people in them. Heda Gabler and Nora exemplify two different women living in different places but who find themselves in similar, repressed situations given the time periods of the plays and the roles of females in society. Though their situations are comparable in terms of their expectations and longings in their lives, the two women have very different ends. Character relationships and points of plot intermingle in the plays, as both are written by Henrik Ibsen, but the women chose different paths at the end of the plays. Both women long for something great, for fulfillment of
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Heda however is suppressed in terms of emotion and leaches onto people who she can control or manipulate, only associating herself with people she can use. Throughout the play, she seems to care only about material things like her pistols and piano, unconcerned about anything real or about anyone’s feelings. This materialistic side of Heda’s character is quite opposite to Nora and is illustrated in Act 2 when she confesses to Judge Brack that she only married George because of his money and status, not because she loved him. Both Nora and Heda exist in parallel situations where neither is happy in their marriage, and find life boring and dull. Where Nora turns to day dreaming and talking to herself as a way to release her boredom and suppressed thoughts, Heda seems incapable of even small pleasures. Heda is so overcome with jealousy over Thea and Lovborg’s relationship, that she destroys their manuscript- acting impulsively and cruelly. When Loveborg tells Heda that he plans to kill himself, Heda gives him one of her pistols and tells him to commit suicide beautifully. Heda’s manipulations and controlling character slowly break down towards the end of the play, particularly after she finds herself in a scandal because of the pistol Loveborg used to kill himself. Judge Brack says he will protect her only is she gives herself to him, so Heda shoots herself. Heda is so unfulfilled and unhappy that she doesn’t know what other choice she has but to take her life, a way to remain in control of her own life (or at least feel like this power and control she’s constantly seeking is in her
Heda however is suppressed in terms of emotion and leaches onto people who she can control or manipulate, only associating herself with people she can use. Throughout the play, she seems to care only about material things like her pistols and piano, unconcerned about anything real or about anyone’s feelings. This materialistic side of Heda’s character is quite opposite to Nora and is illustrated in Act 2 when she confesses to Judge Brack that she only married George because of his money and status, not because she loved him. Both Nora and Heda exist in parallel situations where neither is happy in their marriage, and find life boring and dull. Where Nora turns to day dreaming and talking to herself as a way to release her boredom and suppressed thoughts, Heda seems incapable of even small pleasures. Heda is so overcome with jealousy over Thea and Lovborg’s relationship, that she destroys their manuscript- acting impulsively and cruelly. When Loveborg tells Heda that he plans to kill himself, Heda gives him one of her pistols and tells him to commit suicide beautifully. Heda’s manipulations and controlling character slowly break down towards the end of the play, particularly after she finds herself in a scandal because of the pistol Loveborg used to kill himself. Judge Brack says he will protect her only is she gives herself to him, so Heda shoots herself. Heda is so unfulfilled and unhappy that she doesn’t know what other choice she has but to take her life, a way to remain in control of her own life (or at least feel like this power and control she’s constantly seeking is in her