Hedda Gabler was written in 1980, a time where women were kept in their places, away from economics and politics. A women’s place was at home, and nowhere else. Hedda, the main character of the play becomes the embodiment of this sexist time period. Hedda, all her life had been raised by her father, a privileged man in the Norwegian upper-class, and did not struggle with these orders as much. She had grown up around guns and men her whole life and had never felt mistreated or different. However Hedda learned to use the guns as dangerous and toys. Growing up with men, it is no surprise to see Heddas masculine side. “The room at the Tesmans” – Act Three, “The room at the Tesmans” – Act two, “A spacious, handsome and tastefully appointed reception room” –Act one. Since women at this time were seen to be fragile and below nowhere outside the house, can emphasis on the female oppression in the 19th century and can relate to why Hedda has a desire for a beautiful death. The beauty that she locks makes her crave it. “My intention in giving it this name was to indicate that Hedda as a personality is to be regarded rather as her father’s daughter than her husbands wife” – Henrik Ibsen. Hedda Gabler is called by her father’s name rather than her husbands. Hedda is proud of her true identity as a “Gabler” and actually strongly dislikes her …show more content…
She rejects Loveborg for her reputable husband, Tesman. “Why, of course she is. General Gablers daughter. The way she was used to having things in the Generals time. Do you remember her riding along the road with her father? In that long black habit? And with a feather in her hat?” Act 1 page 168. Hedda has struggled to fit into this society and lives to manipulate and make others miserable. In doing so her aim is to create the life that she wants; to feel and taste power in her blood. After her dreadful marriage to Tesman, Hedda felt like a prisoner. It is interesting to see how the play was all staged at home. Act 1 “ A spacious, handsome, and tastefully appointed reception room, decorated in dark colours.” Act two, “The room at the Tesmans, as in the first Act, except that the piano has been removed and an elegant little writing dest with a book shelf put in its place. Act three, “The room at the Tesmans.” And finally, Act four, “The same room at the Tesmans”. This emphasizes Heddas imprisonment in her home and her lack of freedom which she craves. Naturally, Hedda begins to go insane being stuck at home for so long. She attempts to entertain herself by causing various problems throughout many people in the home. Problems with the