Hedda Gabbler Quotes

Herink Ibsen is one of Norways greatest playwrights. Hes referred to as the father of realism  which is the theatrical practice of making shows seem more life everyday life. Ibsen had a great talent for portraying the drama inherent in seemingly everyday lives. Many of his plays dealt with issues of morality which made them quite scandalous  at the time they were written. Ibsen was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature three years in a row.   Feminism in Ibsens Plays Ibsen is probably best known for him feminist play  A Dolls House  but feminist themes occur in much of his work. At the time female characters were generally written as side characters of little importance. When they did play major roles they rarely dealt with the difficulties of being a woman in a society that allowed them very few opportunities or choices. Hedda Gabler is one of Ibsens more  memorable heroines for that reason. The play is a brilliant portrayal of female neurosis. Heddas choices in the play  dont seem to make sense until one considers how little control she has over her own life. Hedda is desperate to have power over something, even if it is another persons life. Even the title of the show can be given a feminist  interpretation. Heddas last name in the show is  Tesman, but by naming the show after Heddas maiden name it implies she is more her own woman than the other characters realize.   Summary of Hedda Gabler   Hedda Tesman and her husband George have returned from a long honeymoon. In their new home, Hedda finds herself bored with her options and company. Upon their arrival, George realizes his academic rival  Eilert as begun working on a manuscript again. George doesnt realize that his wife and former rivals are former lovers. The manuscript could put Georges future position in jeopardy and would secure Eilerts future. After a night out, George finds Eilerts manuscript which hes lost while drinking. Hedda rather than tell Eilert that the manuscript has been found convinces him to kill himself. After learning his suicide was not the clean death she imagined she takes her own life. Quotes From Hedda Gabler These impulses come over me all of a sudden, and I just cant resist them. - Hedda, Act 2Our common lust for life. - Là ¶vborg, Act 2Oh courage...oh yes! If only one had that...Then life might be livable, in spite of everything. - Hedda, Act 2But hell come...With vine leaves in his hair. Flushed and confident. - Hedda, Act 2Everything I touch seems destined to turn into something mean and farcical. - Hedda, Act 4But, good God! People dont do such things. - Hedda, Act 4