Oppression in Ibsens Hedda Gabler Essay -- Hedda Gabler Essays

Oppression in Ibsens Hedda GablerOne of the social issues dealt with in Ibsens problem plays is the oppression of women by conventions limiting them to a domesticated life. In Hedda Gabler the heroine struggles to satisfy her ambitious and independent intellect in spite of appearance the narrow social occasion society allows her. Unable to be creative in the way she desires, Heddas passions constitute destructive both to others and herself. Raised by a general (Ibsen 1444), Hedda has the fiber of a leader and is wholly unsuited to the role of suburban woman of the house (1461). Since she is unable to have the authority she craves, she exercises government agency by manipulating her husband George. She tells Thea, I want the power to shape a mans destiny (1483). Heddas unsuitability for her domestic role is also shown by her impatience and evasiveness at both reference to her pregnancy. She confides to Judge Brack, Ive no leanings in that direction (1471). Hedda desires intell ectual creativity, non just the procreative power that binds her to a limited social function. still because her only means of exercising power is through a naif husband (1490), Hedda envies Theas rich intellectual partnership with Eilert Loevborg (1484), which produces as their creative fry a bold treatise on the future of society (1473-74, 1494). Heddas rivalry with Thea for power over Eilert is a conflict between Heddas dominating intellect (symbolized by her pistols) and the traditionally feminine power of beauty and love (symbolized by Theas large hair). Because Hedda lacks Theas courage to leave her husband and risk ostracism, she tries to satisfy her intellect in spite of appearance societys constraints. First she seeks power through wealth and social status, marrying George on the condi... ...da bows to Theas graceful hair and, after playing a last dance on the piano, admits defeat Not free. Still not free . . . From now on Ill be quiet (1506-07). Heddas tragedy is that she is denied the freedom to realize her creative potential, and so have the self-esteem that comes from personal achievement. Her attempt to retain her independence within society pr flatts her, through fear of scandal, from marrying the man with whom she might have had a relationship both individually satisfying and mutually supportive. In Heddas self-destruction are seen the stifling of intellect and the emotional isolation caused by oppression, even within a commonplace bourgeois family where People dont do much(prenominal) things (1507). Work Cited Ibsen, Henrik. Hedda Gabler. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Trans. Michael Meyer. Third Edition. New York Norton, 1981. 1443-1507.