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2.
Hedda declares to Thea that she has never had power over anyone: is this
true? What prompts her to make such a statement?
Who has more power over Eilert Lvborg Thea or Hedda and why?
3.
When the play begins, who is in the power seat in the relationship between
Hedda and the Judge? What about when he tries to blackmail her? What about
when Hedda commits suicide? How do the dynamics of their relationship shift
over the course of the play?
4.
Eilert asks Hedda: "Ah, what power was it in you, Hedda, that made me tell
you such things?" Good question.
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
Hedda is a more powerful, manipulative character than Judge Brack.
Judge Brack is a more powerful, manipulative character than Hedda.
1.
2.
3.
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
The three women in Hedda Gabler Mrs. Elvsted, Miss Tesman, and Hedda herself
all come up with different solutions to the "problem" weighing on women in the
Victorian era. Only Heddas solution is successful
Is money the only reason Hedda apparently hates her husband? What is it
about him that irritates her the most?
2.
Hedda claims that she married Tesman because he promised to give her
everything she wanted. Is this really why she tied the knot?
3.
Eilert tells George that he wont compete for the professorship because he
only wants to win in the eyes of the world. Why doesnt he care about money?
What exactly does he care about instead?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
Hedda cares more about power than she does about money.
In Hedda Gabler, playing by societys rules is often more important than human life.
Set in the late 1800s, the characters are constrained by Victorian values, particularly
when it comes to sex. Because so many sexual topics are taboo, many of the
conversations and machinations can be understood only in subtext and innuendos.
The threat of public scandal hangs constantly over the characters heads,
threatening to ruin social status, and therefore lives. At the same time, some
characters find pleasure in rebelling, albeit it secretly.
What are some of the rules that govern Hedda in this play? Which of them is
the most restrictive? Destructive?
2.
Why is it that Hedda is so afraid of scandal? She seems to flaunt her disregard
for Victorian values, at least as far as femininity goes so why does this matter
so much to her?
3.
After he tells Mrs. Elvsted off, Eilert claims that he no longer has any interest
for his former renegade lifestyle, as Thea has killed that part of him. Does he
resent her for this, or is he grateful for the reformation?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
George doesnt really love Hedda; shes just a trophy wife.
2.
Hedda says that Eilert is courageous, both before his death and after she
hears the (false) story of his suicide. What makes him seem courageous to her,
in each instance?
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3.
Aunt Julie claims that she always needs someone to take care of. What does
this say about her character?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
Mrs. Elvsted is the only truly courageous character in Hedda Gabler.
Eilert Lvborg is the only truly courageous character in Hedda Gabler
Between George, Brack, and Eilert, it seems like all the men are drooling over
Hedda. Is this primarily because of her looks, or because of her personality?
2.
3.
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
George Tesman, Eilert Lvborg, and Judge Brack all find Hedda attractive for different
reasons.
If Hedda Gabler teaches one lesson, it is that dreams cannot be relied upon. In this
play, all plans for the future are predicated upon falsities, lies, misunderstandings, or
miscommunication. Whether it be marriage, friendship, babies, professional pursuits,
or economic risk, no thing is a sure thing. The characters continually act based on
these false certainties with regard to the future, and they are repeatedly punished
for doing so.
What "plans" do we see made in Hedda Gabler, and how do they go awry? Are
any plans successfully executed throughout the course of the play?
2.
3.
At what point has Hedda decided with certainty to commit suicide? When she
takes the gun from the writing table? Before that? After?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
Dreams are never fulfilled in Hedda Gabler because every character makes his plans
dependent on someone else.
Eilert, with clenched fists, asks Hedda why she didnt just shoot him back in
the day. Does this mean he isnt happy with his reformed life?
2.
Hedda thinks that drinking again is a mark of courage on Eilerts part. What
does Eilert think? What do YOU think?
3.
Why is it that Heddas taunts about masculinity arent enough to drive Eilert
to drink, yet mistrust on Theas part is?
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Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devils advocate.
Eilert was never actually reformed in the first place.
Eilert is happier as an alcoholic than he is as a reformed man.
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