Social Issues in Hedda Gabler Essay -- Hedda Gabler Essays

Social Issues in Hedda Gabler It has been suggested that Hedda Gabler is a drama about the individual psyche -- a mere instance study. It has even been written that Hedda Gabler presents no amicable theme (Shipley 333). On the contrary, I have found affectionate issues and themes abundant in this work. The theatrical role of Hedda Gabler centers well-nigh society and tender issues. Her high social rank is indicated from the beginning, as unload Tesman says of Hedda, General Gablers daughter. What a life she had in the generals day (Ibsen 672). Upon Heddas first appearance, she makes some snobbish remarks. First, she turns up her nose at Georges special handmade slippers. subsequent she insults Aunt Julies new hat, pretending to mistake it for the maids. Hedda seems to abhor everything about George Tesman and his middle class existence. She demands much more(prenominal) class than he has been able to provide her, for she was the beautiful, magical daughter of General Gabler and deserved nonhing but the finest. As the character of Hedda Gabler develops, the ratifier learns that she has totally married George Tesman because her fathers passing away left her no significant financial resources, nothing but a respectable heritage. She tells Brack of her termination to marry Tesman I re whollyy had danced myself out, enunciate. My cadence was up. ... And George Tesman -- he is after all a thoroughly acceptable choice. ... Theres every chance that in time he could still make a name for himself. ...It was certainly more than my other admirers were willing to do for me, Judge. (Ibsen 684). Hedda needed someone to support her financially, and George Tesman was the only decent man to propose to her. She was forced to cross beneath her social class and marry this commoner in the hopes that he would make a name for himself as a professor. As for love everlasting, Hedda disgustedly comments to Judge Brack, Ugh -- dont use that syrupy word Rather than having b ecome a joyful newlywed who has found true love, Hedda is trapped in a pairing of convenience (Shipley 445). Hedda was raised a lady of the upper class, and as such she regards her beauty with high esteem. This is, in part, the reason she vehemently denies the pregnancy for so long. A pregnancy will force her to gain weight and dawdle her lovely womanly figure. Hedda has grown accustomed to her many admirers therefore, Hedda is ... ...Lastly, the tile itself represents the social theme of the drama. In using the name Hedda Gabler, despite her marriage to George Tesman, Ibsen has conveyed to the reader the importance of social class. Hedda prefers to identify herself as the daughter of General Gabler, not the wife of George Tesman. Throughout the play she rejects Tesman and his middle class lifestyles, clinging to the honorable away with which her father provided her. This identity as the daughter of the noble General Gabler is potently implied in the title, Hedda Gabler. In c onsidering the many implications of the social issues as explained above, it can not be denied that the very theme of Hedda Gabler centers on social issues. Hedda Gabler is ...indirectly a social parable (Setterquist 166). Works Cited 1. Ibsen, Henrik. Hedda Gabler. The Bedford Introduction to Drama. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 3rd ed. Boston Bedford Books, 1996. 672-709. 2. Setterquist, Jan. Ibsen and the Beginnings of Anglo-Irish Drama. upstart York Gordian Press, 1974. 46 - 49, 58 - 59, 82 - 93, 154 - 166. 3. Shipley, Joseph T. The Crown Guide to the Worlds outstanding Plays. New York Crown Publishers, Inc., 1984. 332 - 333.