Hedda Gabler Essay, Research Paper

?A strong woman but a trapped woman?

Discuss this view of Hedda Gabler.

Truth exists in the statement that Hedda Gabler is a strong woman and a trapped woman. Hedda is the daughter of a general. She seemed to have the best of everything such as, a good education and a good upbringing. During her youth she has been raised in an aristocratic surrounding. This has taught her to become selfish and self-centered.

She quickly got married to a modest academic named Jorgen, who was completing his doctorate degree. Her decision to marry was without taking facts into consideration. Soon after the wedding Hadda and Jorgen both believe that they will soon settle comfortably into their new upper-class life. After realizing that she may not like what Jorgen can or cannot offer her she has doubts about her marriage and speaks out her frustrations to Judge Brack. She admitted that she has might have made a mistake when she married Jorgen. Judge Brack was surprised at her reaction to her marriage. She also admitted to not adapting to the conventional role as a mother. Her new life might not be what she has expected.

Hedda was the type of woman that had lavish things while growing up. When Judge Brack and Jorgen conversed about the university position available Jorgen knew that he should inform Hedda about the bad news. The information about how the couple should cut-down on certain luxury things will not be in Hedda?s favor. She is not likely to accept any other lifestyle other than a very rich class.

Hedda could not bare the fact that before Jorgen gets the position at the university, they must live a bit tighter concerning their budget. Giving up some luxuries was very difficult for Hedda to accept. Giving up her horse and piano was unheard of.

Her upbringing has trapped her in the sense that she was not willing to accept anything other than the best. Also, society has trapped her into believing that the material things that she possesses determines her success and that people?s thoughts about her means more to her than her own life. Hedda is also very self-centered toward her image. She is reluctant to do any thing that may start a scandal. She feels extremely strong about protecting her reputation.

Hedda?s relationship with Eilert was also very strange. The two had a deep relationship at one point but circumstances tore them apart. Eilert had a bad problem with alcohol at one point. He thought that by meeting his new bride Mrs. Elvsted, he has kicked the problem of alcohol. But, as soon as Hedda starts talking with him he starts to go back to his old ways. Eilert looses his manuscript because of his drinking. Jorgen later finds the manuscript and turns it over to Hedda for safekeeping. Hedda burns the manuscript for Jorgens sake. She thought that Jorgen wont feel inferior to Eilert.

Hedda was also trapped in the sense that if she did something to help Jorgen get the university position she would not have to live that low-classed life that she is so afraid of. Her own sense of greed overpowered her sense of reason. Also, her greed played a vital role toward her death. The reason why she killed herself was because she didn?t want to deal with any controversy or scandal. That was a why she had become a prisoner in her own mind.