Character - Hedda Gabler

Question 1

Creative overview for Hedda

Answer 1

• She is held back by the restricted role of females in a patriarchal society and feels stifled and trapped in an unhappy marriage based on the premise of financial stability
• Craves power and the ability to control her life, giving her a cold, manipulative exterior.
• Once living with aristocratic freedom she is now tied to the role of either a wife or a mother with the uninteresting Tesman and manipulated by an inappropriate relationship.
• Desperation to remain in control within these confinements eventually drives her to suicide, leaving her a victim of society.

Question 2

Potential context for Hedda

Answer 2

• Patriarchal society dominating Norway
• Restrictions placed on upper bourgeoise women ; they were to be a wife or a mother
• Social expectations and social mores
• Freedom of being a General’s daughter
• Financial stability of a professorship
• Ibsen’s interest in feminism and is utilisation of the play to criticise their role

Question 3

Potential audience response

Answer 3

• Antipathy and disgust towards her cold/manipulative side
• Sympathy for her feelings of claustrophobia within the bounds of her social class and gender role towards the end of the play

Question 4

Sections of the play

Answer 4

Towards the end of act 1 - manipulating Mrs Elvsted

Towards the end of the play - Hedda’s realisation of her entrapment

Question 5

Significant symbolism to remember

Answer 5

• The use of the French windows as a symbol of freedom
• The use of the stove
• Her dislike of fire
• Thea’s hair representing all that Hedda isn’t.

Question 6

How would Hedda’s costume be designed?

Answer 6

• In adherence to women from an 1890’s society
• Elaborate, tightly fitting dress with a long, bell-shaped skirt gathered at the waist and a tight corset defining an hourglass figure.
• Long, puffy ‘gigot’ sleeves
• Sophisticated, tight bun (potentially highlighting her lack of hair)
• Made from silk and velvet
• Dark purple with gold embellishments
• High collar that would frustrate her
• Dress would cover her, enveloping her in material