Character - Thea Elvsted

Question 1

Creative overview for Elvsted

Answer 1

Mrs Elvsted plays a crucial role not only in Hedda Gabler, but in the play’s protagonsit’s life. Contrary to Hedda, Mrs Elvsted adheres to the very image of a Victorian housewife in Norway at the time, devoting her life to being a caring partner and displaying nurturing characteristics not dissimilar to that of a mother - despite facing repression and challenged with the inability to have her own children, she fills this void with Eilert Loevborg and finds the courage to break away from social conventions and leave her old life to become the woman in Eilert’s life. This freedom sparks great jealousy from Hedda, who grows to despise her and because of this she goes about scaring the sweet and innocent Elvsted and trying to manipulate both Elvsed and Loevborg out of their relationship.

Question 2

Potential context

Answer 2

• > The patriarchal society that dominated Norway at the time
• > The restrictions placed on upper bourgeoise women; they were to be either a wife or a mother
• > The social expectations at the time; adherence to the social mores of the time - it was frowned upon severely to leave your husband

Question 3

Possible audience response

Answer 3

• > Empathise with her happiness with Eilert - especially having seen Hedda’s unhappiness in her relationship, I would want the audience to feel the joy Elvsted does about being able to leave her old relationship for a happier one (1800s audience feel shocked??
• > Sympathise with her fear and anxiousness around Hedda as her relationship is manipulated and controlled by Hedda - she is one of her victims

Question 4

Sections of the play that are good to use for Elvsted

Answer 4

• Towards the end of Act 1: Thea talking about her relationship with Eilert, page 20/24
• End of Act 2: Hedda ruining the trust between Thea and Eilert, page 62/64
• End of Act 3: End of the relationship between Loevborg and Thea, page 80/82

Question 5

Costume design for Thea:

Answer 5

From a lower class than Hedda, Thea would be dressed in clothes slightly behind the current trend in the 1800s so instead of a tight corset, she would be dressed in a looser-fitting, plain formal dress. It would still have the long, straight silhouette shape and have a tight corset with long sleeves as appropriate for the period but there would be a clear contrast between the plain, straightforward nature of Thea’s clothes compared to Hedda’s. 
Thea’s costume should reflect Thea’s domestic, conservative nature in comparison to the flamboyance of Hedda’s costume - she may wear a tailored jacket and a rather more flat skirt to emphasise the practicality of her disposition.
Thea’s costume would be a subdued dark blue, a paler and less extravagant colour to highlight the class differences.
Thea’s hair would be tightly curled but left down - highlighting one of the key reasons for Hedda’s jealousy of her.
Thea would also wear white gloves - they are both from bourgeoisie society.