Introduction
Hedda Gabler, a well-known play by Henrik Ibsen, is a play that realistically highlights the social issues of its time. It is a well-known fact that it was Ibsen who kick-started the movement of Modern Drama. The chief feature of Modern Drama was a realistic portrayal of the social issues instead of romanticizing or glorifying something. Hedda Gabler highlights the social issues of the confinement of women, freedom of men to do anything and the aftermath of confinement.
Confinement of Women
In the Victorian Era, the role of women was only determined to be chaste and to be married. But as French Revolution began to influence many people, the sense of freedom was given more importance. The idea of the freedom of women was so modern at that time that many people turned against it. In Hedda Gabler, the play, the confinement of women is shown through Hedda Gabler. Just like any other Victorian woman, Hedda Gabler is afraid of her society. From the text, it is obvious that Hedda wanted to lead an independent life after the death of her father but,
I'd danced myself out. That was all. My time was up.
Hedda wanted to see herself as a horse rider or politician. But crippled by the cries of her society, she pursued marriage.
Freedom of Men
Another issue that this play presents is rather contrasted with the confinement of women. Man of the Victorian Era has all the freedom to do whatever he likes to. Apart from the freedom, man is considered as a guardian of the chastity of woman. The social issue related to the freedom of man is the exploitation of that freedom by pursuing negative actions. Men in Hedda Gabler are presented in not a good light. George Tesman, though he purchases a new home for Hedda, still does not offer her the company she needs despite the six-month long honeymoon. But the knavish person out of the bunch is Judge Brack. He is not hesitant to ruin the life of a married lady only for a triangular yet sexual relationship.
The Aftermath of the Confinement of Women
The character of Hedda Gabler is a prime example to showcase the aftermath of such a confinement. Being a daughter of a general and upon seeing the injustice in the form of the monopolistic freedom of men, she is ambitious to change "a man's destiny". In the play, Hedda desperately tries to mould Loevborg after Thea successfully moulds him to his redemption. Hedda does this because she "is bored to death". In Hedda's attempts in making Loevborg "free again", Hedda falls a prey to Brack's blackmailing. Upon losing her own domestic freedom, Hedda thinks no other than suicide to reclaim her freedom and to let people like Judge Brack know that "people can perhaps have the ability to do such things".
Conclusion
Hedda Gabler, The Play appropriately highlights the hypocritical as well as monopolistic freedom of men as well as the unjust confinement of women which is the core reason behind the negative aftermath as is shown through the character of Hedda Gabler.
Sources and Suggested Readings
- Lectures of Sir Hassam Akbar
- This article was written on the basis of my own understanding of this play. If some contextual errors are found, kindly comment below.
