Reading Notes W11: Ibsen, Part B

Henrik Ibsen, “Hedda Gabler” (781-800)

Henrik Ibsen:

·         1828-1906

·         He wrote in an era that drama was considered a second-rate occupation

·         Spoke Norwegian, born in Norway

·         Well-made play (standard dramatic form at the time)-complicated plots and well-timed confrontations; Fast-moving action, intrigues, alliances, sudden revelations.

·         He later turned against standard forms like the well-made play and began to focus on works such as dramatic poems=plays that were meant to be read and not performed.

·         Produced Realism to the theater

·         Ibsen’s definition of Realism: “meant creating a theater of emotional and moral truth, where audiences could understand both the subjective experience and the objective conditions of modern life” (779).

·         Hedda Gabler focus: Tragedy of modern middle-class, the bourgeois characters.

Hedda Gabler:

·         Daughter of a general marries an aspiring scholar names Tesman.

·         This marriage is unequal and unsettled.

·         Furniture represents class and taste.

·         Play revolves around class difference between the two and how it drives a rift between them.

·         Hedda destroys things in her path by manipulation (A.K.A. People).

·         Hedda wants a more ideal and fulfilled life.

Quotes:

·         Hedda gets what she wants/wants a luxurious life: “You’re right-it was a bit more costly. But Hedda just had to have that trip, Auntie. She really had to. There was no choice” (785).

·         Because Hedda is of Upper-middle class, she feels shame of being around/married to lower-middle class: “Yes, so Hedda won’t feel ashamed of me if we go out for a walk together” (784). Miss Tesman bought an elegant hat just for the sake of Hedda’s shame.

·         High-maintenance/bossy: “Hedda: Tesman for God’s sake, don’t ask me to do that. I’ve told you that before. I’ll try to call her Aunt once in a while and that’s enough. Tesman: Oh well, I just thought that now that you’re part of the family…” (789). She refuses to call her Aunt (her new family/considered to be a part of the family now) Aunt Julie. This could be because of her shame of marrying into this family.