Restraining Factors in Hedda Gabler

Rhoades 1 Laura Rhoades Cason AP Literature/Composition 15 November 1999 Restraining Factors in Hedda Gabler Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler is not truly indicative of his vast body of work: the protagonist is female and the play is a character study. Oddly enough, though, Hedda does not evolve or progress throughout the entirety of the work. Rather, she remains a cold and manipulative woman. When this fact is realized, the only task is discovering why Hedda continues …

…one is forced to recognize what Hedda truly represents: the cold, emotionless product of a disapproving and domineering society and father. Rhoades 5 Works Cited Ellis-Fermor, Una. “Introduction to Hedda Gabler and Other Plays.” Modern Critical Views: Henrik Ibsen. Ed. Harold Bloom. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 1999. 41. Ibsen, Henrik. Hedda Gabler. Ed. Stanley Applebaum. New York: Dover, 1990. Linnea, Sharon. Barron’s Book Notes: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House & Hedda Gabler. New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 1985.