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Themes in Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen

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Hafsa Awan
Hafsa Awan

This document discusses the major and minor themes in Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler. The three major themes are: 1) the conflict between an individual's desires and restrictive social norms, 2) the plight of women in 19th century society facing gender discrimination, and 3) class conflicts between the bourgeois and aristocracy. Minor themes include feminism, wealth, reputation, appearances, dreams/hopes, self-liberation, sex vs. sterility, and the role of drugs and alcohol.

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Themes in Hedda Gabler
Themes in Hedda Gabler According to John T. Shipley, Hedda Gabler "presents no social theme" (333). Mr. John T. Shipley is mistaken when stating that there is a lack of social themes in Hedda Gabler because issues such as: Bourgeous vs. aristocracy Social class Public image Scandal Gender sexuality All are present entire of the play
Major themes in Hedda Gabler There are three major themes in this drama. These are enlisted as: a. Individuals crowing for life Vs. Stultifying empty social Norms b. The plight of the woman in 19th century or Gender Discrimination c. Class conflicts
Minor themes in Hedda Gabler There are some minor themes which are presented in this drama. These are somehow interrelated and inter-connected with the major themes. These are enlisted as: Theme of female and Feminism Theme of wealth Theme of respect and reputation Theme of courage Theme of appearances Theme of hopes, desires and plans Theme of self-Liberation and self-Renunciation Theme of sex vs. sterility Theme of drugs and alcohol
Major themes Major theme#1: Individuals crowing for life Vs. Stultifying empty social norms Through the character of Hedda, Ibsen portrayed the nineteenth century social milieu in which the individual is bound to follow the social norms of society. Child of her father Caught into the stuffy Bourgeois Environment Manipulation as a consequence Suicide- the only way out for Hedda Major theme#2: The plight of the woman in 19th century or Gender discrimination In 19th century Norwegian society, women had no power. The male domination in 19th century has been represented by the attitudes of various male characters.
Major themes Major theme#3: Class Conflicts Through the character of Hedda, Ibsen portrays the illusion of power retained by different classes within the social system. But Ibsen dramatizes in Hedda Gabler, the hidden conflicts in this society. He shows what can be hiding behind the beautiful facades: Moral duplicity Confinement Betrayal Manipulation Constant insecurity
Minor themes 1. Theme of female and feminism In the late 1800s, woman are restricted by Victorian values Prevented from having any real lives of their own Exist only in relation to men Emptiness and malaise are common factors 2. Theme of wealth A marriage between an aristocratic woman and a seemingly middle- class man Wealth is a constant barrier between them, not only as far as money is concerned but also in regards to class Interests, mannerisms, even personalities and friendships, are all tied to class
3.Theme of respect and reputation Societys rules are often more important than human life The threat of public scandal hangs constantly over the characters heads, threatening to ruin social status Reputation is far more important than human life in Hedda Gabler 4. Theme of appearances Beauty is power Aesthetics are important to the play as well: the aristocratic class, more so than the middle class, is obsessed with appearances All black, feathers, atop a horse these all paint the portrait of the reserved, wealthy, powerful, and cold Hedda Gabler 5. Theme of dreams , hopes and desires If Hedda Gabler teaches one lesson, it is that dreams cannot be relied upon. In this play, all plans for the future are predicated upon falsities, lies, misunderstandings, or miscommunication. Whether it be marriage, friendship, babies, professional pursuits, or economic risk, nothing is a sure thing.
6.Theme of Self-Liberation and Self-Renunciation Hedda believes that the power to determine when and how one dies is the ultimate freedom, and is perhaps the only real control that an individual has in life 7.Theme of sex vs. sterility The "notorious" female character in dramatic works of literature is frequently a firebrand, fully in control of her sexuality and conscious of her power over men but it is opposite in case of Hedda 8. Theme of drugs and alcohol Hedda Gabler features a recovering alcoholic as one of its main characters The play draws a connection between the idea of courage and the idea of drinking Alcoholism is interpreted as the mark of a free spirit, rather than a disease which needs to be treated
Themes in Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen

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Themes in Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen

  • 2. Themes in Hedda Gabler According to John T. Shipley, Hedda Gabler "presents no social theme" (333). Mr. John T. Shipley is mistaken when stating that there is a lack of social themes in Hedda Gabler because issues such as: Bourgeous vs. aristocracy Social class Public image Scandal Gender sexuality All are present entire of the play
  • 3. Major themes in Hedda Gabler There are three major themes in this drama. These are enlisted as: a. Individuals crowing for life Vs. Stultifying empty social Norms b. The plight of the woman in 19th century or Gender Discrimination c. Class conflicts
  • 4. Minor themes in Hedda Gabler There are some minor themes which are presented in this drama. These are somehow interrelated and inter-connected with the major themes. These are enlisted as: Theme of female and Feminism Theme of wealth Theme of respect and reputation Theme of courage Theme of appearances Theme of hopes, desires and plans Theme of self-Liberation and self-Renunciation Theme of sex vs. sterility Theme of drugs and alcohol
  • 5. Major themes Major theme#1: Individuals crowing for life Vs. Stultifying empty social norms Through the character of Hedda, Ibsen portrayed the nineteenth century social milieu in which the individual is bound to follow the social norms of society. Child of her father Caught into the stuffy Bourgeois Environment Manipulation as a consequence Suicide- the only way out for Hedda Major theme#2: The plight of the woman in 19th century or Gender discrimination In 19th century Norwegian society, women had no power. The male domination in 19th century has been represented by the attitudes of various male characters.
  • 6. Major themes Major theme#3: Class Conflicts Through the character of Hedda, Ibsen portrays the illusion of power retained by different classes within the social system. But Ibsen dramatizes in Hedda Gabler, the hidden conflicts in this society. He shows what can be hiding behind the beautiful facades: Moral duplicity Confinement Betrayal Manipulation Constant insecurity
  • 7. Minor themes 1. Theme of female and feminism In the late 1800s, woman are restricted by Victorian values Prevented from having any real lives of their own Exist only in relation to men Emptiness and malaise are common factors 2. Theme of wealth A marriage between an aristocratic woman and a seemingly middle- class man Wealth is a constant barrier between them, not only as far as money is concerned but also in regards to class Interests, mannerisms, even personalities and friendships, are all tied to class
  • 8. 3.Theme of respect and reputation Societys rules are often more important than human life The threat of public scandal hangs constantly over the characters heads, threatening to ruin social status Reputation is far more important than human life in Hedda Gabler 4. Theme of appearances Beauty is power Aesthetics are important to the play as well: the aristocratic class, more so than the middle class, is obsessed with appearances All black, feathers, atop a horse these all paint the portrait of the reserved, wealthy, powerful, and cold Hedda Gabler 5. Theme of dreams , hopes and desires If Hedda Gabler teaches one lesson, it is that dreams cannot be relied upon. In this play, all plans for the future are predicated upon falsities, lies, misunderstandings, or miscommunication. Whether it be marriage, friendship, babies, professional pursuits, or economic risk, nothing is a sure thing.
  • 9. 6.Theme of Self-Liberation and Self-Renunciation Hedda believes that the power to determine when and how one dies is the ultimate freedom, and is perhaps the only real control that an individual has in life 7.Theme of sex vs. sterility The "notorious" female character in dramatic works of literature is frequently a firebrand, fully in control of her sexuality and conscious of her power over men but it is opposite in case of Hedda 8. Theme of drugs and alcohol Hedda Gabler features a recovering alcoholic as one of its main characters The play draws a connection between the idea of courage and the idea of drinking Alcoholism is interpreted as the mark of a free spirit, rather than a disease which needs to be treated