In Henrik Ibsen’s play Hedda Gabler the main character Hedda Tesman can be described as narcissistic, in the way that she would manipulate the lives of those around her for her own personal entertainment. After an alcoholic relapse caused by Hedda, Loveborg is in desperate search for his missing manuscript that was unknowingly found by Tesman. Knowing of its importance Hedda burns the manuscript and states “Now I’m burning your child, Thea—You with your curly hair. Your child and Eilert Lovborg’s. Now im burning—burning the child” (828). In this scene we are able to grasp her narcissistic personality, knowing how much he depends on the manuscript and the trouble she had caused him, she is unable to empathize with his situation and is only able to think of herself. Although she states to Tesman she did so with the purpose of riding Tesman of his competition and securing their financial situation. In actuality her main purpose was to relieve herself of her boredom, knowing that through her actions she would cause a series of dramatic events to unfold. Although unwilling to face through this drama herself, she manipulates Loveborg’s life knowing that his alcoholic relapse and the loss of his work, will ultimately cause his demise. Hedda Tesman is a true narcissist, even going as far as suggesting suicide by gifting him a pistol, which shows how disposable she views his life and values her own entertainment much more.
4 responses so far ↓
al158379 // Sep 26th 2015 at 7:05 am
I also agree with you that Hedda Gabler displays narcissistic tendencies but I feel that her character is much more complex than that. Hedda has most likely been controlled by a man her entire life. First it was her father and then her husband. She needed to exert control over others like it had been done to her because she had no way of deciding for herself. Her actions can be seen as narcissistic but you can argue that Hedda might have needed to act a bit selfishly in order to keep her sanity. Hedda’s lashing out against others is only to protect herself.
al158379 // Sep 26th 2015 at 7:07 am
I also agree with you that Hedda Gabler displays narcissistic tendencies but I feel that her character is much more complex than that. Hedda has most likely been controlled by a man her entire life. First it was her father and then her husband. She needed to have an upper-hand on others because she had no way of deciding anything for herself. Her actions can be seen as narcissistic but you can argue that Hedda might have needed to act a bit selfishly in order to keep her sanity. Hedda’s lashing out against others is only to protect herself.
mi141990 // Sep 26th 2015 at 10:37 am
I agree with Yohana Gonzales response that Hedda Tesman is a narcissistic who likes to manipulate the lives of those around her. Hedda only really cares about herself and she wants things to go her way. She should be happy that her husband provided her with a house especially when he went through hardships to get it. She should just appreciate the house that George Tesman bought her and worry about the other important things that is necessary in life. I think she had a really rough childhood even though she had wealthy parents at that time. She wants the people in her life right now including her husband to suffer because of that and that is not right.
JMERLE // Sep 26th 2015 at 3:24 pm
Yohana,
You mention some important character traits here (narcism, boredom, manipulation) of Hedda, but in a paragraph, you need to choose only one trait, then develop that with a good quotation and explanation of how the quotation defends your assertion.
Grade: 8/10