Manipulation is the first word that comes to mind when describing Hedda Tesman. In the play, Hedda Gabler, many incidents occur to show Hedda’s true nature. She is married to George Tesman who tries his best to please her by buying a house that they can’t afford. Of course, he can’t live up to her expectations because the house is a joke to her. Hedda has no regards for his feelings or cares for him. “Not even- the specialist one happens to love? Faugh- don’t use that sickening word!” (Ibsen, act 2). One would come to realize Hedda is only married to Geeorge as a safety net. Hedda keeps him at arms length and finds being a wife a burden. She is the type of women who can’t be controlled but wants to control those around her.
Hedda was also able to manpulate others in the play. Hedda is not Mrs. Elvsted favorite person to speak to. However, Hedda was able to convice her to discuss her love for Ejert and how she feels discouraged. Mrs. Elvsted mentions how Ejert may be involved with a woman who loves pistols and turns out that this is Hedda. She does not mention her past relationship with Ejert which she uses to her advantage of control.
Towards the end of the play, Ejert is found depressed and confides to Hedda that he wants to end his life. At first , Hedda seems sympathic but instead of trying to convince him to live. She urges him to have a beautiful death and hands him a pistol. Unfortunately, ends with his death
2 responses so far ↓
r.joy // Sep 26th 2015 at 12:04 am
I completely agree with your entire post! Hedda is trying to toy with everyone else in the play just for her own amusement and is able to do so because of her beauty. All of the male characters want her and even Mrs. Elevsted seems to be intimidated by her. This allows Hedda to control and manipulate almost everyone in the play. She is even, as you said, able to talk Ejert into killing himself with her pistol.
JMERLE // Sep 26th 2015 at 3:35 pm
Kayla,
Yes, manipulation is a theme that runs the entire course of the play, where Hedda is concerned (and you could use your response as a plan for an essay, I think, as it is a kind of summary of her manipulation). However, in a paragraph, you need to stay close to one specific topic, then develop that with one quote/incident.
Grade: 8/10