hedda gabler
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Destructive Actions of Hedda Gabler
In Hedda Gabler, Henrik Ibsen is trying to convey the message that many people live their lives through the people who surround them. Ibsen is able to do so through the character Hedda Tesman, who is unable to cultivate a life of her own. Throughout the story, we see Hedda's actions become more and more destructive. Because of her poor decisions and her inability to let go of her past, Hedda's proceedings become the only way for her to assert some sort of freedom from the restricted social position her society has forced her to accept.
In order to understand Hedda's social position, it is important for us to analyze her youth. Hedda was born into a wealthy family, in which her father was a well-known general of the military. The high status of General Gabler caused the family to be in and out of the limelight. This can be determined by Ibsen's expression of Hedda's character in the course of many occasions in which she says in response to her situation or someone else's, "what are people going to say." By worrying about what people may think or say, Hedda forces herself to conceal and suppress her true feelings.
Growing up in a wealthy family not only effected her ability to express her inner feelings, but it also compelled her to put the emphasis of happiness on worldly possessions...