Hedda Gabler a Heroine Fighting a Patriarchal Soci

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In Henrik Ibsen’s play Hedda Gabler, do you agree with the view that Hedda is ‘an idealistic heroine fighting a patriarchal society’? In considering whether Hedda is fighting a patriarchal society, Ibsen’s naming of the play presents her to be “her father’s daughter” rather than “her husband’s wife”. This introduces the main protagonist to the audience as an unconventional Victorian wife and heroine. This relates to Ibsen’s image of Hedda as a façade, with her rebellion towards becoming a wife shocking the 19th century audience and highlighting “our unwillingness to challenge our own gender and societal roles.” (John Robin Baitz). However, evidence to suggest Hedda is fighting a patriarchal society emerges in her masculine ideas. Hedda shows interest in and similarities, to a typical male throughout the play. An example of this is the adjoining room or anti-chamber to the drawing room that she occupies. This is Hedda’s private room yet typically should belong to the ‘man of the house’. This along with her love of her late father’s pistols presents her with masculine tendencies in manner and attitude. The anti-chamber is also placed stage left on the set. In dramatic terms, this is the side from which villains or anti-hero’s enter, thus presenting her as an idealistic heroine who challenges gender typing. Another quality Hedda displays is her hatred towards becoming a conventional housewife and mother. The thought of being tied down and losing power to a man is Hedda’s worst nightmare. A possible motivation behind Hedda’s resistance to conformity as a wife is revealed in her relationship with Judge Brack, a powerful patriarchal figure of male control. His knowledge of her involvement in Loevborg's death extends his power over her. There is a triangle relationship between Tesman, Hedda and Brack and Hedda is ultimately caught in a trap. Brack’s blackmail over
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