Play Breakdown for Hedda Gabler

1) I feel as if the action in Hedda Gabler builds upon the arrival of Lovborg. His presence complicates the lives of both Hedda Tesman and her husband, George. The climax of the play, however, is not cut in stone for me. Is the climax Lovborg’s decision to go on a “boy’s night out,” or when Lovborg loses his manuscript? Both occurrences have a great impact on the plot and both are exceptionally intense moments in the play.

2) I feel as if the playwright achieves his intensions by using irony. Hedda needs to feel like she has the power to control people; thus, she directs Lovborg to his ultimate demise. Ironically, it is Hedda’s manipulation of Lovborg that allows Brack to have psychological (and by implications, physical?) control over her. This control leads Hedda to kill herself.

3) Hedda’s main objectives in the play are to control and manipulate as many people as she possibly can. This entertains her; she enjoys being the puppet master.

I feel like Tesman only wants to make his wife happy. He’s willing to go through financial ruin to accomplish this goal. His main objective, I feel, is to secure his two loves in life—his wife and his academic career.

Lovborg’s main objectives in the play are to overcome alcoholism and to regain his moral reputation. He also wants to rekindle a love affair with Hedda (or is it Madame Diana who truly lights his fire…I wasn’t sure).

Mrs. Elvsted wants to escape her loveless marriage and establish a relationship with Lovborg. Ultimately, she wants to settle down with her true love.

4) I feel like the complications in Hedda Gabler are centered on Hedda and Lovborg. Hedda hates the bland lifestyle she’s living, thus she manipulates others for entertainment. Lovborg, on the other hand, complicates the play as he is not satisfied with living a healthy lifestyle. On the contrary, he’s drawn to the dark side; he falls in love with manipulators and alcohol. Both lead to his demise. In short, the obstacles in the play originate with people being unhappy with their lives and with themselves.

5) I believe that conflict is an important aspect in the play. Lovborg still loves Hedda (why is a mystery) and Hedda uses this love for her own entertainment. This conflict is never resolved as Lovborg commits suicide before Hedda’s true nature is revealed. Conflict also occurs because Hedda believes it her birthday to be a puppeteer. The conflict is resolved when Brack blackmails Hedda to be at his beck and call. Final resolution comes when Hedda commits suicide. These conflicts had to be resolved in order for the playwright to convey his main themes.

6) I enjoyed the world of the play. The superficial nature of high society was revealed and, generally, the world was believable.

7) I felt like the language in the play was appropriate. Dialogue was realistic (I especially enjoyed Tesman’s obsessive use of “eh”…it was distinctive to him) and enjoyable.

8) I feel like writers can learn something from everything they read. Avid readers tend to make good writers. For me, Hedda Gabler demonstrates the importance of having each character stand out as an individual. After awhile, I could tell which character was which simply by the content of their words.