March 13, 2022

EP 141: Reviewing Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" - with R.N. Roveleh

EP 141: Reviewing Henrik Ibsen's

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Today, me and Helevorn (IG: @helevorn_bor) talk about one of her favorite plays, "Hedda Gabler" by Henrik Ibsen.  

We cover the following questions:  

1. Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, published in 1890, is considered to be one of the masterpieces of realist literature and of drama, in general. The title character, Hedda Gabler, is seen as a female Hamlet through the force and depth of the character. Can you begin by summarizing the plot?  

2. What are the themes of the play?  

3. What’s Hedda Gabler like?  

4. Like other female characters of Ibsen’s, Hedda feels stifled in her life. How is she different from Ellida (from Lady from the Sea) or Nora (from A Doll’s House)?  

5. If Hedda is so “morbidly selfish”, as she’s called by critics, what are relationships to her? How does she relate to her husband, George Tesman and to Eilert Løvborg? Does she love anyone?  

6. Hedda Gabler often complains about boredom. How do you explain this boredom?  

7. Beauty is something Hedda talks about repeatedly. What is beauty for her?  

8. Is she a narcissist? Do you see her behaviour as a hint to a pathology?  

9. Which of your characters were inspired by Hedda? (Rannveig and Yngvar from "Sons of Disobedience" and "Lucky Wolf")  

10. How else did “Hedda Gabler” influence you in your writings?

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