Hedda Gabler

Despite the fact that it was written in the 1890's, the play Hedda Gabler deals with many aspects from contemporary society. The characters in the play all deal with issues that were present in society long before the play was written, and will continue to be present long after the play has become a classic. The issues that stood out to me as being contemporary were the issues with money, trying to secure a job, alcoholism, love, and even blackmail. These are all issues that we still see in society today, and I think that Hedda Gabler does an excellent job of depicting them in a way that we still understand today.

I liked how the issues arose in the play, because they tend to happen in the same ways today. Tesman has stretched out his finances and desperately needs the job as a professor because he has just bought his family a new home. I can see how easily this translates into modern society because of our declining economy and the struggle that people today have with providing for their families. Another of the issues that is easily recognisable in the play is the loveless marriage that Hedda is in. (Well, loveless for her. Tesman loves her but she does not love him.) Hedda married Tesman because he came from a family with money and could support her lifestyle. We see this all the time today. Celebrities, doctors, lawyers, someone with money instantly attracts the attention of others. When they are bad enough, these issues can lead to problems similar to Lovborg's: alcoholism.

There are definitely some things that would have to change if the play were to be changed into a contemporary setting. The roles of modern women have changed compared to when the play was written. Women today generally do not get married because they think it is time to do so. Hedda would probably not have married Tesman simply because she thought it was time to get married, even though she wanted to continue her single lifestyle. The underlying comments of Hedda's pregnancy would be more open today and she might have even dealt with the issue of whether or not to keep the baby. I think Tesman would have to aim at a wealthier job than a professorship to support Hedda's lifestyle. I also think that it would have been harder for Judge Brack to blackmail Hedda because of all the procedures that police go trough with evidence these days.

I think that Hedda is a very interesting character. That being said, she is also extremely unlikeable. She marries Tesman because she thinks it is time for her to get married and Tesman is the wealthiest applicant. She is mean to everyone around her and makes comments to put them down. I think Hedda does this because even she doesn't like herself and need that outlet to make herself feel better. Hedda tries to come between Thea and Lovborg. She does this because she is jealous that they actually do love each other and she feels that if she can't be like that, then they shouldn't be allowed to be happy together either. Hedda also tries to get Lovborg to committ suicide by shooting himself in the head because it matches her idea of a "free and beautiful" death that she can't give herself.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this play. However, I have to admit that I couldn't help but be horrified when reading about Hedda Gabler's actions and attitude towards others.