Oppression in Ibsen's Hedda GablerOne of the social problems addressed in Ibsen's problem plays is the oppression of women by conventions limiting them to a domestic life . In Hedda Gabler, the heroine struggles to satisfy her ambitious and independent intellect within the narrow role that society allows her. Unable to be creative as she desires, Hedda's passions become destructive both to others and to herself. Raised by a general (Ibsen 1444), Hedda has the character of a leader and is completely unsuitable for the role of “suburban housewife” (1461). ). Since she cannot have the authority she dreams of, she exercises power by manipulating her husband George. She tells Thea, “I want the power to shape a man’s destiny” (1483). Hedda's unsuitability for her domestic role is also demonstrated by her impatience and evasiveness with any reference to her pregnancy. She confided to Judge Brack: “I have no inclination in that direction” (1471). Hedda desires intellectual creativity, not just the procreative power that ties her to a limited social function. But because her only means of exercising power is through a "gullible" husband (1490), Hedda envies Thea's rich intellectual partnership with Eilert Loevborg (1484), who produces, as their "child" creative, a bold treatise on the future of society (1473). -74, 1494). Hedda's rivalry with Thea for power over Eilert is a conflict between Hedda's dominant intellect (symbolized by her guns) and the traditionally feminine power of beauty and love (symbolized by Thea's long hair ). Because Hedda doesn't have Thea's courage to leave her husband and risk ostracism. , she tries to satisfy her intellect within the constraints of society. First, she seeks power through wealth and social status, marrying George conditionally...... middle of paper ......da bows to Thea's beautiful hair and, after playing one last dance at the piano, admits his defeat: "Not free. Still not free!... From now on, I will be at peace" (1506-07). Hedda's tragedy is that she is denied the freedom to realize her creative potential, as well as the self-esteem that comes with it. of personal success. Her attempt to maintain her independence within society prevents her, for fear of scandal, from marrying the man with whom she could have had a relationship that was both individually satisfying and mutually supportive. In Hedda's suicide we see the stifling of the intellect and emotional isolation caused by oppression, even within an ordinary bourgeois family where "people don't do such things!" (1507). Work cited Ibsen, Henrik. Hedda Gabler. The Norton Introduction to Literature. Trans. Michael Meyer. Third edition. New York: Norton, 1981. 1443-1507.