Hedda Gabler Group

Question:

mpaul08
mpaul08
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What were the symbolic objects brought in the play Hedda Gabbler?

could you analyze the meaning and importance of each symbolic object in the play Hedda Gabbler.

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Posted by mpaul08 on Monday October 8, 2007 at 7:46 PM and tagged with hedda gabler, symbolism.

Answers:


  1. dymatsuoka

    eNotes Editor

    Three symbolic objects are Eilert's manuscript, Thea's hair, and the pistols.

    Eilert's manuscript is symbolically the child born of his and Thea's love for each other.  In destroying it, Hedda, out of jealousy, seeks to break the bond between the two.  Thea's beautiful, abundant hair, in contrast to Hedda's hair, stands for those qualities of captivating femininity Thea possesses and Hedda lacks. The pistols represent masculinity.  The fact that Hedda is interested in them is arguably symbolic of the hardening of her character due to her repressed femininity, and in a larger sense might signify the freedom denied women of her time.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/hedda-gabler/style

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    Posted by dymatsuoka on Monday October 8, 2007 at 10:59 PM


  2. chickpea Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    Hair is also a symbol of fertility or fecundity. This is also linked to the dichotomy of the characters of Hedda and Thea. Hedda is ironically fertile physically as evidenced in her pregnancy, but sterile in her desire to destory new life, which is symbolised through the burning of Ejlert and Thea's "child". Thea is physically sterile, having only step children.

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    Posted by chickpea on Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 2:13 AM