Reading Notes W11: Hedda Gabler , Part B

Immediately readers learn a little about Hedda… she is discourteous, allowing Tesman’s aunt, who is sixty-five years of age and the woman who raised her husband to find her way home from the pier because she was more concerned about her luggage, “We felt so bad that we couldn’t take you in the, carriage-but you saw many trunks and boxes Hedda had to bring.”

Miss Tesman perceives Hedda as shallow and vain individual. She purchases an elegant hat so that Hedda won’t be embarrassed when she walks in public with her.  – “Yes, so Hedda won’t feel ashamed of me if we go out for a walk together” (784).  Hedda will have things her way with no regard for anyone or anything else. She had to have a long expensive trip that her husband could not afford, a house of a certain standard that he could not afford either. George appears to be weak-minded man when it comes to Hedda. He knows he is over his head in trying to provide the lifestyle Hedda demands and is accustomed to. Not to mention, he does not know how to manage his finances and inquires of his auntie to inform him how much the house he purchased will be, “how much, do you think? Approximately. Hm?” (785). His auntie put up her annuity for the furniture in his home and he had no idea. Hedda is also manipulative and nosy. She pretends to befriend and show concern for Mrs. Elvsted to learn the truth about her and Eilert Lovborg. As a woman she realized that there was more to Mrs. Elvsted story. George is clueless and is submissive to do what ever is asked of him by Hedda.

George is informed that he is now in competition for the position that was promised to him. However, Hedda is not concerned about their financial predicament after learning this news even though she knows they have been irresponsible in purchasing a home beyond their means. “Hedda and I went and got ourselves heavily into debt. Borrowed money from Aunt Julie too. I mean, good Lord, I was as much as promised the position, him?” (799).  Her main concerned about not being able to live the life of the social elite. She is concerned about her the attire of her servants and her disappointment with not being able to own a horse. She is self-centered and is worried about her outcome and her appearance. She has no sympathy for her husband, who went into debt trying to give her the life she desired on nothing more than prospects (799).






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