Study notes for AQA Hedda Gabler, offering a summary, character analysis, insights into social and historical context, essay structures, and a thorough examination of Hedda's character with relevant quotes throughout the book.
Character analysis:
Hedda Gabler, George Tesman, Judge Brack, Eijlet lovborg, Mrs Elvsted, Berte, Aunt Juliana
Hedda Gabler:
- 29-year-old upper-class women
- Her husband is George Tesman
- As the play begins, she is returning from her honeymoon
and it is revealed in the play that she is pregnant, which
upsets her.
- Her background is more privileged than her husband's and
that she settled for him, was a surprise for many.
- The play is called Hedda Gabler not Hedda Tesman and Ibsen wrote that he wanted
to indicate that ‘she is to be regarded rather as her father’s daughters than her
husband’s wife’.
- An intelligent, unpredictable, and somewhat dishonest woman who is not afraid to
manipulate her husband and friends.
George Tesman:
- 33 years old
- Intelligent young scholar who tries very hard to please his wife.
- Doesn’t realise she is manipulating him.
- Seems foolish for his age and when he annoys Hedda the audience
has reason to sympathize with her.
- Raised by his Aunt Julle
- At the beginning of the play, he has one great rival, Ejlert lovborg, an
alcoholic.
- Described as an unremarkable man ‘rather plump’ with an ‘open
round contented face’ dressed in comfortable indoor clothes.
- George is delighted in his marriage but picks up on the fact that she
isn’t happy about the pregnancy, suggesting a lack of awareness and sensitivity.
Judge Brack:
- 45-year-old
- Successful man with whom Hedda is well acquainted, as he would have moved in
similar social circles as her father.
- A highly social character who has connections around the
city.
- Seems to enjoy medley over people’s affairs.
- Hedda feels she can express her feeling more directly
with Brack.
- He has the determination to insinuate himself into the
Tesman marriage and uncovers Hedda’s dissatisfaction
and suggests a ‘third person’ could ‘step into the
compartment’.
, Ejlert Lovborg:
- Tesman’s biggest competitor in the academic world
- An alcoholic and once shared a close relationship with Hedda.
- When Hedda is not happy in her marriage Ejlert Lovborg appears on
stage and we see her flirting and seducing him. She wants the qualities
of a lovborg in her husband which is impossible as he is intelligent and
romantic.
Mrs Elvsted:
- Schoolgirl acquaintance of Hedda’s.
- more delicate than Hedda and although dressed in a ‘good state’ her clothes are ‘not
quite in the latest fashion’.
- A meek and passionate woman she and her husband hired Ejlert to tutor their
children.
- When Ejlert leaves her estate to return to the city, Mrs Elvsted comes to town and
goes to Tesman for help, fearing Ejlert will revert to his alcoholism. Mrs Elvsted went
to school with Hedda and remembers being tormented by her.
Bertha:
- George and Hedda’s servant
- She tries very hard to please Hedda, but Hedda is quite dissatisfied with her.
- She is described as ‘getting on in years’ and is ‘rather simple and rustic looking.
- She is not comfortable yet in the new household and shows that she is uncertain of
how to approach Hedda. She says that she is ‘frightened madam may not find me
suitable’.
Aunt Juliana:
- 65 years old
- Sister of George Tesman’s deceased father.
- With her sister, Rina she has been like a ‘mother to him’ and looked
after him from a young age.
- George and Juliana share a warm, homely, and informal way of
speaking and he addresses her as aunt juju.
- She has made sacrifices to provide for George.
- She is the first character to speak in the play immediately
establishing a sense of occasion with her new hat and bouquet of
flowers she has brought.
- She has a nurturing and caring nature and is very much hoping
Tesman will soon have a child.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller miahlillie. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £3.89. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
