The Problem Of The Lack Of Women’s Rights In A Society In Hedda Gabler

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Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen provides insight into the life of a woman who is constricted by the lack of women’s rights in her society. I am conducting this production as it is considered a feminist play, proposing situations of gender inequality and sexism that are common within society. The character Hedda provides a relative example of a woman who is constricted by her own image, conforming to the ideals of women within society. Although we have made advancements within our society to reduce gender inequality, we still have improvements to make, making this topic currently relevant.

Feminist groups and Women’s Day events are promoted by the media today, but inequality towards women remains an issue. For this reason, I believe that our current and upcoming generations need to understand the effect of oppression of women and gender inequality within our society. This production examines the life of a socially constrained female, who’s inner afflictions with her image within society lead to her own demise. Ibsen wrote Hedda Gabler during the 1890’s forming emphasis on individual psychology (Mangang). The production was significant for women at the time of the premiere, as well as in our society today.

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Over time, scholars have argued the significance of the feminist qualities that this production promotes, and how Ibsen provides an unusual example of women, especially at the time of its publication. The production was not understood at the time of its publication, issuing an abnormal example of a woman to the theatre (Mangang). Hedda is characterized as a perverse, exasperated and irreconcilable young lady, offering a rich literary text for decoding the hidden messages about human consciousness, especially regarding feminist theory (Hossain). It is apparent that she is constricted by the ideals of women in society, uninterested in a domestic female lifestyle, rather interested in the norms of men.

Hedda’s ‘hysteria’ is the reaction to her female roles to which she is unsuited, as she remains obsessed with the image of a conventional woman (Mangang). She desires various unfeminine pursuits throughout the production but keeps on suppressing her desires (Mangang). Hence, all her life, all that she wants is suppressed (Mangang). Her distraught character is a result of this suppression (Mangang). In Act 2, Hedda and Judge Brack are conversing about Hedda’s home life. Brack questions how happy Hedda is in her marriage and domestic lifestyle, to which she responds, “I know of no reason why I should be happy. Perhaps you can give me one?” (Act 2, 250). Brack is confused as to why a woman would not be content with such a lifestyle that all women idolize, which Hedda describes to be a “legend” (Act 2).

Hedda rejects happiness in her marriage and lifestyle, specifically within her description of the happiness from such being a legend and not reality. This provides an understanding that the ideals and unequal respects that society places on women are simply a facade that they place upon themselves to be accepted by their communities. Throughout the remainder of the play, this facade promotes personal inflictions for Hedda, representing the intrinsic effects of gender inequality that society has on women. With the consistent suppression of her true desires, she is eventually lead to hysteria, committing suicide to end the production. As a director, I have chosen to explore the concept of reverse gender roles in my rendition of this piece.

By reversing the gender of all characters, this will depict what society would be like in the case of oppressing men rather than women. By casting men in the intended roles of women, such as the character of Hedda, the audience will have the opportunity to view gender inequality towards men, straying from what is considered to be “normal”. In this case, the audience will be surprised by the abnormal effect of oppression towards men. This affecting them as it is not what one may expect out of this production. Audience members will take away the idea that our society needs to continue to advocate and educate the topic of equality. The production will shock the audience and allow them to identify with Hedda Gabler on a moral ground.

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