You have now read the entire play, Hedda Gabler. Now re-read Act 1 and write a 1

Question

You have now read the entire play, Hedda Gabler. Now re-read Act 1 and write a 1200-word (3+ pages, double-spaced) discussion of what we learn from Act I that will determine the course of the play. In other words, there's not a lot of action in Act I, but there is a huge amount going on among the characters, and it sets up everything that will be played out in the rest of the play. There are two ways to do this, and you should use both. One way is to use the "A wants B but C" formula to show how the goals or wishes of the various characters lead to conflict and complication. The other is simply to read "through" the action to see the inner elements of character on display as the characters interact with each other-what's really going on under all the chit-chat. For example, notice how everyone wants to please Hedda, but everything they do seems just to irritate her all the more-the flowers, the open windows. If you really look closely, almost everything anyone says or does gives us a warning about the fireworks that will occur later on.

Explanation / Answer

This entire play takes place in the Tesman's living room and a smaller room adjacent to it. Jurgen Tesman and Hedda Tesman are newly wed couples and have just returned from their honeymoon of 6 months. Hedda Tesman, the daughter of famous General was used to live a high class and luxurious living as a child and it was very hard to please her. She is married to Jurgen Tesman an intelligent scholar who wants a position in a college. He is researching in the field of history to publish his book. Tesman tries very hard to please his wife Hedda. Tesman was raised by his aunt Jullee. Aunt Julle also tries very hard to please Hedda but their difference of background is quite obvious. Bette is the servant of Tesman , she also tries very hard to please her new mistress i.e Hedda. Eljert Lovborg was an old academic rival of Tesman and now he is back in town.

In the beginning of the act 1 Aunt Julle has arrived. Hedda treats her rudely. When Tesman told her to be kind with her she does not listen to him. Soon after that Mrs Elvsted came, she told them that Ejlert Lovborg who is Tesman's academic old rival has now back in town. Lovbourg was earlier an alcoholic and was a failure but now he has reformed. Hedda convinces Tesman to leave and talk secretly about Lovborg which indicates that Hedda and Lovborg were former lovers. Hedda learns from Mrs Elvsted that she feared that he will again took to drinking and that she took care of him without her husband's permission. After that Mrs Elvsted left and Judge Barack arrived and gives the news that Ejlert has become successful now and is planning to take the position in which Tesman is interested and then leaves. Then Tesman arrived and told to cut their expenses.

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