Hedda Gabler is the one of Henrik Ibsen’s work. It was published in 1890. The play represents a woman, who is stuck between the ideal woman and the truth. Ibsen questioned the 19th-century’s(the Victorian period) society rules. He attacks that system and women’s conditions in society. That period’s women are called as old woman in contrast if a woman is not appropriate for that definition; she is called as new woman. ‘Ibsen is considered the creator of ‘New Woman’.'(SUST Studies, vol. 15, no.1, 2012, p:71).
Women’s sexual identity is one of significant feminism work’s subjects. “New woman” is a term that belongs to feminism movement.
‘A woman, especially the late 19th century actively resisting traditional controls and seeking to fill a complete role in the world.’ (Merriam-Webster).
Hedda Gabler is not a pure, wonderful lady and she has not a perfect marriage. She is absence the wish of getting married, being a mother, insufficient of loyalty and they want to reach freedom.
‘Patriarchy and phallocentrism can easily be seen in this play, i.e. a man is superior, intelligent, and strong, while a woman is inferior, passive and imperfect. Ibsen does not suggest the solutions to what was called ‘the women question,’ like problems that Hedda encounters in her family and society.'( J Nov. Appl Sci., 5(5), p:195, 2016) Hedda Gabler is the protagonist of the play. She is a daughter of a general. Even though she falls in love with Lovborg, she marries Mr. Tesman after her father death. Her father does not have anything to leave legacy except his pistols so she needs someone to take care herself. That is why she marries Mr. Tesman, even though marriage is something for old woman, the feature, which separates it from old woman, is her attitudes towards her marriage. She never puts Mr. Tesman first.
‘TESMAN. My old morning’shoes! My slippers.
HEDDA. Indeed. I remember you often spoke of them while we were abroad.
TESMAN. Yes, I missed them terribly. [Goes up to her.] Now you shall see them, Hedda!
HEDDA. [Going towards the stove.] Thanks, I really don’t care about it.
TESMAN. [Following her.] Only think’ill as she was, Aunt Rina embroidered these for me. Oh you can’t think how many associations cling to them.
HEDDA. [At the table.] Scarcely for me'(HG, Act 1, p;18).
A woman should carry same wishes with her husband and share his ideals. In this dialog, her rejection is an evidence that she does not care her husband’s wishes also she shows a cruel attitude. It is clear she is not a loving or caring wife.
The second characteristic of new woman is about being mother. ‘Ibsen’s preliminary notes on Hedda Gabler shows: ‘They aren’t created to be mothers'(1998:30)'(J Nov. Appl Sci.,5(5): p;196, 2016) Being mother is a wish, which Hedda never want. Women can reject marriage in the 21st century but they do not have a change like that in the Victorian period. She underestimates her husband’s social position so she rejects being mother adamantly. She does not want to be one of Tesmans.
‘BRACK.No, no, I daresay not. But suppose now that what people call’in elegant language a solemn responsibility were to come upon you? [Smiling.] A new responsibility, Mrs. Hedda?
HEDDA. [Angrily.] Be quiet! Nothing of that sort will ever happen!'(HG, Act 2 174).
That conversation shows her manner about being mother. On the other hand, if Hedda was a Victorian woman, she had to be an obedient woman to her husband’s wishes but she has completely different acts what society wants from her.
The third discrepancy of new woman is disloyalty. Hedda is not a loyal wife. She marries Mr. Tesman because of conditions like her father’s death. She has a relationship with Brack, more than friendship.
‘BRACK. But suppose a third person were to jump in and join the couple.
HEDDA. Ah’that is quite another matter!
BRACK. A trusted, sympathetic friend’
HEDDA. ”with a fund of conversation on all sorts of lively topics’
BRACK. ”and not the least bit of a specialist!
HEDDA. [With an audible sigh.] Yes, that would be a relief indeed.
BRACK. [Hears the front door open, and glances in that direction.] The triangle is completed.
HEDDA. [Half aloud.] And on goes the train.'(HG, Act 2, p70)
She continues to encourage Brack about his manners with her words and gestures. This conversation indicates Hedda is neither happy in her marriage nor an ideal wife for 19th century’s society.
The last feature of new woman is reaching their freedom. No one leaves their family behind deliberately, especially women are so sensitive about this subject but Hedda has not that sensibility. She is pregnant and still it is not something to prevent her suicide. She commits suicide with her father’s pistol because with that pregnancy and her relationship with Brack create her own prison. She has not her own freedom and the suicide is the only way to get rid of all these things. ‘Hedda is the victim of traditional thinking of 19th century.(J Nov. Appl Sci., 5(5),2016) That pistol can refer to Victorian era’s pressure and Hedda represents a woman, who loses the battle between society and her own being.
As for summing up, Hedda rejects clichéd woman’s role. She is a selfish and arrogant but still she has not any opportunity, independence or interest in addition to all these, the society drives her into corner. That corner is her death. Hedda Gabler is one of the Ibsen’s works it can be analyzed as new woman. It shows women are not same in all cases, they can reject wife roles, being mother and decide how they will live. She blows the cliché woman with all of her actions.