Oppression in Ibsen's Hedda GablerOne of the social issues addressed in Ibsen's problematic works is the oppression of women by conventions that limit them to domestic life. In Hedda Gabler the heroine struggles to satisfy her ambitious and independent intellect within the narrow role that society allows her. Unable to be as creative as she desires, Hedda's passions become destructive to both others and herself. Raised by a general (Ibsen 1444), Hedda has the character of a leader and is completely unsuited to the role of "suburban housewife" (1461). Because she is unable to have the authority she desires, she exercises power by manipulating her husband George. He tells Thea, “I want the power to shape a man's destiny” (1483). Hedda's inadequacy for her domestic role is also demonstrated by her impatience and evasiveness when faced with any reference to her pregnancy. He confides to Judge Brack, “I have no inclination in that direction” (1471). Hedda desires intellectual creativity, not just the procreative power that ties her to a limited social function. But because her only means of exercising power is through a "gullible" husband (1490), Hedda envies Thea's rich intellectual collaboration with Eilert Loevborg (1484), who produces as their creative "child" a bold treatise on the future of society (1473 -74, 1494). Hedda's rivalry with Thea for power over Eilert is a conflict between Hedda's dominant intellect (symbolized by her guns) and the traditionally feminine power of beauty and love (symbolized by Thea's long hair). Because Hedda lacks Thea's courage to leave her husband and risk ostracism. , tries to satisfy his intellect within the constraints of society. She first seeks power through wealth and social status, marrying George on the terms...... middle of paper ......by bowing to Thea's beautiful hair and, after playing one last dance at the piano, she admits defeat: "Not free. Not free yet!... From now on I will be at peace" (1506-07). Hedda's tragedy is that she is denied the freedom to realize her creative potential, and so is the self-esteem that comes with it. from personal fulfillment. Her attempt to maintain her independence within society prevents her, for fear of scandal, from marrying the man with whom she could have had an individually satisfying and mutually supportive relationship. In Hedda's suicide we see the suffocation of the intellect and emotional isolation caused by oppression, even within an ordinary bourgeois family where "People don't do these things!" (1507).Work citedIbsen, Henrik. Hedda Gabler. Norton's introduction to literature. Trans. Michael Mayer. Third edition. New York: Norton, 1981. 1443-1507.