Discuss Your Reading: Interpreting Acts 3 and 4
Discussion Topic
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The play Hedda Gabler never openly states that Hedda is pregnant. However, many who've seen or read the play believe this to be true. What do you think?
Post a response that answers the following questions:
- Do you believe Hedda was pregnant? Support your position.
- How do you think a pregnancy affects the drama?
As a follow-up, post a question or comment about one of your classmates' interpretations.
Click your reading guide for some interpretive notes and questions to consider from Professor Robinson.
Scoring
This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first posting. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI do believe that Hedda actually is pregnant because of numerous hints in Act I. First of all, Aunt Julie calls her home a place of life. Then she hints at a possible use for the additional room. Her nephew, Tesman, proudly observes to Aunt Julia how his wife wears "a loose morning gown."
This pregnancy affects the drama of the play because no matter how nasty Hedda is and treats people, the reader begins to feel some sort of compassion towards the "heroine" because of it. It makes the ending of thew play even worse because not only did she take her own life, but she took two others' with her, Lovborg's and her baby's.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOriginal:
ReplyDeleteThere were numerous details to support the fact that Hedda might have actually been pregnant. Besides the fact that Hedda first arrived into Act One wearing a loosely fitting dress, Tesman also describes his wife as “filled out on her journey” and “flourishing.” Also there is an air of vulnerability around Hedda that she masks through manipulation and cruelty as the play progresses. The pregnancy affects the play dramatically. Hedda’s death is now emphasized and there is an air of innocents that surrounds her.
To Christian:
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. There are various facts that allude to Hedda’s pregnancy. I also agree that the fact that she might have been pregnant would make the play even worse. The ending also makes you wonder, “Now what’s going to happen?” However, I do think that if Hedda had not died, she would have been able to live with herself and the baby would have been a blessing and a burden. Hedda is a woman, therefore, she still contains a maternal side, but the baby also symbolizes what could never be, between her and Lovborg and what is, between her and Tesman.
To Shevana:
ReplyDeleteI thank you because I honestly probably would have never thought of what your comment to me stated, had you not mentioned it. I now see that the baby is a symbol for a mere fantasy and for a reality that she does not desire.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hedda was actually pregnant because there are various hints that allude to this fact in Act I. In the act, when Hedda comes into the room wearing a loose morning gown, this is a hint that she will soon need to wear lots of loose gowns. Another hint is when Tessman cannot stop raving about the fact that Hedda filled out so much over the course of their honeymoon trip his aunt despite Hedda doing her best to silence him. These hints seem to foreshadow the fact that she is pregnant, and add to the drama of the play especially when she commits suicide herself.
To Shevana:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that if Hedda had not committed suicide, she would have come to look upon her baby with Tessman as a burden simply because the baby would represent what did not happen between her and Lovborg (her fantasy) and what did happen between her and Tessman (her reality).
Original: I believe that Hedda Gabler was pregnant in the play. There were many veiled hints, provided by Tesman and Aunt Julia, that Hedda was having a child. Most of the time, she covered up the pregnancy by denying the Tesmans' claims, such as in Act I, when Hedda "curtly" stated she is "exactly as" she "was when" she "started". When Tesman insists that she has "filled out", Hedda insists that Tesman "can't see anything" (Act I). The pregnancy, and Hedda's denial of that pregnancy, affects the drama because it shows Hedda want for freedom. She does not want anything to tie her down, or stop her from gaining power and influence in society. She, therefore, does not want a pregnancy. Though I do have this understanding of the pregnancy so far, I am confused as to what the pregnancy means or symbolizes in the play. What significance does the pregnancy have?
ReplyDeleteTo Christian: I agree that some compassion is felt towards Hedda, when considering that she is pregnant. This is because her suicide shows that she was unhappy in life and dissatisfied with what society could not give her. She was practically given everything in her life (money, a home, a pregnancy) besides what she really wanted, which are perhaps civil rights and liberties.
ReplyDeleteOriginal:
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hedda is pregnant, and there were many factors leading to that conclusion. Tesman asks his aunt to behold how Hedda has "filled out," and her vehement denial of the fact just points to it even more. I believe that Hedda's pregnancy is, in part, a reason for her actions in the play. She knows that once she has the baby she will be relegated to the responsibilities of a mother, and this was, in essence, her last hurrah in being able to be her own woman. In a sense, the pregnancy may cause most of the drama to happen, as it motivates Hedda.
Original:
ReplyDeleteWithin the play it is evident to the reader that Hedda is pregnant. This is because of Tesman’s constant referral to her shape, for example, when he speaks of how she has “filled out.” He is constantly telling people to look at her and referring to how plump and round she is becoming. By doing this he is indicating that she is pregnant because he is pointing out the physical characteristics that are associated with pregnancy, which are a round, full shape. Hedda is in denial about her pregnancy. She speaks of her being just the same as she was when she "started" and when Tesman tells people to look at her she tells him sternly to stop. The fact that she does this, shows that she is displeased with what ever change is going on with her body, which in this case is the plumpness associated with pregnancy, and she does not want it to occur. This is evident because of Hedda’s characteristic of being conceited and absorbed with her superiority. The presence of these qualities express that Hedda would actually want people to look at her and focus on her, but the fact that she does not shows her disdain for her body, physically. Hedda does not want to be pregnant because it conflicts with the qualities she possesses; those qualities which go against the principles that coincide with a traditional women; the qualities of strength, independence, and relentlessness. Hedda does not want to have to conform to the role of a traditional woman, which she may believe she will have to do once she is made a mother. Once she is a mother she will have to start handling domestic issues and behave like a housewife, which goes against all that is instilled in her.
To Christian:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the end of the play is made worse with the thought and lingering indications that Hedda is pregnant. This is because they gives the impression and effect that Hedda has not only made the choice to take her own life, but has also made the choice to take the life of her baby. The baby that as a mother she is supposed to love, cherish, and protect. This choice shows the extent to which Hedda does not want to conform to the role of a traditional woman. She would rather take the life of an innocent being growing within her, than be subjected to being a housewife or domesticated. She wants to continue to live for herself selfishly and to independently assert herself. She seems to view a child as an infringement upon doing so. She views her baby as a burden and the choice to kill herself gives her the opportunity to relieve herself of that burden.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI also believe that Hedda is indeed pregnant. All of your supporting details from the play support this inference. I think that the fact that Hedda is pregnant thickens the plot. The pregnancy probably made Hedda feel trapped, no longer permitted to be the free spirited and creative woman that she was. Her denial also portrays this perspective. For example, whenever Tesman hints that she is possibly pregnant then she refutes by partically dismissing his claims. In fact I don’t think Tesman is completely certain of her pregnancy which alludes to the type of relationship that they have. Another aspect of the play was the relationship of death and birth. Hedda is relentlessly masking herself from any life related symbols including the light coming into the room to the flowers that Julia brought. Therefore although she is pregnant Hedda displays a sense of despair, implying death. All in all the pregnancy impacted Heddas actions tremendously. There is always the possibility that if she wasn’t pregnant that she might not have felt the need to commit suicide.
I do believe that Hedda is pregnant in the play, mostly because George Tesman says that she's gotten healthier and her loose gown. Her pregnancy does affect the drama, it affects the way the reader is viewing Hedda. Even though she has this motherly blessing and all she doesn't care. She shoots herself. She doesn't seem to think twice about it.
ReplyDeleteOriginal:
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hedda was pregnant during the play, and this played an imperative role in her suicide. It seems as if she was in denial for the first three acts. I say this because one of her biggest outbursts comes when she finally reveals to George, and to herself for that matter, that she is is going to have a baby. Or even when she states to Judge Brack that she has no talent for such things, and doesn't want any responsibilities. The fact that she takes the gun from the writing table before shes comes under the Judge's thumb and before she declares there's nothing left to live for is a great piece of evidence to support my claim.
To Ellysa:
ReplyDeleteI wholly agree with your reasoning. Perhaps her not being pregnant, would have lessened her notion to commit suicide in the first place. Though there were many other factors that played a role in her death, such as not standing the judge having power over her, losing her aesthetic appeal, and basically having nothing to live for, the fact that she was pregnant played the most essential part in her final decision. I also agree with my colleague Cherisse and her rationale that Hedda would rather take the life of an innocent being growing within her, than be subjected to being a housewife or domesticated. Overall, because of these overlaying factors and broad range of Hedda's personality, it enhanced the drama and complexity of the play and kept my interest to the very last sentence.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hedda was pregnant due to the numerous hints in Act I although she denied it at first. One of the hints that led to a conclusion that Hedda might be pregnant was the fact that she was wearing loose "morning gown" upon arrival in Act I. Also Aunt Julie hints a possible need of an extra room as Tesman points out small details about his wife.
The pregnancy affects the play in a number of ways. It made Hedda remarkably selfish. At the end of the play, Hedda not only took away her life but also the life of her innocent baby.
Original:
ReplyDeleteHedda might have been pregnant, but it was never proven in the play. It is certain that her husband refered to her shape, saying that she has "filled out", and that it was necessary for her to wear a loose fitting gown, and etc. It is also possible that she could have gained weight within a few months. The dynamic of the story heightened when she shot herself, killing herself and her "alleged baby".
To Paulina:
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response. If she was pregnant, it was a very selfish act for her to kill herself, not giving her child the chance to live.
Original:
ReplyDeleteWhile it is never directly stated, I think one could infer Hedda Gabler is pregnant. Throughout the play many different characters hint toward Hedda's weight gain. The idea that Hedda could have possibly been pregnant drastically affects the story. For, if in fact Hedda was pregnant by committing suicide she not only takes her own life, but the life of her unborn child.
To Paulina:
ReplyDeleteI fully agree that if Hedda was pregnant it highlights her selfish character. To commit suicide while pregnant is equivalant to taking the life of an unprotected newborn.
To Jalin:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the fact that it was never proven that Hedda was pregnant in the play. Its true that she might have only gained weight over the few moths and that she might have not been pregnant at all. There also might be a possibility that she told Tesman that she was pregnant in order make Tesman feel bad.
Original: I do not believe that Hedda was pregnant , the wat Mr.Tesman was acting towards her figure initially may have suggested a pregnancy , but there were no physical signs of anxiety or fear when Hedda had responded. Hedda clearly did not want an offspring in that point in her life especially by a person she has does not love. The play continues on to suggest that while on their retreat , Hedda for the most part was not amused by her husband. I doubt she would have sexual relations with Mr.Tesman
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hedda was pregnant. That's why she takes such offense when George says "Yes, but have you noticed what splendid condition she
ReplyDeleteis in? How she has filled out on the journey?" She doesn't want to be pregnant. It had been indicated in the play that Tesman was not a sexual man and Hedda was not open to Tesman about anything so the child may not have been his.
To: Ellysa
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Hedda did feel trapped and she felt no longer permitted to be the free spirited and creative woman that she was. I also think that being pregnant made her feel like she was demoted to being just another common, domesticated housewife.
To Jessica:
ReplyDeleteI suppose it is possible that Hedda wasnt pregnant. Tesman could have been very desperate to have a child for Hedda. A child would indirectly be a hold on Hedda, preventing her from ever leaving Tesman. So Tesman alleged changes in Hedda such as her size may have displayed his desire to have a child. I was surprised that Ibsen,if their was a baby, did not imply that the baby was Lovborgs. This would have added a deeper sense of drama. Hedda would have killed her entire family, Lovborg, herself, and her unborn child.
Original:
ReplyDeleteI believe Hedda was pregnant because if gave her another motive to go with the suicide at the end of the play, and it was also implied through what Tesman was saying when discussing their honeymoon. This affects the drama because when she committed suicide at the end she took a total of three lives, and showed that another reason that she did so was because she did not want to burden of a child to weigh her down, one of the things that she most detested.
To Ellysa: I do agree that if there ever was a baby , it would be more trivial if it were Lovborg , but to keep true to Hedda's character that baby would probably have not been born. Hedda does not like to be tied down to anyone not even by a pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteThere were many details throughout the play that gave way to the idea that Hedda was actually pregnant. From her described attire, the loose morning gown, to the adjectives used to describe her, when Tesman spoke of her journey or that she was filled out.
ReplyDeleteThe end of the play becomes even more tragic, once the reader realizes that Hedda was in fact pregnant. Not only has the reader developed a love-hate attachment relationship with Hedda, but the idea that she also has a baby makes the reader more sympathetic to Hedda. In the end she takes three lives with her, Lovborg's, her's, and her baby's.
Shahnaj, I agree with your response where you said that she almost felt demoted by the baby. That she was going to become just another housewife. I definitely think that she felt restricted by both the characters in the play and society as a whole because she was pregnant. In the end I think it was even more motive to result to suicide, as she did.
ReplyDeleteI inferred that Hedda was indeed pregnant. Aunt Julia mentions that Hedda's villa is "full of life" and keeps asking Hedda if there is anything she has to tell her. Hedda also wears loosely fitting dresses and is described as "filled out". This would have an enormous effect on the drama of the play because Hedda would not be happy with the baby considering she is not happy with her husband... that is, if the baby was Tesmens.
ReplyDeleteTo Alex: I agree with your analysis because that the reader develops a love-hate relationship with Hedda. I also think that the author adds in that Hedda was pregnant because the reader hates Hedda so much, its a way for the reader to feel some sympathy for her, in a motherly way.
ReplyDeleteOriginal: There are numerous hints that allude to the belief that Hedda was indeed pregnant. Tesman constantly talked about Hedda's shape and how she was round and full. She also wore a loose fitting gown which she "filled out". What makes the pregnancy so dramatic is the fact that Hedda takes on the selfish act of killing herself and the unborn child.
ReplyDeleteTo Jessica: I do see where you would get the interpretation that Hedda was not pregnant. But what I can say is that Hedda was no average woman, so the way that one may have expected a "normal" woman to act in the state of pregnancy, is very different from how Hedda acted.
ReplyDeleteTo Xander:
ReplyDeleteAh, I didn't consider the possibility of the baby not even being Tesman's to begin with. Considering how we see her interactions with Tesman she may indeed have had some form of affair, if not for an entirely separate board of ulterior motives as she always goes by.
I do believe that Hedda was indeed pregnant. It was hinted at in the first act numerous times, in addition to her being introduced with a lose fitted dress. Ms. Tesman also hints to her nephew that there is a need for children in the large house that they now own. But I do believe the baby was not Tesman's but it was Eliert Lovborg's child, becuase of the shady ways of Hedda.
ReplyDeleteIn Response to Xander, I agree with your final words because I too doubt that the baby as Tesman's. I believe that Hedda may have known about Eliert long before he made the appearance in the town and she possibly had an affair with him and became pregnant.
ReplyDeleteI read the play a bit differently. My question as the final curtain comes down is: did Hedda die a virgin? Tesman comes across as a guy that can't even dress himself, so why should I believe that he was boffing Hedda every night for six months. I think Ibsen deliberately leaves out all the information that would help the audience understand Hedda's behavior. The author doesn't want us rummaging around for reasons. It's just Godzilla is loose and people are getting step on by a monster; and a rush to the end and finally the monster is dead. There is a path of destruction: that's what monsters do. Go Ibsen!
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ReplyDelete