Comparing the Truth in A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler Essay

Truth Exposed in A Dolls House and Hedda Gabler No other dramatist had ever meant so much to the women of the stage, claimed Elizabeth Robins, the actress who performed the title role in the English-language premier of Hedda Gabler in London in 1891 (Farfan 60). Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian dramatist and poet whose works are notorious for their unveiling of the truths that society preferred to keep hidden. Ibsen was sensitive to womens issues and through his works, he advocated for womens rights, a controversial issue for a male writer in the 19th century. Although Ibsen has alluded to the fact that he was not a part of the womens movement, his brave portrayal of women in their socially confined positions can earn him†¦show more content†¦Juliana Tesman, a single, childless woman, sees Heddas pregnancy as being good for Heddas husband, George. Miss Tesman states, God bless and keep you, Hedda Tesman-for Georges sake (Ibsen 705). Ibsen displays women, without children, viewing motherhood positively. In both Hedda and Noras circumstances, society demands that their sole purpose is to serve their husbands. Usually, women reach maturity through marriage and after having children. Ibsen chose the opposite as his case. Nora only achieves maturity when she leaves her husband and children. Through her abandonment she was able to receive closure on the aspect of her life that was preventing her from reaching her full potential. Prior to her leaving, Nora explains to Torvald what she must do for her best interests. I have to try to educate myself, she says, You cant help me with that. Ive got to do it alone. And thats why Im leaving you now (Ibsen 192). Torvald responds by saying that she has no right to neglect her duties to her husband and children. Nora explains, I have other duties equally sacred...Duties to myself. I believe that, before all else, Im a human being, no less than you-or anyway, I ought to try to become one (Ibsen 193). Nora reprioritizes her life and realizes that she needs to cater to her personal needs and establish a life of her own before she can tend to the lives of others. Ibsen is implying that the woman