Clash of Victorian moralities in the play Hedda Gabler

Clash of Victorian moralities in the play Hedda Gabler

The central conflict in Hedda Gabler is between Hedda's desire for personal freedom and autonomy and the society's expectations of her as a woman in late 19th century Victorian society. This clash of Victorian moralities is seen through the actions of the play's characters.

Hedda, as a woman, is expected to conform to the ideal of a virtuous and submissive wife. However,Victorian-era Norway. In this sense, the play highlights the clash between Hedda's individualistic morality and the prevailing values of the time.

One of the Victorian moralities that contrasts with Hedda's individualistic morality is the moral code of domesticity, which emphasized a woman's role in the private sphere of the home as a wife and mother. Hedda's character defies this convention as she rejects motherhood and marriage, instead yearning for a life of adventure, excitement, and power.

Moreover, the Victorian morality of propriety and reputation also conflicts with Hedda's individualistic morality. Hedda is afraid of being judged and criticized by society, but she also wants to do as she pleases and maintain control over her life. Her actions often go against the expectations of society for women, such as her affair with Brack, her manipulation of Loevborg, and her refusal to conform to the traditional role of the wife.

Ultimately, the play presents the struggle between individualism and tradition, highlighting the complex nature of morality and the tension between the pursuit of personal freedom and the need to conform to societal norms.
 

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