Tevin Dorsey

Honors English III

Ms Macpherson

November 03, 2010

Hedda Gabler: A Tragedy?

Is Hedda Gabler a tragedy? Was her death tragic?

Lou Salome believes that the both of them are tragic. Her interpretation is off and she
gave Hedda way too much sympathy. How could she say Hedda died for herself as she
lived for herself? Hedda died because she couldn’t face what she had caused! Hedda was
a wicked individual that doesn’t deserve any sympathy. Canceling herself out was in no
way the only way to prove herself the true existence of inner freedom. What happened to
practicing the positive things that she could? Hedda was practically free of anything she
wanted to do by the way she carried herself. Her own personality proved that her inner
freedom really existed. Canceling herself out was totally by choice and was out of
stupidity, not because it had to be done. Salome says Hedda was caught in the meshes of
her own weakness. There is no way this could be true. Hedda was caught in her own evil,
wicked spirit and there was no one to blame but her own self. That was not a weakness,
that was just her character. Salome gave Hedda way too much sympathy amd acted as if
Hedda was a good person. Hedda was far from a good person and if anyone deserved
sympathy it would be the ones manipulated and hurt by her.
Catherine Mayerson says that Hedda Gabler and her death is not a tragedy, which
is agreed upon. Mayerson says she dies to vindicate her independence. The statement is
true, being that Hedda said & did what she wanted, not listening to the ones around her. It
was her own choice and her own action to kill herself, so why have sympathy and
consider a tragedy. It was totally avoidable and it was not accident. Mayerson says that
Hedda never understands why at her touch everything becomes evil, how could you not
know what kind of wicked person you were. You would think that such people knew
their bad characteristics, but no not Hedda. She was so manipulative to others that her
death was not important. Its like Hedda acted as if she was not causing a problem, as if
she was too blind to see. She committed suicide to avoid what she stirred up, showing a
sign of weakness. Hedda couldn’t face the reality or assume the responsibility for the
consequences, so says Mayerson. The pistols bring only death without dishonor.
Salome and Mayerson have two different views. Salome gives Hedda plenty
sympathy and feels sorry for her. She feels like Hedda had something to prove and that
she was just too weak. Mayerson feels that Hedda could not live up to her own
wickedness so she took herself to avoid it. Whether it’s a tragedy or not is very
opinionated.
In the photo a woman is boxed in, inside a shoebox to be exact. This is supposed
to say that women didn’t have much freedom. This photo cant speak for all women,
especially ones like Hedda. Hedda had a mind of her own and she said and did what she
wanted. So, the photo can not give Hedda any type of sympathy or even be used as and
excuse for her actions. Hedda didn’t cancel herself out to find her own freedom, she did it
because she couldn’t face the problems she caused. So, the picture does not apply to
Hedda and should not fool anyone to have pity on her. People shouldn’t be fooled,
knowing Hedda’s character.
Salomes interpretation of Hedda Gabler being a tragedy was too sympathetic and
it was wrong. She gave Hedda a description of being a little sad woman that was weak.
Hedda was far from, she was strong, manipulating, and no one scared her. Mayerson was
more logical and realistic with her conclusion. She speaks of Hedda being ludicrous,
mean, and independent. She couldn’t face reality and therefore took herself away. The
photo was far from what Hedda behaved as so that’s not even being taken into
consideration. Hedda Gabbler and her own death was not a tragedy.