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Hedda Gabler Double Standard

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In the play Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, men and women are held to specific double standards. Hedda Gabler is a young woman who is married to George Tesman. Tesman experiences competition to write his history book because Eilert Lovborg also is working on a a history book but he is already praised for the successful first book he wrote. The competition becomes heated when Hedda takes Lovborg’s manuscript and burns it in a fire so Tesman can have a better chance at being successful. Hedda is aware of how devastated Lovborg is and she gives him a gun and encourages him to commit suicide. Once Lovborg is dead, the town questions where he got the gun from. In fear of being caught, Hedda kills herself and the play ends. The drama in this …show more content…

While Hedda is looking around the house, she sees a piano and shares her suggestion for what to do with it to Tesman. “I 'm only looking at my old piano. It doesn 't go at all well with all the other things. TESMAN: The first time I draw my salary, we 'll see about exchanging it. HEDDA: No, no - no exchanging it. I don 't want to part with it. Suppose we put it there in the inner room, and then get another here in its place. When it 's convenient, I mean” (11). Tesman has to work very hard in order to fulfill the needs of his wife. Since he is the man, it is expected that he raise enough money to support them. Tesman is forced to provide for his wife. If he is not able to do this, others will look at his as a failure because it is a man’s job to support. A positive double standard men have is that they are able to pursue their dreams. “BRACK: But it has been very much praise, I hear. LOVBORG: That was what I wanted; so I put nothing into the book but what everyone would agree with...For now I mean to win myself a position again - to make a fresh start” (34). Lovborg is able to write a second book like he has always wanted to do. Men, such as Lovborg, are able to do what they love. Lovborg is able to write books instead of staying at home all day like women are expected to do. Men are able to have multiple options in life that they get to …show more content…

Although both of these genders are affected by standards, women are more severely affected by stereotypes. Women are very restricted and are expected to follow very strict rules and guidelines in order to be accepted in this world. Some may believe that double standards have a greater impact on men because they are required to be wealthy and support their family, but women must marry, be loyal, kind, and live a motherly lifestyle. Women must handle a significant amount of stress due to all of their expectations. Therefore, double standards have a massive impact on

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