A Fantasy Come True

1047 Words3 Pages

When a beloved family member dies the natural human reaction to cope with the depressing news is known as denial. In Hedda Gabler and “How to Paint a water Lily”, both Ibsen and Hughes suggest that men live in a fantasy rejecting reality to protect them from horrifying situations. While Hughes believes that this fantasy is a natural survival technique used by men, Ibsen believes that by hiding the reality of life man are driven to insanity which prevents the growth of a potential culture hero.

Ibsen reflects his belief: fantasy life protect humans from an appalling circumstance with his character Hedda Gabler whose fantasy is the life of perfect wife .Throughout the book Hedda’s actions has a double meaning the reason she gives Tessman and her true intention. Ibsen wants to convey that culture suppresses Heddas abilities to lead and manipulate power. Hedda tries to justify her actions, such as the burning of the book, by telling Tessman “I did it for your sake, George” (292)and she makes her self believe that she burned the book for Tessman so that in both her and Tessmans minds the fantasy of the ideal wide may be fulfilled. Hedda sells this fantasy to Tessman to prevent him from seeing her true intention. In Tessmans Perspective Hedda is the wife that is willing to do anything for him and his happiness. For Hedda this fantasy of ideal wife is what motivates her to continue the relationship with Tessman, she knows that her true desire is power and freedom; she has to believe that Tessman has the ability to be greater. Ibsen demonstrates Heddas passion to live out the fantasy with the following conversation between Hedda and Brock “Fortunately the wedding trip’s over now…I’ll never jump out.” (252) where Hedda’s superficial lov...

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... society. Hughes also juxtaposes the marvelous delicacy of the surroundings created by the fireflies such as in lines 14-15 “Rainbow their arcs, spark, or settle/ cooling like beads of molten metal” to demonstrate that beauty may come from violence. The growth of the water lily is a natural event that contains the magnificent and turmoil of nature. Hughes wants to reader to comprehend that the balance of the apollonian and the Dionysian is a uncontrollable circumstance.

Although these authors don’t concur on the views of society, it is true that fantasy for men will always exist as an optional escape of the reality of the complex and crude world. There needs to be an equilibrium point between reality and fantasy, to avoid insanity in men kind. This balance point among these two ideals is what will keep a culture and society growing strong throughout the ages.

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