Sexuality And Hair In Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler

Throughout time and history, a defining trait for many has been their hair, whether it be in relation to the color, length or thickness. Traditionally, long and full hair has been associated with femininity and beauty. Shorter, thinner hair has also usually been associated with masculinity, and sometimes even weakness. In Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, hair is reflective of the two main female character’s personalities. Hedda’s hair, being thinner and an “agreeable” brown, shows that she has a more powerful and dominant personality. Thea’s hair, on the other hand, is very thick and is a light blonde color, representing that she is a very feminine and light kind of person. Just like their hair, Hedda and Thea of foils of each other, each having

They both have had a relationship with both George and Lovborg (30, 80). By presenting them with similar old lovers, Ibsen presents an opportunity to see how their relationship interests were the same. Despite their previous flames, both women eventually marry, however they do not marry happily. Thea, despite her marriage to sheriff Elvsted, harvests feelings for Lovborg, and through this relationship, she manages to get him to give up his alcoholism(43). Hedda, similarly to Thea, is living in an unhappy marriage to Tesman. Again, just like Thea, Hedda has suppressed feelings for Lovborg, which she has carried with her since she broke off their relationship(83-84). By presenting both women with an unhappy marriage, Ibsen clarifies the varying ways in which they manage it. Ibsen provides many commonalities in the ways they go about their personal life and though different in other ways, Hedda and Thea are similar in many

Thea, in a move that Hedda would never dare make, eventually does leave her husband in order to pursue a relationship with Lovborg, stating that she “shall never go back to him again” (41-42). By having her make this bold decision, Ibsen clearly points out that this was something Hedda would never do. In fact, Hedda is horrified when she learns what Thea has done, even trying to convince her to go back by saying what people may think of her. At that, Thea responds with a resounding “for aught I care” (42). After leaving her husband, Thea pursues her relationship with Lovborg, yet again revealing vast differences between the two. As previously mentioned, Hedda broke off her and Lovborg’s relationship because she feared it would cause a scandal due to his alcoholism. Thea, unlike Hedda, chose a different path, yet again revealing the differences between them. While Hedda is willing to sacrifice relationships to save face, Thea is the exact opposite. Rather than have Thea turn away Lovborg, Ibsen has her choose him in spite of the public, exacting the point that she does not need society’s opinion to define her. Ibsen formed Thea so that she would be willing to ignore society’s perception of her and pursue what will make her happy. Rather than having her conform to the image of the perfect wife at that time, he has her follow her gut and look for what is in her