Term Paper on "Hedda Gabler Stella Kowalski"

Term Paper 4 pages (1368 words) Sources: 2 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Stella Kowalski and Hedda Gabler

Henrik Ibsen's character, Hedda Gabler, shares some similarities with the oppressed housewife, Stella Kowalski in Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Ibsen's play was originally published in 1891 in Munich, Germany, whereas Williams' "Streetcar" is relatively recent, having been first published in the U.S. In 1947.

However, in spite of the 56-year time span and the vast differences in the two cultures, the basic nature of the female characters portrayed have some parallels; Stella in 1947 is no more evolved as an individual than Hedda in 1891 in terms of her autonomy, her honesty, or her ability to handle her own life.

Stella Kowalski has made a major concession in marrying Stanley Kowalski, a working-class, brutish sort who is far beneath the aristocratic social class of people with whom Stella was raised. Stanley has none of the manners, social skills or money that someone of Stella's station would customarily have married. However, from the beginning of the play, Stella seems to exhibit an underlying lack of confidence, and settling for her less-than-perfect marriage to Stanley is one more indicator of that. As the play progresses, we see that perhaps Stella has always felt inadequate as compared to her more glamorous sister, Blanche. Stella asks Blanche to try not to compare Stanley to men "that we went out with at home" (Sc. 1, pg. 17). Although she has settled for less than she might have, Stella is a kind and forgiving person who, at least in her own mind, believes that she is in love with her husband, in spite of his flaws.

Hedda Gabler, on the other hand, not only shows no lack of confidence, but is rude and conceited, speaking in condescending tones to her husband and to his beloved aunt.

Hedda has also come from a high level of social status, but rather than being humble and kind like Stella, Hedda is cruel and conniving, with an air of superiority. We learn that her seeming kindness to an old schoolmate is just her sly way of gathering information and that, in fact, she had been cruel to Thea when they were in school, mocking Thea's "irritating hair" (Ibsen, Act 2, pg. 48). Hedda's perceived station in society has served only to make her a more self-centered, grasping person for whom appearance is of utmost importance.

Stella, although she is disappointed that the family property has been lost, is not a snob. She accepts the circumstances of her modest lifestyle with Stanley, apparently holding no resentment. Hedda Gabler is a schemer, whose decision to marry was based on the potential for more money, higher status and wealth through her husband's accomplishments. Hedda was primarily interested in Tesman because he wanted to "provide" for her, and because he wanted to give her a nice home in which she had expressed a false interest. Stella, although her reasons for marrying may be questionable, truly cares about Stanley Kowalski. She is considerate of his need for a poker night, and is respectful of him as a person, whereas Hedda talks behind Tesman's back about how utterly boring he is.

An interesting contrast between Hedda Gabler and Stella Kowalski is their consideration for others. Stella is almost too accommodating, not only to her sister but to her husband, waiting on them both and putting their needs ahead of her own. She is generous and giving. Her focus on and concern for others is also demonstrated in her asking about Mitch's ailing mother, and bringing her a custard (Williams, Scene 3, pg. 51).

Hedda is out only for herself and her own needs. She will not share in her husband's concern about his future, telling him to "Leave me out of it" (Ibsen, Act 2, pg. 52).

Tesman's competitor and Hedda's former lover, Lovborg, is a struggling alcoholic who has finally tried to quit and make something of his life. Hedda tries to shame him into drinking by alluding to the possibility that the other men are making fun of him for abstaining saying, "I saw it so plainly with Mr. Brack… READ MORE

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