Hedda Gabler
by Henrik Ibsen · Hedda Gabler
Assigned by 2 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1890
- Form
- Drama
- Language
- Norwegian
- Length
- Short · 100 ppunder 120 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendFour Major Plays: A Doll's House, Ghosts, Hedda Gabler, The Master Builder, translated by James McFarlane and Jens ArupOxford World's Classics, 2008Accurate translations from the Oxford Ibsen, with three of the other plays on the lists in the same volume.
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Hedda, a general's daughter, has married the dull scholar Tesman out of boredom and returns from her honeymoon already trapped. Her former admirer Løvborg has reformed, written a brilliant manuscript, and found a devoted companion in Thea Elvsted. Envious of any life not her own, Hedda tempts Løvborg back to drink, burns his manuscript, and gives him one of her father's pistols. When his death turns out squalid rather than beautiful, and Judge Brack gains a hold over her, she shoots herself.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Hedda Gabler are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.