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This test consists of 5 short answer questions and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. After Mrs Elvsted arrives, what does Lovborg talk about?

2. Why did Lovborg fight with Miss Diana?

3. Which of the following best characterizes the dinner party at Brack's house?

4. What reason does Hedda give Lovborg for not following through on a threat she made a long time ago?

5. Which of the following best describes the state Lovborg is in when he returns to the Tesman household after Brack's party?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the play HEDDA GABLER, Lovborg is inspired by Mrs. Elvsted and reforms his life for her. Despite this, he says she is "stupid" in interpersonal matters that he discusses freely with Hedda. Indeed, Mrs. Elvsted, like Tesman, seems blind to much of the social happenings going on around her. Write an essay about these four characters and discuss how they inspire and motivate each other.

Part 1: Why is Hedda inspired by Lovborg? Why does Hedda long for influence over Lovborg but doesn't care for the influence she has over Tesman? How are Hedda and Lovborg alike? How are they different?

Part 2: How are Mrs. Elvsted and Tesman alike? In what way is this a strength and in what way are their similarities a weakness?

Part 3: Why is Lovborg inspired by Mrs. Elvsted, but Hedda is not inspired by Tesman? Is the difference in Lovborg and Hedda or in Mrs. Elvsted and Tesman?

Essay Topic 2

The play HEDDA GABLER is rife with symbolism and foreshadowing.

Part 1: Define symbolism and foreshadowing in pieces of literature such as HEDDA GABLER. What is the difference between the two literary techniques? How might an author use them? Why would an author use them?

Part 2: Discuss Ibsen's use of both these techniques in the play, citing as many examples of each as you can. Explain each one, and what you think Ibsen was trying to convey. Why did he choose that particular object as a symbol? Make your essay as thorough and complete as you can.

Essay Topic 3

In the play HEDDA GABLER, Hedda is distraught about the loss of power she has over her own life. She confesses to marrying because Tesman could take care of her and wasn't ridiculous. The society she lives in gives her few choices about her life, and the only option she has is to marry despite the fact that she quite clearly does not want a family. Write an essay about the roles and responsibilities of society and the individual.

Part 1: Hedda ends up by destroying both a brilliant man and herself. Was she a pawn to an unjust society or careless and self centered?

Part 2: Given the society that Hedda lived in, and her fear of scandal, what options did she have to avoid the loveless marriage she found herself in? What opportunities might there have been for a lady of wealth and intelligence to maintain a semblance of her lifestyle if she chose not to marry?

Part 3: Does this understanding make her character more understandable and tragic? Is Hedda's behavior at all justified by the times and society that she lived in? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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