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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Hedda tell Tesman she burned the manuscript?

2. Who assisted Ejlert Lovborg with his project?

3. What new responsibility of Hedda's does Mr. Brack refer to?

4. With what type of person is Solness prone to having relationships?

5. How does Hedda die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Hedda burn the manuscript?

2. What are the implications to Hedda of Brack knowing Lovborg died by one of her pistols?

3. Why does Hedda tell Tesman she burned the manuscript?

4. Why is Ejlert unable to return Mrs. Elvsted's love sufficiently?

5. What does Mrs. Elvsted confess to Hedda?

6. Why does Hedda refrain from visiting Aunt Rina?

7. How does Hedda initially react to the news of Lovborg's suicide?

8. What does Mr. Brack hint will soon keep Hedda busy, fulfilling her life and abating her incurable boredom?

9. Describe Solness' relationship with Kaja?

10. Why has Hilde sought Solness out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Mrs. Alving's "ghosts." When do they appear? As whom do they appear? What echoes of her past does she see in the present? Is she able to escape any of her past experiences? What is her character's arc throughout the play? Be sure to provide textual examples.

Essay Topic 2

In the climax of HEDDA GABLER, she shoots herself in the temple with her father's pistol. What reversals in Act 4 lead her to this final act? What characters directly contribute to her decision? Is Hedda's suicide a final, courageous declaration of freedom, or has she been left no other choice because of her restrictive, stifling life? Is her suicide an admission of defeat? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the use of subtext in HEDDA GABLER. Does this differ from the other plays in the collection? Why or why not? What events or situations in Hedda Gabler are not stated, simply implied? How does this use of subtext contribute to the overall effect of the play from start to finish?

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