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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. Which answer best describes Tesman's perception of Hedda?

2. From their conversation, what can one infer about Brack and Hedda in Act 2?

3. When did Lovborg write his book?

4. What does Lovborg say about his recently published book?

5. What are people suggesting when they note Hedda has "filled out" during her travels?

Short Essay Questions

1. What leverage does Brack acquire over Hedda?

2. Tesman foresees many months of work to reconstruct the manuscript. How does he recommend they all arrange themselves while the work is going on?

3. What worry of Tesman's does Lovborg quickly alleviate?

4. Other than her dialogue, what are Hedda's two final actions in the play HEDDA GABLER?

5. How does Lovborg feel about Hedda being married to Tesman?

6. In Act 4, what does Brack tell everyone at the Tesman household happened to Lovborg? What did he tell Hedda was the truth when he was alone with her?

7. What is the main question of importance that Lovborg has for Hedda when they are talking in private?

8. What reason does Hedda give Lovborg for her asking him all the details of his dissolute life when they knew each other previously?

9. When Lovborg leaves at the end of Act 3 what does Hedda do? What does she say while she does it?

10. When Tesman and Julle are discussing future prospects, they are talking about different things. What does Tesman talk about, and what does Julle talk about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The character of Hedda Tesman is complex, and has been interpreted in many different ways. Is she a victim of circumstance? Is she a manipulative and selfish evil doer? Perhaps an idealistic dreamer? Is her lashing out early signs of feminism? The final definition of Hedda's character is left to the actress that portrays her, and there have been many variations. How do you see Hedda? Write a full and thorough description of Hedda the way you see her, and the way you would portray her on stage if it were up to you. Develop her character thoroughly, so the reader feels they know her. Support your arguments with examples and details from the play.

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

"Hedda Gabler" is the maiden name of the character we meet in the play as "Hedda Tesman". However, we often hear her referred to by other characters as "Hedda Gabler" and the play itself is named HEDDA GABLER.

Part 1: What do you think was Ibsen's purpose in this? Is he making her connection to her father, or her unmarried life, stronger than her connection to her husband? We see many contrasts between Hedda's maiden life and her married life, are there any parallel changes in her, or, like her name, is she stuck how she was before getting married?

Part 2: Throughout the play we hear people refer to "Hedda Gabler" with deference and admiration. Hedda was clearly successful at what was expected of her before marriage. What happened? Why is she having such a hard time now? Does Hedda have a way to continue her own legacy, or in the play is she merely the shadow of herself?

Part 3: What role has society played in causing this discrepancy in Hedda's life? Does she have many choices that would lead her to happiness or self fulfillment?

(see the answer keys)

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