Paper Topic:

westren lit _final

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30 April 2010

Pistols as the Symbols of Hedda 's Defeat and the Triumph of Masculinity

Henrik Ibsen 's play Hedda Gabler , though belonging to the works of literary Realism , is not devoid of symbols . Many things in the play have a symbolic meaning , like pistols , the manuscript , Jtzrgen 's slippers Hedda 's and Thea 's hair , etc . Pistols are one of the most obvious symbols . They are definitely the phallic symbols , the symbols of masculinity and everything related to men . Weapons , and

especially firearms , are always associated with men they belong to the men 's world and are alien to the women 's world of love , tenderness , and family values . Pistols belong to Hedda , so they symbolize Hedda 's masculinity Still , pistols become the cause of Hedda 's downfall , thus symbolizing Hedda 's defeat and the triumph of masculinity over a woman who wanted to be a man

On the face of it , pistols seem to be the material twins of Hedda symbolizing Hedda 's masculinity . There is even some similarity in their appearance . Hedda has steel grey ' eyes that remind of the cold metal of weapons her complexion is of an even pallor ' again reminding lifelessness of the metal (Ibsen , act 1 ,

.175 , line 26 . Even Hedda 's way of behaving bears some resemblance to the cold indifference of a potentially dangerous weapon that kills with cruelty and tranquility Her eyes have a cold , clear and dispassionate ' expression (1 .175...

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