her. Therefore, Hedda, to ensure thissomewhat demented happiness, must continuously strive for complete control anddomination of the people and objects closest to her. To quench her lust for power, Heddamakes several attempts to save her tragic ending and actually satisfy her craving for a truelife. She begins by attempting to control her husband, George Tesman. An easy catch,Tesman quickly falls under her spell and offers no resistance to her authority and isquickly manipulated and dominated by her. Then, a chain of events follows, for as soon asHedda gets one object under control, she must move onto another to fulfill her hunger forpower. Towards the end of the play, Hedda is unable to adjust to the world around herand must take her own life. She finally comes to the realization that she may nevercompletely control her immediate surroundings and must relinquish some power. Shelooks to suicide as the ultimate control over her life, and sees no other way out. Aconversation between Judge Brack and Hedda serves as Heddas white flag of surrender. Hedda: Im in your power, Judge. You have your hold overme from now on.Brack: My dearest Hedda--believe me--I wont abuse my position.Hedda: All the same, Im in your power. Tied to your will and desire. Not free. Not free, then! No--I cant bear the thought of it. Never! Ibsen 302This is where Hedda resolves her problem and breaks free. Hedda needed space andfreedom from the society she let dominate her for so long. Taking her own life was theonly option that involved full control over her life, so she took that option and carried itout.Although Jessie, the tragic heroine from Marsha Normans Night, Mother, was asimilar character because she chooses the same way to end her misery, she took her ownlife in the face of hopelessness and despair, rather than defeat of her self purpose. Jessiehas lost her dad, her marriage, and almost all the relationships in her life. Her son is apetty t...
