Hedda Gabler is a text in which a very overbearing society pushes a woman towards suicide. Many argue that Hedda's death is an act of courage, as a rebellion against the rules of society, however others believe that Hedda's actions show cowardice, as she is unable to face the harsh reality of her situation. Hedda's sole goal throughout the play has been to demonstrate that she still possesses free will. Hedda shows many examples of courage and cowardice throughout the play, unlike the character she is with. Hedda grew up with a general for a father, so she lives as she pleases in her higher stature aristocratic ways. She had a freedom and a voice that she never thought would be taken away from her. However, his age began to show and he soon had to choose between a solitary life or respecting the rules of society. Hedda is destined to marry, have children and please her husband, but for Hedda this is not the purpose of life. When her past with LØvborg comes to light, the reader sees a different side of Hedda. We can see that with LØvborg she feels comfortable and therefore confident. This can be seen from her willingness to discuss her thoughts on herself as a coward seen when LØvborg says: “Yes, Hedda, you are a coward at heart. And Hedda replies: "A terrible coward." This shows that she considers herself a coward. She thinks she has no power over anyone and is poor because of her choice to conform to society. She is able to show LØvborg this side of her because he knew her before the change in her life. She knows that he still thinks of her as she was before Tesman and that is why the audience is shown Hedda's cowardly side towards LØvborg. Hedda appears happy to know that LØvborg had taken... middle of paper.... ...a housewife during that period. This is one of the reasons why Hedda resents her so much. Hedda wishes she had the rights of the men of her time, but envies Thea's feminine personality. This is why Hedda shows her courageous personality when she is in Thea's company. Similar to Hedda's conversations with Tesman, Hedda uses the same oppressive behavior when talking to Thea. Hedda shows her courage to exert her dominance over Thea and shows her hatred for Loveborg's control. The fact that Hedda has dominion over Thea means that she also has dominion over Loveborg. Hedda shows her dominance over Thea with the wuote: "Now I'm burning your son, Thea! - Burning him, hedgehogs!" Hedda refers to the book Thea and Loveborg had written together when she was his daughter. Thea had put so much time and thought into her work and Hedda knew it