Hedda Gabler Drugs and Alcohol Quotes Page 3

Page (3 of 3) Quotes: 1 2 3

How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Edmund Gosse and William Archer's translation.

Quote #7

TESMAN
And then how pitiful to think that he—with all his gifts—should be irreclaimable, after all. (3.79)

It’s interesting that what makes Eilert so appealing to Hedda is appalling to George.

Quote #8

HEDDA
I suppose you mean that he has more courage than the rest?
TESMAN
No, not at all—I mean that he is incapable of taking his pleasure in moderation. (3.80-1)

One man’s alcoholic is another’s brave hero; drinking means courage to Hedda because it represents a defiance of social expectations.

Quote #9

LØVBORG
It will not end with last night—I know that perfectly well. And the thing is that now I have no taste for that sort of life either. I won't begin it anew. She has broken my courage and my power of braving life out. (3.293)

Eilert, like Hedda, seems to think that his drinking is a sign of courage, not a problem to be overcome. Yet he’s incapable of going back to what seems to be his preferred lifestyle. Why?

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