One of the central themes in Henrik Ibsen's tragic play, Hedda Gabler is the illusion of power between social classes. To expound on this theme, Ibsen creates a powerful and socially privileged character that he titles Hedda. It represents the social and cultural freedom that upper-class people within the nineteenth-century bourgeoisie were believed to possess. At the same time, Ibsen also presents other middle-class and less powerful characters, such as Aunt Juju, Thea Elvsted, and Eilert Loevborg. These characters contrast Hedda's powerful and often offensively privileged character, demonstrating the costs of social acceptance and control. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay As the plot evolves, Hedda exploits and manipulates the characters. He practices these behaviors in order to maintain the social power and prestige of a higher class. Throughout most of the play his deceptive actions towards power are successful as people submit without question. This perversion distorts and hurts Hedda as she comes to realize that she does not have the social power to control those beneath her. The disillusionment of the social system is revealed when the reader recognizes that power resides not among upper-class individuals, but within the social order itself. Our first impression of Hedda is not favorable. Although she appears to be a woman of great beauty and exceptional social status, her personality dooms almost every woman who comes into contact with her. After returning from her honeymoon to a new home, Hedda automatically exerts her social dominance over those nearby. His initial reaction ranges from disapproval to outright offense as he hurls insults at Aunt Juju's early arrival and the plain appearance of her hat (1253-1254). The attacks evoke fear and awe in the social position Hedda holds as that of well-being. Hedda further pushes her social power over the other characters in the play through manipulation and deception. Her husband, George Tesman, bows to her every request and rejects her harmful remarks. The reader assumes that Tesman was not born into a prosperous family as he has little wealth and is heavily in debt. It is understandable why he is happy that he is lucky enough to have "won" such a favorable bride (1250). This is why he can only see how "beautiful and charming" she is (1254). He cannot see how indifferent he is since he does not notice the death of his aunt Rena (1295). Tesman is blind to the way she manipulates him with the announcement of her pregnancy so that he can forget that she took power away from Loevborg by burning his manuscript (1296-1297). Like Tesman, Thea Elvsted and Eilert Loevborg fall into his trap as he further exploits them to maintain his social power. Hedda uses her social position and seemingly comforting behavior to force Thea to tell the story of her marriage to Elvsted and her subsequent affair with Loevborg (1260-1262). Her social position, which generally places her above reproach, lends itself to her overall credibility and supports her manipulations. Hedda's power over Loevborg developed before her meeting with him in the play. Since he was one of Hedda's suitors before she married, she made him fall in love with her and through this love was able to control him. When Loevborg meets her later in the play, she still holds some of his love and power. With the knowledge she gained from Thea, Hedda is in, 1995. 1247-1304.