Hedda Gabbler and All my sons compare and contrast

comparing or contrasting dramatic devices in both plays

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what is the dramatic device anagnorisis?

where characters move from ignorance to knowledge, were there are revelations of hidden truths

What is a moment of anagnorisis in both plays?

Hedda Gabbler: in the last act Hedda when she realises is trapped by her own nature and action and that her destruction is inevitable when Brack says she owes him

All My sons: in the last act when Chris confronts his father about the accusation of murder and read’s Larry’s letter, Joe himself realises what he has done

Give quotes for this

Hedda Gabbler:

• Hedda says “nevertheless, I’m in your power. Dependent on your will, and your demands. Nor free. Still not free!

All My Sons:

• Chris says" “I can’t look at you this way, I can’t look at myself!”

• Joe says “But I think to him they were all my sons. And i guess they were, I guess they were”

Explain the importance of the setting in plays using quotes for Hedda Gabbler.

Hedda Gabbler:

• set inside of the house, she never leaves reflecting her confinement, her lack of freedom

• “smart, spacious living room” the description of the interior of the house reflects the bourgeois environment which Hedda finds oppressing

Explain the importance of the setting in plays using quotes for All my sons.

All My sons:

• “It would have cost perhaps fifteen thousand in the early twenties when it was built.” [Act 1] reference to money from the very beginning, reoccurring theme as Joe bases his worth as a person on how much money and how successful he is (capitalist society criticism from Miller)

• “hedged by tall, closely planted poplars which lend t the yard a secluded atmosphere” [Act l] moral isolation of the family due to Joe’s actions, barrier to the outside world, separates them his action, the rest of the world, shows denial or lack of recognition, of responsibility

• backyard is the setting, the fallen tree in it’s self is the catalyst of the entire secret being revealed,

explain the similarities in the characterization of characters in Hedda gabbler and all my sons.

both feature complex characters who are deeply flawed, the plays show that the characters have ambiguous motives and contain contradictions

Use quotes from all my sons and explain the flaws of characterisation of the main characters

All my sons:

• Joe - flawed pragmatism

• Kate - in denial

• Chris - tension between idealism and self-interest as he doesn’t like the capitalist and materialistic life he has come back to but tells Annie “I’m going to make a fortune for you!” [Act 1], survivors guilt

• neighbours - represent tension between pragmatic and ideal, recognise the compromises that seem an inevitable aspect of daily life like marriage (Sue and Jim)

Use quotes from Hedda Gabbler and explain the flaws of characterisation of the main characters

Hedda Gabbler:

• Hedda - bored, destructive, trapped, unhappy, manipulative

• Tesman - dumb, unaware, tireless, doesn’t understand Hedda, easily distracted

• Brack - manipulative, mocking, arrogant, like to be in power and control

• Loveborg -Tesman’s rival, smart, the better professor but has issues with alcohol, complex relationship with Hedda

What are some elements of foreshadowing in All my sons?

All my sons:

• fallen apple tree - represents the fallen son, catalyst of the revelation, foreshadows the exploration of Larry’s death and it’s cause

• Chris’s talk of dishonesty - “Being dishonest with her. That kind of thing always pays off, and now it’s paying off.” [Act 1] when talking about his mothers still clinging on to the idea that Larry is still alive

• Mother’s ominous line - “You above all have got to believe, you …” [Act 1] hints at the shared secret that Joe shipped f the faulty parts

what were some elements of foreshadowing in Hedda Gabbler?

• the guns when Hedda plays with her guns “[Raises the pistol and points.] Now I’ll shoot you, Judge Brack!”

• suicide: “People say such things—but they don’t do them” (Brack)

What do the vine leaves symbolise in Hedda Gabbler?

• fact that women aren’t allowed to drink, need to be “proper” all the time

• Greek god Dionysus of wine and parties, also said to have dual nature, one full of joy and other filled with rage (parallel with Loveborg, happy and creative but struggles with wine addiction)

What does Thea’s hair symbolise?

the feminine traits which Hedda doesn’t posses

Give quotes for Thea’s hair in comparison to Hedda’s

• Hedda: “Her hair is of an agreeable brown, but not particularly abundant.”

• Thea: “Her hair is remarkably light, almost flaxen, and unusually abundant and wavy.”

What is the symbolism of the basement in the Keller’s house? put quote too

• lies beneath the Keller house that weighs on the Keller’s

• also represents the crime Keller’s life and success was built on as Joe make the little children that the basement is a jail

• “KELLER: Bert, on my word of honor, there’s a jail in the basement. I showed you my gun, didn’t I?”