In the story of Hedda Gabler, Hedda is portrayed as a powerful, manipulative, over-powering character. Her need to dominate is easily seen through her odd relationships involving her husband Jurgen Tesman, Judge Brack, Ejlert Loevborg, and even her childhood friend Mrs. Elvsted. The underlying theme is that of manipulation and the urge to better the outcome of situations by the main character Hedda Tesman. The theme is apparent even in the story's title, Hedda Gabler (…showed first 75 words of 484 total…

…showed last 75 words of 484 total…a sense of relief!" She slips away to a back room and shoots herself, committing suicide and ending the story. Although Hedda's manipulation of events may seem selfish, she was simply trying to make things 'more beautiful' in a twisted artistic way. The theme of this story is that of the social domination employed by the mentally disturbed Hedda Tesman and her desire to be an artist that controls the outcome of real life situations.