That Henrik Ibsen as a realist writer portrays Hedda as the epitome of a Victorian housewife limited by Victorian values and confined to a loveless marriage, as she is forced to watch as men they take their life away from their arm. However, Hedda Gabler continually illustrates these psychological processes of fear and courage. She portrays herself as fearless but not courageous, distinguishing the concept of a fearless person rather than someone courageous. Although Hedda Gabler displays a cold and fearless exterior, she is ultimately a coward as she lives through other people, instead of taking her own life into her own hands. He hides behind his boldness and Ibsen notes “…Because I am so afraid of scandal. Yes, Hedda, you are a coward after all. A terrible coward” (Ibsen 40). Her acts are determined by her own nature as she believes she must be fearless, tainted by her own criticisms she finds herself reluctant to believe that her life could change from mediocrity in a Victorian society. She calls herself fearless, but in doing so she loses the courage to face her repressed fears and takes no responsibility for something she believes she has no control over. Fear and Courage: A Psychological Perspective by Stanley J. Rachman observes disposable bomb operators' long experience of fear when they jump as they move from courage to courage.
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