Sunday, October 26, 2008
"one cock of the walk"
I would say the "one cock of the walk" line by Judge Brack is in reference to how he wishes to be the main "man of the house" or at least in Hedda's life. However, Judge Brack does mention that "All [he] want[s] is to have a warm circle of intimate friends, where [he] can be of use one way or another, with the freedom to come and go as-as a trusted friend-" (252). Later Brack makes it apparent that he would allow not another man to intrude into this triangular arrangement. (Referring to Eilert Lovbourg) "Yes. I'll admit I'd find it more than annoying if that gentleman were to have free access here. If he came like an intruder, an irrelevancy, forcing his way into- (Spoken by Hedda) "Into the triangle?" (Again, Brack) "Precisely." (282). Later Brack again admits that what he wants is to be the one cock of the walk. "Yes, that's what I want to be. And that's what I'll fight for-with every means at my disposal" (282). It is obvious that Brack is more than serious about his intentions in gaining his "one cock of the walk" status. Throughout the play his actions reflect his promise to fight for it by any means necessary. It is observable how Brack especially uses his control as a Judge in order to maintain this position in Hedda's life.
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6 comments:
I agree I definetely think that Brack is after power and the power that comes with being the head of a household in this time. He wants to be the most powerful or the "one cock of the walk" with no one else to stand in his way.
Thanks for dedicating an entire blog to my question it really means alot... so basically he [Brack] is really into the term friends with benefits or swingers.. and merely only wants a shallow relationship with many friends instead of getting the satisfaction out of a deep loving and trusting relationship where people can just say whatever it is that is on their minds or supporting each other?
I agree with that too.
I think Brack always wanted power but Hedda always stood in his way.
So once he had the chance to take that power away from her and control it, he didn't hesitate.
Si, senor Brack nesesito mucho power y el no le gusta la power de Hedda. No le gusta la power de Hedda porque el era un hombre y en el tiempo un hombre debe tener el POWER.
(yes mr. brack needs much power and he did not like the power of Hedda. He did not like Hedda's power because he was a man and en the time period a man was unfortunately supposed to be in control and have power.)
Thanks for the analysis. It makes perfect sense. Brack totally wants to have power over the people in his life. We see him take possession of any power Hedda may have thought she had when he takes the pistol from her hands. He wants to be the "one cock of the walk" and quite frankly he probably could have achieved this status if Hedda would not have committed suicide. Even still in doing so Hedda shows how powerful Brack is. Knowing that he would have ruled her life drove Hedda to just end it all. That's pretty wack.
i agree. brack is completely after power and control, and does not want anyone else to have it. he seems to really have had practice in taking power away from people, and hasn't really had any challengers in that until hedda.
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