Question

Early in Act 4, Aunt Juliana uses a metaphor in calling the Tesmans’ home “the house of life.” Why is this metaphor ironic?

Answer 1

It turns into a house of death at the end.

In the play, Hedd Gabler, "the house of life" becomes a hour of death. By the end of the play, Hedda talks Lovborg into committing suicide. She also ends up committing suicide. Because of these deaths, the house turns into one of death. Irony is when something happens that is the opposite of what is expected. Because of Aunt Juliana's statement, the reader does not expect the house to become one of death.

Answer 2

It turns into a house of death at the end