Off the record means they are not giving you permission to use what they’re saying in your article
It might be said that social convention were really marked and important at that time (1890's), the role of the women was very limited and they were supposed to follow and respond to men's decisions. Hedda seems to be socially repressed and she had a good social and economic position. However, in this act she seems to transcend social limits by being authoritative and demanding. She appears to be in control of the situation without following any men. In fact, she even manipulates and commands people around her, both man like Lovborg and woman like Thea.
