Journal 5

I believe that The Wild Duck is not a tragedy. This is because both the fact that the person who dies is usually at a high social or economic place and then the tragedy is their fall itself. However, The Wild Duck does not really have a fall but merely an odd death. Furthermore, there is no clear hero in The Wild Duck, but merely major characters. For this to be a tragedy Hedvig would have to be the hero of the story, however that would be hard to argue. Although early on she stands out as a unique character in the sense that she is arguably the only pure one, she does not play a major role. This changes only after her death where her suicide takes center stage in the play. Also, their extremely docile reaction to the death of her daughter undermines her importance in the overall story.

Journal 4

In this new act, as well as the entire book, it seems no one person shares blame fully. Instead, it is almost as though every character shares a part in the conflict of the book. For one, Gregers is attempting to uncover the truth and is prodding at all characters. This raises tensions, especially Gina, who is acting carefully to preserve the truth from coming to the surface. Then we have Gina to blame because she is the one who is actually constructing the lie as well as maintaining it. She acts almost like the ring master to the circus that is their lives. Next, Hakon Werle is to blame for both having a relationship, as well as having a disfunctional relationship with his son. By not sharing details with his son, Gregers is left to dig for them. Hjalmer is also to blame for his ignorance. However, contrary to Hedvig who is also ignorant, he chooses to be. A specific example of this is when the poisonous vapor is being talked about and he states that no one speaks of such things in his house.

Journal 3

"Ah, thanks. See, dear, it was a good thing I came" (Page 161).

Shows how Hjalmer is constantly trying to create this facade and make himself seem more important.

"My general rule is to delegate the routine matters to her, and that leaves me free to retire to the living room to think over more important things" (Page 167)

Gender issues is discussed here, with Hjalmer thinking her less capable than he.

"Of course it's making progress. Every single day I think about my invention" (Page 169).

Again Hjalmer building himself up.

I wouldn't say you're wounded; but you're wandering in a poisonous swamp, Hjalmar. Youve got an insidious disease in your system and so you've gone to the bottom to die in the dark (Page 170).

Shows Gregers possibly unraveling the truth.

Thanks; that could happen. After all, we had thirteen at the table last night" (Page 171).

Shows Gregers breaking the facade Hjalmer has created, could be a symbol of more to come.

"Ugh, that Gregers Werle-- he was always a cold fish" (Page 178).

Shows how Gina views Gregers.

Journal 2

In the first Act, there is some characterization of Hjalmers - but not much. This contrasts starkly with Act 2 where almost every line helps characterize Hjalmers, but not necessarily in a good way. Through his dialogue, he is almost constantly building himself up and creating a facade of his true life. In this quote he completely negates telling his family what the true number is, even though its extremely likely he remembers. "We were some twelve, fourteen people at the table" (141). This is due to the bad luck surrounding the number as well as the negative comments shot at him by Werle. This same language is then used by Old Ekdal when him, Hjalmer and Gina are discussing his dinner. "Listen to that, Gina! He travels only in the best circles" (142). In this quote Old Ekdal seems extremely sarcastic in the sense that he does not believe that Hjalmer was truly invited to join the group but instead was an outsider, like he was.

Journal 1

There are numerous boundaries in The Wild Duck, including both physical and non-physical. Some examples of this are the fact that Ekdal nearly is not allowed to go through the "private entrance". The fact that he states that he was once essentially allowed to go this way shows us how these non physical boundaries can change. Furthermore, there is even a social boundary when other guests see him and they are almost repulsed. This same boundary goes to the extreme when his own son literally turns his back on him instead of at least saying "hi". Another boundary is again non physical and related to when Werle is speaking to Gregers about the fact that there were 13 guests at the dinner that night. There is a superstitious boundary in the sense that both of them recognize 13 is an unlucky number. However, another social barrier is created when Werle speak in front of Hjalmer about how he is essentially unwelcome, or at least makes him feel as such.