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.