The Wild Duck Journal 3

Page 169 Hjalmar- "In that critical moment I won a victory over myself.  I stayed alive.  But you can bet it takes courage to choose life in those situations."

                Gregers- "Well, that depends on your point of view."

In this case, Hjalmar is talking to Gregers about how he almost committed suicide.  This quote shows how Hjalmar chose to be strong and overcome his impulsive feelings.  Gregers believes that it would have taken more courage to kill himself than to spare his life.

Page 171 Relling- "You see, Mr. Molvik is demonic."

In the beginning of the act, we are introduced to Relling and Molvik.  I thought this was interesting because when one describes a priest, they would not usually use the word "demonic".  When I think ot the word demonic, I think of evil, devilish, and impure.  Molvik is a priest, but through other quotes we discover that Molvik is a drunkard and alcoholic.  Relling describes him as demonic because priests are supposed to be pure and free from sin, while Molvik gets drunk.

Page 173 Hjalmar- "Yes Gina– you're a good companion for life's journey, you are"

When I read this, I thought it was interesting because even though husband and wives may describe themselves as companions to one another, it seems like the word companion might not be the right word.  When I think of companions, I think of friends, people that simply help one another or are well acquainted with one another.  Hjalmar does not appreciate her and suggests that his wife is merely a helper, or insubstantial other that he simply 'goes on' through life with.

Page 173 Hjalmar- "Hedvig, I've resolved to make your future secure.  You'll be well taken care of as long as you live.  I'll make sure you're provided with–something or other."

An interesting side of Hjalmar appears within this quote.  It suggests that Hjalmar is not dedicated to his daughter because he has not decided what he will do to give her future security.  This quote suggests that maybe Hjalmar is not as connected with Hedvig as he appears to be.

Page 174 Gregers- "I, for my part. don' thrive in marsh gas."

                Gina- "Lord knows there isn't any marsh gas here, Mr. Werle; every blessed day I air the place out"

                Gregers- "You can't air out the stench I mean"

This quote shows a tension building between Gregers and Gina.  With marsh gas being foggy, unclear, and impure, by connecting it with the Ekdal household, Gregers implies that the Ekdal household is full of lies and deceit.  When he says that you cant air out the stench of the marsh gas, he may mean that if damage is done, and things are attempted to be fixed, then there will still be some kind of remaining impurity that will linger among the relationship.  This impurity could be mistrust, or disloyalty to one another. 

The Wild Duck Journal 2

 In Act 2, Ibsen shows Hedvigs perception of Hjalmar.  Hedvig seems to look up to her father and show great respect for him.  She respects him so much that it gets to the point at which she starts to idolize her father.  When he arrives at his home she offers to take off his jacket for him, which, is not an uncommon act of kindness for family members to do for one another.  By looking at this, one may think that she is just an average loving daughter.  However, in other instances, Hedvig pictures him as being much more idealistic.  Before he had come home from the party, Hedvig is describing how her father will feel when he comes home.  "Just think, all the lovely food Daddy's eaten!  I'm sure he'll be happy and content when he comes." (139).  She automatically assumes that because he is going to an extremely fancy dinner party which he will have a good time at, and there will be nothing but good things that come from going to it.  Hedvig perceives him as a very trustworthy and respectable person.  "Out with it Daddy.  You know–all the treats you promised me." (143).  She expects him to bring her home "treats" after a long night of talking and conversing with people.  This shows she trusts him enough to know that he will keep her in mind throughout the night while he is busy talking with guests and being distracted by other matters.

The Wild Duck Journal 1

Ibsen creates many boundaries between characters and social groups/norms in The Wild Duck.  Of these,  there can be physical boundaries but the most prominent boundaries are portrayed as social, and mental boundaries.  The mental/social boundaries can be displayed as someone being uncomfortable or agitated by another person or social group.

An example of one of the boundaries Ibsen creates is the boundary between the different groups of servants.  On page 121, Ibsen uses punctuation and tone to convey this boundary.  Mrs. Sørby walks in to the  room and says "Petterson, will you have coffee served in the dining room."  She displays that she is not interested in formally addressing Petterson, and in a way gives him a command to go do something.  By taking a question– "Will you have coffee served in the dining room?" and warping it into a statement– "Will you have coffee served in the dining room." she forms her sentence in a way that makes it more likely she will get an answer that she wants.  By making the question into a statement, that Petterson will, in fact, go serve coffee, she commands him to do so and distances herself from him.  She does not allow him to espress his own answer, eliminating Petterson's individualism.  Mrs. Sørby creates a barrier between them by making Petterson inferior to herself.