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.