The Wild Duck Study Guide

The Wild Duck

The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen

The Wild Duck looks at the tragedy that can occur when a person is forced to confront the truth. After Gregers Werle returns home from an exile, he learns that his father, Hakon, had an affair with the wife of Hjalmar Ekdal, a former schoolmate of Gregers. Gregers is convinced than Hjalmar needs to know about his wife's past behavior, revealing to him that Hedvig, the couple's daughter, might not actually belong to Hjalmar. Rejected by the man she thought was her father, Hedvig ends up committing suicide.

  • Håkon Werle, a wholesale merchant
  • Gregers Werle, his son
  • Old Ekdal, the former business partner of Håkon Werle
  • Hjalmar Ekdal, Old Ekdal's son, a photographer
  • Gina Ekdal, his wife
  • Hedvig, their daughter, aged fourteen
  • Mrs. Sørby, housekeeper and fiancee of Håkon Werle
  • Relling, a doctor, lives below the Ekdals.
  • Molvik, formerly a student of theology, lives below the Ekdals
  • Pettersen, servant to Håkon Werle
  • Jensen, a hired waiter
  • Mr. Balle, a dinner guest
  • Mr. Flor, a dinner guest

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