"The Wild Duck" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

Gregers Werle

Gregers Werle is the protagonist of the novel. He is a relentless idealist and moralist who strongly believes in the importance of truth and sincerity.

Hedvig Ekdal

Hedvig Ekdal plays a major role in the story, representing innocence and vulnerability. She is a young girl caught in the conflicts and secrets of the adult world.

Hjalmar Ekdal

Hjalmar Ekdal is another major character who is Hedvig's father. He is a dreamy and self-absorbed inventor who is unaware of the realities around him.

Gina Ekdal

Gina Ekdal is Hjalmar's wife and Hedvig's mother. She is a practical and caring woman who tries to keep the peace between her husband and Gregers.

Old Ekdal

Old Ekdal is Hjalmar's father who has served time in prison. He is a lively and cheerful elderly man, haunted by his past and living in a fantasy world.

Relling

Relling is a supporting character in the story, a cynical and sarcastic doctor who serves as a foil to Gregers. He functions as a voice of reason and practicality.

Molvik

Molvik is another supporting character, a melancholic and desolate person who is a constant visitor in the Ekdal household.

Character Descriptions

Gregers Werle

Gregers Werle is a middle-aged man with a serious and intense demeanor. He is haunted by his mother's tragic death and has a strong sense of justice and morality.

Hedvig Ekdal

Hedvig Ekdal is a young teenage girl with a gentle and innocent nature. She is portrayed as fragile and ethereal, with her long hair and delicate features.

Hjalmar Ekdal

Hjalmar Ekdal is a middle-aged man with a dreamy and absent-minded disposition. He is constantly preoccupied with his inventions but lacks practical skills.

Gina Ekdal

Gina Ekdal is an attractive woman in her late thirties. She is described as a practical and sensible person, striving to maintain harmony within her family.

Old Ekdal

Old Ekdal is an elderly man in his seventies. Despite his age, he remains energetic and active, but he is haunted by his past and lives in a delusional world.

Relling

Relling is a middle-aged man with a sarcastic and cynical attitude. He often appears detached from emotions and critical of Gregers' idealism.

Molvik

Molvik is a tall, thin man in his forties. He is always dressed in black and carries an air of melancholy and sadness wherever he goes.

Character Traits

Gregers Werle

• Idealistic
• Moralistic
• Intense
• Serious
• Impulsive

Hedvig Ekdal

• Innocent
• Vulnerable
• Sensitive
• Curious
• Trusting

Hjalmar Ekdal

• Dreamy
• Absent-minded
• Self-absorbed
• Delusional
• Naive

Gina Ekdal

• Practical
• Caring
• Empathetic
• Diplomatic
• Resourceful

Old Ekdal

• Lively
• Cheerful
• Delusional
• Fantastical
• Haunted

Relling

• Cynical
• Sarcastic
• Realistic
• Detached
• Pragmatic

Molvik

• Melancholic
• Desolate
• Mysterious
• Dependent
• Lonely

Character Background

Gregers Werle

Gregers Werle had a difficult childhood, as his mother was allegedly unfaithful to his father. This event shaped his idealistic worldview and fueled his desire for truth.

Hedvig Ekdal

Hedvig Ekdal is the daughter of Hjalmar and Gina Ekdal. She grew up in a dysfunctional family environment, surrounded by secrets and conflicts.

Hjalmar Ekdal

Hjalmar Ekdal comes from a modest background and has always aspired to become a great inventor. He married Gina and struggles to balance his dreams with reality.

Gina Ekdal

Gina Ekdal used to work as a servant for the wealthy Werle family. She married Hjalmar but still feels a certain loyalty towards her former employer.

Old Ekdal

Old Ekdal served time in prison for a crime related to embezzlement. He now lives in a dilapidated apartment with his son Hjalmar, trying to escape his haunting memories.

Relling

Relling is a doctor who tries to present a realistic and practical view of life to the Ekdal family. He brings a dose of cynicism and skepticism to the story.

Molvik

Molvik is a mysterious character whose history is shrouded in secrecy. He is often melancholic and appears to be living a lonely and unfulfilled life.

Character Arcs

Gregers Werle

Gregers Werle undergoes a significant character arc throughout the story. Initially consumed by his idealistic beliefs, he slowly realizes the consequences of his actions and learns to accept the complexities of human nature.

Hedvig Ekdal

Hedvig Ekdal experiences a tragic character arc, as she becomes caught in the crossfire of the conflicts between Gregers, Hjalmar, and her parents. Her innocent nature ultimately leads to her demise.

Hjalmar Ekdal

Hjalmar Ekdal goes through a gradual transformation from a dreamy and self-absorbed individual to someone who must confront the harsh realities of life. He learns to accept his responsibility as a father and husband.

Gina Ekdal

Gina Ekdal shows unwavering loyalty and resilience throughout the story. She tries to keep the peace in the family but realizes that her actions have unintended consequences.

Old Ekdal

Old Ekdal remains largely unchanged throughout the story, relying on his delusions to cope with his troubled past. However, he provides moments of clarity and insight for other characters.

Relling

Relling, although a supporting character, serves as a consistent voice of reason and practicality. He remains true to his cynical outlook and serves as a grounding force in the narrative.

Molvik

Molvik's character arc is smaller compared to others. He represents a constant presence of melancholy and sadness, emphasizing the emotional turmoil experienced by the other characters.

Relationships

• Gregers Werle and Hedvig Ekdal: Gregers develops a close bond with Hedvig, seeing her as the embodiment of innocence and purity. However, their relationship becomes increasingly complex as the story unfolds.
• Hjalmar Ekdal and Gina Ekdal: Hjalmar and Gina's relationship is strained due to their own personal issues and the presence of Gregers. They struggle to maintain harmony within their marriage.
• Hjalmar Ekdal and Old Ekdal: Hjalmar cares for his father but is burdened by the resentment he holds due to Old Ekdal's past actions.
• Gregers Werle and Relling: Gregers and Relling have a combative relationship, as they represent opposing viewpoints. Relling tries to bring Gregers back to reality by challenging his idealism.
• Molvik and Hedvig Ekdal: Molvik displays a peculiar interest in Hedvig, creating an ambiguous relationship that raises questions about his intentions and motives.

In conclusion, the characters in "The Wild Duck" each have unique traits and backgrounds that contribute to the overall narrative. Their relationships and character arcs add depth and complexity to the story, making it a compelling exploration of human nature and the consequences of idealism.