The wild Duck 1885 is one of the most famous plays of Henrik Ibsen. It seemed to contradict one of the principal doctrines, which Ibsen had been preaching: the importance of ideals and the sin of compromise. The major theme of the play is realism vs. idealism. From the very first act, the antagonism between the two concepts is established. Hakon Werle, the father, is a realist about life, love, and business. He has allowed Old Ekdal to take all the blame and go to prison for their scheme to cut down timber from public lands. He has encouraged...
to sacrifice the duck, her most precious possession, to prove her love for her father. Hedvig will enter the garret to kill the duck but end by killing herself. The play ends in tragedy, for Hialmar destroys himself. He is unable to forgive Gina for having been Werle"s mistress and repulses Hedvig"s affectionate advances because he thinks she is Werle"s daughter. Hedvig, who adores her father, cannot bear his rejection. She, therefore, shoots herself in order to prove her love for him. Hialmar is repentant for his actions, but it is too late; the tragic damage is done.