The Wild Duck Journal 2

            Hjalmar perceives Gregers in a bad way. “Well, he doesn’t look any better” (141). Usually good friends don’t talk about bad things behind the other friend’s back. When Gina asks if Gregers is still ugly, instead of defend his friend, Hjalmar agrees and says Gregers’ physical appearance hasn’t improved. Hjalmar also thinks he is assertive and powerful. “One mustn’t be a doormat for every passing foot. At least, that’s not my way” (142). His confidence is a false façade that he gets from being ignorant about his economic dependence on Werle. He embraces this false façade with his ignorance. Gregers and Gina know about Hjalmar’s false conceptions about himself. Gina wants to ignore it because she doesn’t want to hurt Hjalmar but Gregers wants to tell Hjalmar the truth because he is also trying to help Hjalmar.

Hjalmar thinks his family exists only to please him. After he comes home from the dinner party, Hedvig asks if Hjalmar brought anything home from the dinner party for her. Even though his family does so much for Hjalmar, he forgets and decides to have Hedvig “read the menu aloud, I’ll describe for you just how each dish tasted” (144). Hedvig is extremely disappointed and nearly cries. Hjalmar then says “ What incredible things a family breadwinner is asked to remember; and if he forgets even the tiniest detail-immediately he’s met with sour faces” (144). This quote shows Hjalmar’s false perception that his family is only there to please him.

Hjalmar thinks he is a hard worker but how can he be a hard worker if he is only receiving money from Werle, going to dinner parties and having his family keep track of the business and the money. “I’ll be deep in work tomorrow’ there will be no lack of that” (154). Hjalmar is a hypocrite because he was criticizing his wife’s ability to advertise their business but Hjalmar has done nothing to help the business. His self-perception of being a hard worker is distorted and he clings to that vision. Hjalmar also thinks he is strong. He says, “He has broad shoulders- powerful shoulders” (156). This may or may not be true. Hjalmar could be physically strong but he is also talking bout being strong socially. He is not socially strong. He is dependent on Werle for a living.