Vildanden

Name: Vildanden
Author: Henrik Ibsen

By Henrik Ibsen

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Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

The play follows a web of family secrets and strained loyalties after a returned young man, Gregers Werle, unsettles a household by insisting on exposing an old business scandal that links his father to the downfall of the elderly Ekdal. Hjalmar Ekdal clings to comfortable illusions upheld by his wife Gina and their daughter Hedvig, and a wounded wild duck becomes a private symbol of those delusions. Conflicts between Gregers's moral absolutism and others' pragmatic compromises—especially the counsel of Dr. Relling—escalate until a desperate act by Hedvig ends the household's fragile equilibrium. The drama probes truth versus illusion and the human cost of moral rigor.

About the Author

Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) was a Norwegian playwright and poet, often regarded as the father of modern drama. His works challenged the conventions of 19th-century theatre and explored complex social issues, particularly concerning morality, gender roles, and individual freedom. Ibsen is best known for his groundbreaking play "A Doll's House," which critiques the limitations placed on women in society. Other notable works include "Ghosts," which addresses themes of heredity and societal hypocrisy, and "Hedda Gabler," a study of a woman's struggle against societal expectations. Ibsen's influence extends beyond his time, shaping contemporary theatre and inspiring countless playwrights.