The Wild Duck’s Hedvig: An Adolescent Dragged to Suicide
Keywords:
Suicide, adolescent, sacrifice, neglect, conflict, family
Abstract
Adolescents predominantly experience fluctuations and turmoil during a stage that witnesses conflicts of multiple forms emanating from a wide variety of sources. Such individuals wallow in the mire of crises that start with quarrels within the family and self-harm, pass through drug abuse and end in suicide. It is the latter phenomenon that this paper seeks an investigation of, in particular as regards the suicide of Hedvig Ekdal in Henrik Ibsen’s play, The Wild Duck. Controversy looms large in the critical interpretations of Hedvig’s suicide, some construing it as an accidental fate, others accusing Gregers Werle, or blaming her father, Hjalmar, and still others seeing her mother, Gina, as the perpetrator. No matter who the culprit is, literature seems short of investigating the roots of this suicide from socio-psychological perspectives. This paper thus picks up the gap in existing literature so as to clarify why the sensitive adolescent girl, Hedvig, takes the matter of ending her life into her own hands.
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References
1. Ibsen, H. (1962). The Wild Duck. In O. Reinert (Ed. & Trans.). Modern Drama: Nine Plays (pp. 1-83). Little, Brown and Company. (Original published 1884).
2. Berman, A. L. (1991). Adolescent suicide: Assessment and intervention. American Psychological Association. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid1991berm/page/78/mode/2up
3. Braga, W. d. C. (1989). Youth suicide risk assessment: Process and model. In B. Garfinkel & G. Northrup (Eds.), Adolescent suicide: Recognition, treatment and prevention (pp. 1-21). The Howarth Press. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000unse_v3r8/page/40/mode/2up
4. Carr, A. (2002). Depression and attempted suicide in adolescence. (M. Herbert, Ed.). BPS Blackwell.
5. Clurman, H. (1977). Ibsen. The Macmillan Press. https://archive.org/details/ibsen0000clur/page/126/mode/2up
6. Diamond, G. S., Wintersteen, M. B., Brown, G. K., Diamond, G. M., Gallop, R. Shelef, K. & Levy, S. (2010). Attachment-based family therapy for adolescents with suicidal ideation: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 49(2). 122-131. http://jdc.jefferson.edu/phbfp/8
7. Finch, S. M., & Poznanski, E. O. (1971). Adolescent suicide. Charles C. Thomas Publisher. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000finc/page/n5/mode/2up
8. Finney, G. (1994). Ibsen and feminism. In J. McFarlane (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to Henrik Ibsen (pp. 89-105). Cambridge University Press. https://archive.org/details/cambridgecompani0000unse_e1q1/page/n7/mode/2up
9. [From a pseudonymous notice by ‘Mordred’, referee]. (1905, October 22). In M. Egan (Ed.). (2003). Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 429-432). Routledge. https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
10. [From unsigned theatre comment, Referee]. (1905, October 29). In M. Egan (Ed.). (2003). Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 432-444). Routledge. https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
11. Fulsas, N. & Rem, T. (2018). Ibsen, Scandinavia and the making of a world drama. Cambridge University Press. https://books.google.com.lb/books?id=i_o6DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ibsen,+Scandinavia+and+the+Making+of+a+World+Drama&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Ibsen%2C%20Scandinavia%20and%20the%20Making%20of%20a%20World%20Drama&f=false
12. Goldman, M. (1999). Eyolf’s eyes: Ibsen and the cultural meanings of child abuse. In H. Bloom, (Ed.). Henrik Ibsen: Modern critical views (pp. 197-218). Chelsea House Publishers. (Reprinted from “Eyolf’s eyes: Ibsen and the cultural meanings of child abuse, 1994, American Imago, 51(3), 279-306). https://archive.org/details/henrikibsenmcvbl00haro
13. Gosse, E. (2003). Ibsen’s social dramas. In M. Egan (Ed.). Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 77-94). Routledge. (Reprinted from “Ibsen’s social dramas”, 1889, Fortnightly Review, 14, 107–21) https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
14. Gould, M. S., Shaffer, D. & Greenberg, T. (2003). The Epidemiology of Youth Suicide. In R. A. King & A. Apter. (Eds.). Suicide in Children and Adolescents (pp. 1-40). https://archive.org/details/suicideinchildre0000unse_m8x9/page/40/mode/2up
15. Harad, A. (2005). Ibsen’s themes and symbols. In C. B. Johnson (Ed.), Four great plays: A doll's house, the wild duck, hedda gabler, the master builder (pp. 410-412). Pocket Books. https://archive.org/details/fourgreatplays00ibse_0
16. Hawton, K. (1986). Suicide and attempted suicide among children and adolescents. Sage Publications. https://archive.org/details/suicideattempted0000hawt/page/n5/mode/2up
17. Hoberman, H. (1989). Completed suicide in children and adolescents: A review. In B. Garfinkel and G. Northrup (Eds.), Adolescent suicide: Recognition, treatment and prevention (pp. 60-88). The Howarth Press. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000unse_v3r8/page/40/mode/2up
18. Jones, H. A. (2003). The unfortunate depravity but enlivening influence of Ibsen. In M. Egan (Ed.), Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 233-234). Routledge. (Reprinted from “The unfortunate depravity but enlivening influence of Ibsen”, 1891, Era). https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
19. Jurich, A. P. (2008). Family therapy with suicidal adolescents. Routledge. https://archive.org/details/familytherapywit0000juri/page/n7/mode/2up
20. Leehey, K. (1991). Teens at risk: How to recognize and prevent adolescent suicide. https://archive.org/details/teensatriskhowto00leeh/page/42/mode/2up
21. Macfall, H. (1907). Ibsen: The man, his art and his significance. Morgan Shepard Company. https://archive.org/details/ibsenmanhisartan00macfuoft/page/256/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater
22. McFarlane, J. W. (1971). Preface. In J. W. McFarlane (Ed. & Trans.), Ibsen: Plays; An enemy of the people, the wild duck, Rosmersholm (pp. ix-xxv). Oxford University Press. https://archive.org/details/ibsenplays00ibse/page/128/mode/2up
23. Meyer, M. (1980). Ibsen: A biographical approach. In E. Durbach (Ed.), Ibsen and the theatre: The dramatist in production (pp. 14-26). New York University Press. (Reprinted from Biography of Ibsen, by M. Meyer, 1967, Hart-Davis) https://archive.org/details/ibsentheatredram0000unse/page/26/mode/2up
24. Miller, D. N. (2011). Child and adolescent suicidal behavior: School-based prevention, assessment and intervention. The Guilford Press. https://archive.org/details/childadolescents0000mill
25. Moi, T. (2005). “It was as if he meant something different from what he said – all the time": Language, metaphysics, and the everyday in the wild duck. In C. B. Johnson (Ed.), Four great plays: A doll's house, the wild duck, hedda gabler, the master builder. (pp. 421-422). Pocket Books. (Reprinted from “It was as if he meant something different from what he said – all the time": Language, metaphysics, and the everyday in the wild duck, 2002, New Literary History: A Journal of Theory and Interpretation) https://archive.org/details/fourgreatplays00ibse_0
26. Northam, J. (1999). The wild duck. In H. Bloom (Ed.), Henrik Ibsen: Modern critical views. (pp. 59-85). Chelsea House Publishers. (Reprinted from Ibsen: A critical study, by J. Northam, 1973, Cambridge University Press) https://archive.org/details/henrikibsenmcvbl00haro
27. Østerud, E. (1996). Henrik Ibsen’s theatre mask. Tableau, absorption and theatricality in the wild duck. Orbis Litterarum. 51(3). 148-177. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230547936_Henrik_Ibsen's_Theatre_Mask_Tableau_Absorption_and_Theatricality_in_The_Wild_Duck
28. Santrock, J. W. (2001). Adolescence. McGraw-Hill. https://archive.org/details/adolescence00sant_0/page/n5/mode/2up
29. Shaw, G. B. (1891). The quintessence of Ibsenism. Walter Scott. https://archive.org/details/quintessenceofib00shawrich/page/98/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater
30. Slaby, A. E. & McGuire, P. L. (1989). Residential management of suicidal adolescents. In B. Garfinkel & G. Northrup (Eds.), Adolescent suicide: Recognition, treatment and prevention (pp. 23-43). The Howarth Press. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000unse_v3r8/page/40/mode/2up
31. Sprinchorn, E. (1980). Ibsen and the actors. In E. Durbach (Ed.), Ibsen and the theatre: The dramatist in production (pp. 118-130). New York University Press. https://archive.org/details/ibsentheatredram0000unse/page/26/mode/2up
32. Viesland, J. (2005). The ethics of aesthetics: Decadence in Henrik Ibsen's the wild duck. Ibsen Studies. 5(1). 48-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15021860510032790
33. Wagner, B. M. (2009). Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. Yale University. https://archive.org/details/suicidalbehavior0000wagn/page/n5/mode/2up
2. Berman, A. L. (1991). Adolescent suicide: Assessment and intervention. American Psychological Association. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid1991berm/page/78/mode/2up
3. Braga, W. d. C. (1989). Youth suicide risk assessment: Process and model. In B. Garfinkel & G. Northrup (Eds.), Adolescent suicide: Recognition, treatment and prevention (pp. 1-21). The Howarth Press. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000unse_v3r8/page/40/mode/2up
4. Carr, A. (2002). Depression and attempted suicide in adolescence. (M. Herbert, Ed.). BPS Blackwell.
5. Clurman, H. (1977). Ibsen. The Macmillan Press. https://archive.org/details/ibsen0000clur/page/126/mode/2up
6. Diamond, G. S., Wintersteen, M. B., Brown, G. K., Diamond, G. M., Gallop, R. Shelef, K. & Levy, S. (2010). Attachment-based family therapy for adolescents with suicidal ideation: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 49(2). 122-131. http://jdc.jefferson.edu/phbfp/8
7. Finch, S. M., & Poznanski, E. O. (1971). Adolescent suicide. Charles C. Thomas Publisher. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000finc/page/n5/mode/2up
8. Finney, G. (1994). Ibsen and feminism. In J. McFarlane (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to Henrik Ibsen (pp. 89-105). Cambridge University Press. https://archive.org/details/cambridgecompani0000unse_e1q1/page/n7/mode/2up
9. [From a pseudonymous notice by ‘Mordred’, referee]. (1905, October 22). In M. Egan (Ed.). (2003). Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 429-432). Routledge. https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
10. [From unsigned theatre comment, Referee]. (1905, October 29). In M. Egan (Ed.). (2003). Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 432-444). Routledge. https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
11. Fulsas, N. & Rem, T. (2018). Ibsen, Scandinavia and the making of a world drama. Cambridge University Press. https://books.google.com.lb/books?id=i_o6DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Ibsen,+Scandinavia+and+the+Making+of+a+World+Drama&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Ibsen%2C%20Scandinavia%20and%20the%20Making%20of%20a%20World%20Drama&f=false
12. Goldman, M. (1999). Eyolf’s eyes: Ibsen and the cultural meanings of child abuse. In H. Bloom, (Ed.). Henrik Ibsen: Modern critical views (pp. 197-218). Chelsea House Publishers. (Reprinted from “Eyolf’s eyes: Ibsen and the cultural meanings of child abuse, 1994, American Imago, 51(3), 279-306). https://archive.org/details/henrikibsenmcvbl00haro
13. Gosse, E. (2003). Ibsen’s social dramas. In M. Egan (Ed.). Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 77-94). Routledge. (Reprinted from “Ibsen’s social dramas”, 1889, Fortnightly Review, 14, 107–21) https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
14. Gould, M. S., Shaffer, D. & Greenberg, T. (2003). The Epidemiology of Youth Suicide. In R. A. King & A. Apter. (Eds.). Suicide in Children and Adolescents (pp. 1-40). https://archive.org/details/suicideinchildre0000unse_m8x9/page/40/mode/2up
15. Harad, A. (2005). Ibsen’s themes and symbols. In C. B. Johnson (Ed.), Four great plays: A doll's house, the wild duck, hedda gabler, the master builder (pp. 410-412). Pocket Books. https://archive.org/details/fourgreatplays00ibse_0
16. Hawton, K. (1986). Suicide and attempted suicide among children and adolescents. Sage Publications. https://archive.org/details/suicideattempted0000hawt/page/n5/mode/2up
17. Hoberman, H. (1989). Completed suicide in children and adolescents: A review. In B. Garfinkel and G. Northrup (Eds.), Adolescent suicide: Recognition, treatment and prevention (pp. 60-88). The Howarth Press. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000unse_v3r8/page/40/mode/2up
18. Jones, H. A. (2003). The unfortunate depravity but enlivening influence of Ibsen. In M. Egan (Ed.), Henrik Ibsen: The critical heritage (pp. 233-234). Routledge. (Reprinted from “The unfortunate depravity but enlivening influence of Ibsen”, 1891, Era). https://www.pdfdrive.com/henrik-ibsen-critical-heritage-series-e159043074.html
19. Jurich, A. P. (2008). Family therapy with suicidal adolescents. Routledge. https://archive.org/details/familytherapywit0000juri/page/n7/mode/2up
20. Leehey, K. (1991). Teens at risk: How to recognize and prevent adolescent suicide. https://archive.org/details/teensatriskhowto00leeh/page/42/mode/2up
21. Macfall, H. (1907). Ibsen: The man, his art and his significance. Morgan Shepard Company. https://archive.org/details/ibsenmanhisartan00macfuoft/page/256/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater
22. McFarlane, J. W. (1971). Preface. In J. W. McFarlane (Ed. & Trans.), Ibsen: Plays; An enemy of the people, the wild duck, Rosmersholm (pp. ix-xxv). Oxford University Press. https://archive.org/details/ibsenplays00ibse/page/128/mode/2up
23. Meyer, M. (1980). Ibsen: A biographical approach. In E. Durbach (Ed.), Ibsen and the theatre: The dramatist in production (pp. 14-26). New York University Press. (Reprinted from Biography of Ibsen, by M. Meyer, 1967, Hart-Davis) https://archive.org/details/ibsentheatredram0000unse/page/26/mode/2up
24. Miller, D. N. (2011). Child and adolescent suicidal behavior: School-based prevention, assessment and intervention. The Guilford Press. https://archive.org/details/childadolescents0000mill
25. Moi, T. (2005). “It was as if he meant something different from what he said – all the time": Language, metaphysics, and the everyday in the wild duck. In C. B. Johnson (Ed.), Four great plays: A doll's house, the wild duck, hedda gabler, the master builder. (pp. 421-422). Pocket Books. (Reprinted from “It was as if he meant something different from what he said – all the time": Language, metaphysics, and the everyday in the wild duck, 2002, New Literary History: A Journal of Theory and Interpretation) https://archive.org/details/fourgreatplays00ibse_0
26. Northam, J. (1999). The wild duck. In H. Bloom (Ed.), Henrik Ibsen: Modern critical views. (pp. 59-85). Chelsea House Publishers. (Reprinted from Ibsen: A critical study, by J. Northam, 1973, Cambridge University Press) https://archive.org/details/henrikibsenmcvbl00haro
27. Østerud, E. (1996). Henrik Ibsen’s theatre mask. Tableau, absorption and theatricality in the wild duck. Orbis Litterarum. 51(3). 148-177. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230547936_Henrik_Ibsen's_Theatre_Mask_Tableau_Absorption_and_Theatricality_in_The_Wild_Duck
28. Santrock, J. W. (2001). Adolescence. McGraw-Hill. https://archive.org/details/adolescence00sant_0/page/n5/mode/2up
29. Shaw, G. B. (1891). The quintessence of Ibsenism. Walter Scott. https://archive.org/details/quintessenceofib00shawrich/page/98/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater
30. Slaby, A. E. & McGuire, P. L. (1989). Residential management of suicidal adolescents. In B. Garfinkel & G. Northrup (Eds.), Adolescent suicide: Recognition, treatment and prevention (pp. 23-43). The Howarth Press. https://archive.org/details/adolescentsuicid0000unse_v3r8/page/40/mode/2up
31. Sprinchorn, E. (1980). Ibsen and the actors. In E. Durbach (Ed.), Ibsen and the theatre: The dramatist in production (pp. 118-130). New York University Press. https://archive.org/details/ibsentheatredram0000unse/page/26/mode/2up
32. Viesland, J. (2005). The ethics of aesthetics: Decadence in Henrik Ibsen's the wild duck. Ibsen Studies. 5(1). 48-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15021860510032790
33. Wagner, B. M. (2009). Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. Yale University. https://archive.org/details/suicidalbehavior0000wagn/page/n5/mode/2up
Published
2023-05-29
How to Cite
Fahes, S. (2023). The Wild Duck’s Hedvig: An Adolescent Dragged to Suicide. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 17, 477. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/16786
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2023 Safaa Fahes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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