The Wild Duck Journal 2

Ibsen uses the motif of decay to represent control.  Hedvig has many of her freedoms restricted because of her failing eyesight. "Gregers. But of course you don't have much free time; you do go to school, don't you? Hedvig. No, not anymore. Daddy's afraid I'll hurt my eyes," (162) Hedvig is no longer allowed to go to school because he dad feels it will weaken her eye sight, showing how the decay of her eyesight controls part of her life. Hedvig isn't the only character struggling with control of their life.  "I have to spare my eyes, Gregers; they're beginning to fail." (133) Mr. Werle is also loosing his eyesight, making him unable to do his work like he used to. Ibsen also uses the motif of Disease to justify Gregers actions. "Relling. All right, I'll tell you, Mrs. Ekdal. He's Suffering from an acute case of moralistic fever." (178) This makes it seem like Gregers isn't really acting on his own choice but rather being controlled by his "disease".