Wild Duck- Journal #2

Ibsen uses the motif of alcohol to represent the the corruption of truth in the novel. Werle gives alcohol to old Ekdal and Hjalmar to keep them from telling the truth or learning the truth. At Werle's party, he offers plenty of alcohol to the guests which both HjLmar and Ekdal attemded. "I hear[...] music room." (121) For example Old Ekdal is the only person that knows that Werle was involved in the scandal that lead to Ekdal's imprisonment. If Ekdal were to share this secret with the community this could diminish the respect that Werle has gained. This is why Werle uses alcohol to suppress Ekdal. "Well[...] better." (130) Werle then uses alcohol to hide the truth about Hedvig from Hjalmar. When Hjalmar is at the party Werle doesn't hesitate to supply alcohol for Hjalmar. It is clear that alcohol supresses his mindset: "Absolutely not[...] then we'll have it cozy." (145) Ibsen uses this motif to represent the control that Werle contains over the community.