Journal #1- Wild Duck

Throughout the play we can see that Hjalmar has false perceptions of himself. Towards the end of Act 2 Hjalmar discusses how humiliating his father's behavior is and says that helping him return his status is his mission in life. He says that he is independently fixed, and that is what helps him pursue his dream, when in reality the generous donations from Mr. Werle are what is keeping the family economically alfoat. Hjalmar is also always talking about how he is always constantly working on an invention, and that it keeps him busy. He claims that it extends his craft to unimaginable heights, however when Gregers asks for specifics Hjalmar becomes defensive and tells him not to ask questions like that. Later on we can see Hjalmar at "work" during which he does nothing more than sit in his chair in the study and think, or more likely get distracted from all of the oddities on the walls. From these examples it becomes pretty clear that Hjalmar believes that he is a powerful head of the household, when in reality he spends most of his time doing nothing, making no progress on his "life mission". He believes that his photography business is doing quite well however it is just Mr. Werle's charitable donations that are providing the family with any source of real income.
Not surprisingly, Hjalmar also has false presumptions about other characters in the play. When he is first speaking with Gregers at the dinner party he tells him that he is relieved to find out that Gregers no longer has anything him. Gregers replies in shock telling Hjalmar that that was never the case. Unconvinced, Hjalmar continues to try and prod the truth out of Gregers: "I know you did, Gregers; it was your father himself who told me" (123). From this we can see that not only does Hjalmar have misconceptions regarding his friend Gregers, but also in regards to Mr. Werle as well, seeming to think that he is quite trustworthy when in fact he is the one doing his best to keep Hjalmar in the dark.
Gregers is definitely one who recognizes the facade that Hjalmar is living in. Out of either guilt or revenge against his father, he tirelessly pursues to reveal the truth to Hjalmar. Although for over fifteen years he has ignored it, Gregers now finds himself unable to continue to let his friend live the lie that has been intricately woven around him for some time now. At first Gregers tries to hint to Hjalmar discreetly that there is definitely something strange about how generous Werle was acting towards Hjalmar both with wealth and his help in getting Hjalmar settled with photography. However, when it doesn't, seem to register with him, Gregers takes Hjalmar on a walk and reveals to him the devastating truth that Hjalmar must now confront.