In the Wild Duck, Henrik Ibsen begins his play by emphasizing the .

             He uses the theme of light to contrast Old .

             Werle, a stingy rich man, with Old Ekdal, a poor helpless man. Ibsen .

             connects the color green with the loss of eyesight of Old Werle. A .

             possible affair between Old Werle and Gina, Hedvig's mother, may .

             suggest the cause of Hedvig's loss of sight. By using sun and moon, .

             Ibsen establishes the atmosphere of the scene. The story line .

             deteriorates from peaceful to tragic. Similarly, does the setting in .

             the last four acts. In the Wild Duck, Henrik Ibsen employs the image .

             of light to portray certain characteristics in order to construct the .

             plot and to adjust the mood of the scene. .

             F.L. Lucas analyzes the opening arrangement and writes "In the .

             outer room the lamps are dimmed, with green shades, in contrast to the .

             brilliance of the room behind"(190). We understand that this meant .

             that the outer room, lit with soft and shaded light, implies poverty, .

             where as the inner room, illuminated with bright candles, expresses .

             wealth. The darkened room, insinuating poverty, is the office in which .

             the poor Old Ekdal 'does some extra copying,' and in return receives a .

             small income. The inside room, representing wealth, is Old Werle's .

             dining room where he was hosting a party. The distinctions of these .

             two lit rooms contrast Old Ekdal and Old Werle. .

             "In contrast to Werle's party, the lighting is of comparative .

             poverty 'on the table a lighted lamp'"(190), explains critic, F.L.

             Lucas. Unlike Old Werle's expensive and exquisite illumination, a .

             small inexpensive lamp lights the Ekdals home, displaying poverty. .

             This dissimilarity shows another significant distinction between Old .

             Werle and Old Ekdal. .

             The distinctions of the light between Old Ekdal's and Old Werle's .

             homes is illustrated in the following incident.It is brought to the .

             reader's attention that in the following quotation Old Werle and Old .