Wild Duck Journal #1

Discussion: Setting: This includes cultural as well as geographical and historical setting. What effect does the setting have on story, character, theme?

The setting of The Wild Duck is completely different from the setting of Oedipus. They are coming from two different time periods and are thus set in two different time periods as well. I feel as though the whole feel of the play is different in The Wild Duck, as is its purpose. While Oedipus seemed like it was meant to be a brief but well-known story (almost like a legend) that was meant to entertain people as well as give them a small lesson in life, The Wild Duck seems much more mature, thoughtful and serious. There is a depth to this play that is not present in Oedipus, and I think that the time period has a lot to do with that.

The setting in The Wild Duck begins at a small social gathering in a home. This makes the play seem more intimate, like we are invisible guests at a private event. The mood is also serious and secretive, which adds to the suspense. There are many more characters in The Wild Duck that in Oedipus, and it makes it more complex and more confusing. Overall, it is kind of hard to adjust to the change in writing styles between the two authors and I see more differences than similarities.