Wild Duck #2

Ibsen uses the motif to show how lies are a sickness that damages your body and mind. Characters are seen as sick by Gregers if they are unaware of the truth. Relling views people as sick if they try to tell others the truth. “Beg pardon—but it wouldn’t be you who brought that stench in with you from the mines up there?” (174) This could be because it isn't Gregers place to tell or because Gregers is doing it for personal reasons. “No, worse luck. He’s no crazier that most people. But he’s got a disease in his system all the same.” (177) Gregers makes it his life mission to reveal all the secrets that are hidden from Hjalmar. He is only doing this because it is a way for him to get back at his father. Werle and Gregers have problems that started when Gregers was a kid. People with the disease also drink alcohol like Hjalmar and Molvik. “And demonic natures aren’t made to go through life on the straight and narrow; they’ve got to take detours every so often. Well—and you’re still sticking it out there at that dark, hideous mill.” (172) Relling acknowledges the disease and the people that have them and knows how to help them. He is also a doctor which supports this claim.Gregers on the other hand does not but is committed to his ways of helping Hjalmar which only makes things worse.