Hedvig, with a glimpse of the truth of her father’s feelings for her, dies because she cannot bear to live with the knowledge of her origins.

Does Hedvig die?

Hedvig will enter the garret to kill the duck but end by killing herself in a chaste and bloodless suicide. She dies for her father’s love.

What does the wild duck symbolize?

The duck symbolizes clarity, family, love, vigilance, intuition, nurturing, protection, feelings, self-expression, balance, adaptation, grace, and strength. Duck symbolism is closely connected to water symbolism, which is about mystery, magic, and inspiration.