A Doll's House and Other Plays (Penguin)
Page 34
DR STOCKMANN: Now? You were saying –?
HOVSTAD: You said yesterday that the polluted water came from impurities in the soil.
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, it comes, without a doubt, from that toxic swamp up in Mølledalen.
HOVSTAD: Forgive me, doctor, but I believe it comes from a quite different swamp.
DR STOCKMANN: What sort of swamp?
HOVSTAD: The swamp in which our entire municipal life stands rotting.
DR STOCKMANN: Oh, but damn it, Mr Hovstad, what kind of talk is this?
HOVSTAD: All the town’s affairs have shifted bit by bit into the hands of a bunch of bureaucrats –29
DR STOCKMANN: Oh come now, they’re not all bureaucrats.
HOVSTAD: No, but those that aren’t bureaucrats, they’re the hangers-on and the friends of bureaucrats; it’s the rich, those with old established names in the town; they’re the ones who govern over us and control us.
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, but these people have expertise and insight.
HOVSTAD: Did they show expertise and insight when they laid the water pipes where they are now?
DR STOCKMANN: No, that was clearly a huge folly on their part. But that’ll be put right now.
HOVSTAD: You think it will happen that smoothly?
DR STOCKMANN: Smoothly or not – it’ll happen all the same.
HOVSTAD: Yes, provided the press gets involved.
DR STOCKMANN: That won’t be necessary, my friend, I’m sure my brother –
HOVSTAD: Excuse me, doctor, but I’m telling you that I intend to take this matter up.
DR STOCKMANN: In the newspaper?
HOVSTAD: Yes. When I took over The People’s Messenger, my objective was to blow apart this ring of stubborn old bigots who sit on all the power.
DR STOCKMANN: But you’ve told me yourself how that ended; you almost ruined the paper with it.
HOVSTAD: Yes, back then we had to beat a retreat, that’s true. Because there was a danger that the Spa Institute wouldn’t happen, if these men fell. But now it’s in place, and these fine gentlemen can be dispensed with.
DR STOCKMANN: Dispensed with, perhaps; but we still owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
HOVSTAD: Yes, and that’ll be acknowledged with all due accord. But a journalist of the people like myself can’t let an opportunity like this slip away from him. The myth of the infallibility of those who govern us must be shaken. Such notions must be eradicated, like any other superstition.
DR STOCKMANN: I agree wholeheartedly, Mr Hovstad; if it’s a superstition, then away with it!
HOVSTAD: The mayor’s your brother, of course, so I’d be reluctant to touch him. But I’m sure you believe, as I, that truth comes before any other consideration.
DR STOCKMANN: Well, yes, that goes without saying. – [Bursting out] But –! But –!
HOVSTAD: You mustn’t think ill of me. I’m no more self-interested or power-hungry than most people.
DR STOCKMANN: My dear friend – who’d think such a thing?
HOVSTAD: I come from humble stock, as you know; and I’ve had enough opportunity to see what’s most needed in the lower rungs of society. And that is to partake in the running of our public affairs, doctor. That’s what develops people’s faculties, knowledge and self-respect –
DR STOCKMANN: I understand that absolutely –
HOVSTAD: Yes – and I believe a journalist carries a heavy burden of responsibility when he wastes an opportune moment for the emancipation of the many – of the little people, the downtrodden. I’m quite aware – in higher circles they’ll call it agitation or the like; but they must say as they please. As long as my conscience is clear, then –
DR STOCKMANN: Quite so! Quite so, my dear Mr Hovstad. But still – damn it all –! [A knock is heard at the door.] Come in!
ASLAKSEN the printer appears at the hall door. He is poorly but respectably dressed, in black, with a slightly crumpled white neckerchief; he wears gloves and holds a top hat in his hand.
ASLAKSEN [bows]: Forgive me, doctor, sir, for being so bold –
DR STOCKMANN [getting up]: Well, look here – if it isn’t Aslaksen!
ASLAKSEN: It is indeed, doctor.
HOVSTAD [standing up]: Is it me you’re after, Aslaksen?
ASLAKSEN: No, it isn’t; I didn’t know we’d meet here. No, it was the doctor himself actually –
DR STOCKMANN: Well, how can I be of service?
ASLAKSEN: Is it true, as Billing told me, that the doctor’s thinking of procuring a better water system for us?
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, for the Spa Institute.
ASLAKSEN: Indeed, I understand. Well, then I’ve come to say that I’ll do everything in my power to support you in that.
HOVSTAD [to the DOCTOR]: You see!
DR STOCKMANN: That’s most kind of you, but –
ASLAKSEN: Because it might just come in useful to have us small tradesmen behind you. We do after all form a kind of solid majority30 in this town – when we really want to, that is. And it’s always good to have the majority with you, doctor.
DR STOCKMANN: That’s undeniable; but I just can’t see there’d be the necessity for any special measures here. I think that such a plain, straightforward matter –
ASLAKSEN: Well, it might be useful nonetheless; I know the local authorities well; those in power aren’t too willing to go along with proposals from others. Which is why I don’t think it would be out of place if we were to demonstrate a little.
HOVSTAD: Absolutely, yes.
DR STOCKMANN: Demonstrate, you say? I see, and how exactly would you demonstrate?
ASLAKSEN: With great temperance naturally, doctor; I always strive for temperance; after all, temperance is the principal virtue of a citizen31 – in my opinion at least.
DR STOCKMANN: And that’s something you’re known for too, Mr Aslaksen.
ASLAKSEN: Indeed, I think I dare say so. And this matter of the water supply; it’s extremely important to us small tradesmen. The Spa shows signs of turning into something of a little goldmine for this town. It’s the Spa that we’ll all rely on to make a living, we homeowners more than anyone. So naturally we’re very keen to back the institute all we can. And since I happen to be the head of the Homeowners’ Association –32
DR STOCKMANN: Yes –?
ASLAKSEN: – and, moreover, an agent for the Temperance Society33 – the doctor knows presumably that I work for the cause of temperance?
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, it hardly needs saying.
ASLAKSEN: Well – then it’s not difficult to understand that I come in contact with a lot of people. And being known as a prudent and law-abiding citizen, as you said yourself, doctor, I have a certain influence in the town – a sort of modicum of power – if I may say.
DR STOCKMANN: I’m well aware of that, Mr Aslaksen.
ASLAKSEN: Quite – that’s why it would be a simple matter for me to get a petition together, if it comes to the crunch.
DR STOCKMANN: A petition, you say?
ASLAKSEN: Yes, a kind of petition of thanks from the citizens of this town for your bringing this important public matter forward. It goes without saying it would have to be composed with the proper temperance, so it doesn’t upset the authorities, nor, I might add, anyone else in a position of power. And as long as we’re careful about that, then nobody could take us in bad faith, surely?
HOVSTAD: But even if they didn’t much like it –
ASLAKSEN: No, no, no! No disrespect towards the authorities, Mr Hovstad. No opposition against people with whom our lives are so closely bound. I’ve had enough of that in my day, and no good ever comes of it. But no man can be denied his prudent and frank expression of opinion as a citizen.34
DR STOCKMANN [shakes his hand]: I can’t tell you, dear Mr Aslaksen, what an absolute joy it is to find all this support among my fellow citizens. I’m so glad – so glad! Listen; how about a little glass of sherry?
ASLAKSEN: No, thank you; I never touch spirits.
DR STOCKMA
NN: A glass of beer then; what do you say?
ASLAKSEN: No, thank you, not that either, doctor. I don’t touch anything so early in the day. But I’ll be off into town now to talk with some of the homeowners and prepare the mood.
DR STOCKMANN: Well, that’s most kind of you, Mr Aslaksen; though I find it impossible to get it into my head that such measures should be necessary; I feel this matter should take care of itself.
ASLAKSEN: The authorities do make heavy work of things, doctor. Though, Lord knows, I’m not saying that to blame them –
HOVSTAD: We’ll kick them into action in the paper tomorrow, Aslaksen.
ASLAKSEN: Yes, but not too violently, Mr Hovstad. Proceed with temperance, or you won’t shift them; you can take my word for it; my experiences are garnered in the school of life. – Well now, I shall bid the doctor farewell. You know now that we small tradesmen, at least, stand behind you like a wall. You have the solid majority on your side, doctor.
DR STOCKMANN: Thank you for that, my dear Mr Aslaksen. [Gives him his hand.] Goodbye!
ASLAKSEN: Are you coming down to the printshop, Mr Hovstad?
HOVSTAD: I’ll come on later; I’ve still got a little more to do.
ASLAKSEN: Right you are.
Nods and goes out; DR STOCKMANN follows him into the hall.
HOVSTAD [as the DOCTOR comes in again]: So what do you say to that, doctor? Don’t you think it’s time to air this place out and shake up all this inertia and half-heartedness and cowardice?
DR STOCKMANN: Are you referring to Aslaksen?
HOVSTAD: Yes, I am. He’s one of those in the swamp, however good a man he might be in other respects. And that’s how most of them are here; they dither and waver from side to side; with so much care and caution they never dare to take a decisive step.
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, but Aslaksen was really so genuinely well-meaning, I thought.
HOVSTAD: There’s one thing I value more; and that’s to stand as a solid, self-assured man.
DR STOCKMANN: I’m in absolute agreement with you there.
HOVSTAD: Which is why I mean to grab this opportunity now, and see if I can’t perhaps manage to get these well-meaning types to act like men. The worship of authority must be eradicated in this town. This grossly inexcusable error with the water system must be made apparent to every voting citizen.
DR STOCKMANN: Very well; if you think it’s for the common good, so be it; but not before I’ve spoken to my brother.
HOVSTAD: I’ll draft an editorial piece in the meantime anyway. And if the mayor doesn’t want to take the matter up –
DR STOCKMANN: But how can you think that possible?
HOVSTAD: Oh, it’s a possibility. And then –?
DR STOCKMANN: Well, then I promise you – listen; then you can publish my report – put the whole thing in.
HOVSTAD: I can? Is that a promise?
DR STOCKMANN [handing him the manuscript]: Here it is; take it with you; it can’t do any harm for you to read it through; and then you can give it back to me afterwards.
HOVSTAD: Good, good; I certainly shall. And now, goodbye, doctor.
DR STOCKMANN: Goodbye. You’ll see it’ll all go as smoothly as anything, Mr Hovstad – so smoothly.
HOVSTAD: Hm! – We’ll see. [Nods and goes out through the hall.]
DR STOCKMANN [goes over to the dining room and looks in]: Katrine –! Oh, you’re back home, Petra?
PETRA [coming in]: Yes, I’ve just got back from the school.
MRS STOCKMANN [coming in]: Hasn’t he been here yet?
DR STOCKMANN: Peter? No. But I’ve had a long talk with Hovstad. He’s rather taken by the discovery I’ve made. Yes, it’s of much wider scope than I thought initially, you see. And he’s put his newspaper at my disposal, should that be necessary.
MRS STOCKMANN: But do you think that’ll be necessary?
DR STOCKMANN: Not a bit. But it gives you a sense of pride, nonetheless, to know you have the liberal-minded, independent press on your side. Yes, and imagine – I’ve had a visit from the head of the Homeowners’ Association too!
MRS STOCKMANN: Oh? And what did he want?
DR STOCKMANN: To support me too. They’ll all support me if it comes to the crunch, Katrine – you know what I’ve got behind me?
MRS STOCKMANN: Behind you? No, what have you got behind you?
DR STOCKMANN: The solid majority.
MRS STOCKMANN: Really? That’s a good thing for you, is it, Tomas?
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, I’d have thought so, very good! [Walks up and down rubbing his hands] By God, it’s gratifying to stand like this in brotherly union with one’s fellow citizens!
PETRA: And to do something so good and useful, Father!
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, and what’s more, for one’s own hometown, Petra!
MRS STOCKMANN: That was the doorbell.
DR STOCKMANN: That must be him – [There is a knock at the door.] Come in!
THE MAYOR [comes in from the hall]: Good morning.
DR STOCKMANN: Good to see you, Peter!
MRS STOCKMANN: Good morning, Brother-in-law. How are things?
THE MAYOR: So-so, thank you. [To DR STOCKMANN] Yesterday, after office hours, I received a report from you pertaining to the condition of the water at the Spa Institute.
DR STOCKMANN: Yes. Have you read it?
THE MAYOR: Yes, I have.
DR STOCKMANN: And what do you say on the matter?
THE MAYOR [with a sidelong glance]: Hm! –
MRS STOCKMANN: Come on, Petra.
She and PETRA go into the room on the left.
THE MAYOR [after a pause]: Was it necessary to carry out all these investigations behind my back?
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, so long as I didn’t have absolute certainty –
THE MAYOR: And you feel you have that now?
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, you must surely be persuaded of that yourself.
THE MAYOR: Is it your intention to present this paper to the Spa’s board by way of an official document?
DR STOCKMANN: Well, yes. Something must be done about the matter; and fast.
THE MAYOR: You use, as always, very strident language in your report. Among other things, you say that what we offer the visitors to our Spa is some form of permanent poisoning.
DR STOCKMANN: But, Peter, can it be characterized otherwise? Just imagine – water that’s poisonous if used either internally or externally! And that by unfortunate sick people who turn to us in good faith, and who pay us exorbitant amounts to regain their health!
THE MAYOR: And your deductions take you to the conclusion that we must build a sewer that can drain this purportedly foul sludge from Mølledalen, and that the water pipe must be relaid.
DR STOCKMANN: Well, do you know of any other solution? I don’t.
THE MAYOR: I visited the regional engineer35 this morning on some pretext. And I brought up – half in jest – these proposals as something that we ought perhaps to consider at some time in the future.
DR STOCKMANN: Some time in the future!
THE MAYOR: He smiled at my seeming extravagance – naturally. Have you taken the trouble to consider what these suggested changes would cost? According to the information I received, the expenses would probably run up to several hundred thousand kroner.
DR STOCKMANN: Would it be that expensive?
THE MAYOR: Yes; and here’s the worst. The work would require a period of at least two years.
DR STOCKMANN: Two years, you say? Two whole years?
THE MAYOR: At least. And what will we do with the Spa in the meantime? Shall we close it? Yes, we’d be forced to. Or you think perhaps that people will come to us once the rumour’s out that the water might be a health hazard?
DR STOCKMANN: But, Peter, that’s what it is.
THE MAYOR: And all this now – just now when the institute is taking off. Our neighbouring towns also satisfy certain criteria that could make them potential spa resorts. Don’t you think they’d immediately swing into action to
draw the entire stream of visitors to themselves? Yes, without a doubt. And we’d be left standing; we’d probably have to close down the whole costly institute, and then you’d have ruined your native town.
DR STOCKMANN: I – ruined –!
THE MAYOR: It’s solely thanks to the Spa that the town has any future worth mentioning. You must realize that as well as I.
DR STOCKMANN: But then what do you think should be done?
THE MAYOR: I’ve been unable to persuade myself from your report that this situation with the water at the Spa is as alarming as you claim.
DR STOCKMANN: If anything, it’s worse, Peter! Or at least it will be in the summer when the warm weather comes.
THE MAYOR: As I said, I think you’re exaggerating hugely. A good doctor has to have a proper understanding of procedure – he has to know how to counteract any harmful effects and to remedy them, if they make themselves visibly apparent.
DR STOCKMANN: And so –? What then –?
THE MAYOR: The existing water supply at the Spa is a reality and must clearly be dealt with as such. But it’s reasonable to assume that the committee may, in its own time, be persuaded to consider whether, within acceptable bounds of pecuniary sacrifice, it might perhaps be possible to introduce certain improvements.
DR STOCKMANN: And you think I’d go along with anything so devious?
THE MAYOR: Devious?
DR STOCKMANN: Yes, it would be devious – a fraud, a lie, a downright crime against the public, against the whole community!
THE MAYOR: I have, as I’ve said, been unable to persuade myself that there is any actual imminent danger.
DR STOCKMANN: Oh yes, you have! Anything else is impossible. The truth and accuracy of my report is blindingly obvious, I know it! And you understand it perfectly, Peter; but you just don’t want to accept it. It was you who got it pushed through so the Spa and water system were placed where they are now; and it’s that – it’s that damned blunder that you don’t want admit to. Pah! – Don’t you think I see through you?
THE MAYOR: And even if that was so? If I guard my reputation with a certain anxiety, it’s for the benefit of the town. Without moral authority I cannot guide or direct affairs in the way I deem most advantageous for the greater good. For this – and for a variety of other reasons – it is of paramount importance to me that your report is not presented to the committee. It must be withheld for the common good. I will then bring the issue up for discussion later, and we will do our best discreetly. But nothing – not a single word must reach the public domain about this disastrous matter.