A Doll's House and Other Plays (Penguin)

by Henrik Ibsen

  HOVSTAD [rising]: Surely the idea can’t be that the town –?

  ASLAKSEN: Would it come out of the town’s funds? Out of the meagre pockets of our small tradesmen?

  THE MAYOR: Well, my honourable Mr Aslaksen, where else would the funds come from?

  ASLAKSEN: That’s something the gentlemen who own the Spa must see to.

  THE MAYOR: The Spa owners see no way of stretching themselves more than they have already.

  ASLAKSEN: Is that certain, Mr Mayor?

  THE MAYOR: I’ve assured myself of it. So if people really want these extensive alterations, the town will have to pay for them itself.

  ASLAKSEN: But, Christ Almighty – beg pardon! – but this is quite a different matter, isn’t it, Mr Hovstad!

  HOVSTAD: Yes, it certainly is.

  THE MAYOR: The most disastrous thing is that we’ll be forced to close the Spa for a couple of years.

  HOVSTAD: Close? Close it completely!

  ASLAKSEN: For two years!

  THE MAYOR: Yes, that’s how long the work will take – at least.

  ASLAKSEN: But, Christ Almighty, we’ll never hold out, Mr Mayor! How are we homeowners to earn a living in the meantime?

  THE MAYOR: That, I’m afraid, is extremely difficult to answer, Mr Aslaksen. But what would you have us do? Do you think we’ll get a single visitor here if we encourage them in some fantasy about our water being putrid, that we’re living on pestilent soil, that the entire town –

  ASLAKSEN: And the whole thing’s just a fantasy?

  THE MAYOR: I haven’t, with the best will in the world, been able to convince myself otherwise.

  ASLAKSEN: But then it really is downright indefensible of Dr Stockmann – well, excuse me, Your Honour, but –

  THE MAYOR: You are merely expressing a lamentable truth, Mr Aslaksen. My brother has unfortunately always been a reckless man.

  ASLAKSEN: And still you want to support him in such a thing, Mr Hovstad!

  HOVSTAD: But who could have thought –?

  THE MAYOR: I have composed a concise statement outlining the relevant facts, as they ought to be interpreted from an objective standpoint, indicating how any potential defects might be remedied in a manner proportionate to the Spa’s funds.

  HOVSTAD: Have you got this article with you, Mr Mayor?

  THE MAYOR [fumbling in his pocket]: Yes; I brought it just in case you –

  ASLAKSEN [quickly]: Christ Almighty, there he is!

  THE MAYOR: Who? My brother?

  HOVSTAD: Where – where!

  ASLAKSEN: He’s coming through the printshop.

  THE MAYOR: Disastrous! I don’t want to bump into him here, and I still had a few matters to discuss with you.

  HOVSTAD [pointing to the door on the right]: Go in there for now.

  THE MAYOR: But –?

  HOVSTAD: You’ll find Billing in there, that’s all.

  ASLAKSEN: Quick, quick, Mr Mayor – he’s coming.

  THE MAYOR: Yes, yes; but get him on his way again quickly.

  He goes out through the right-hand door, which ASLAKSEN opens for him, and then shuts after him.

  HOVSTAD: Look busy, Aslaksen.

  He sits down and writes. ASLAKSEN starts to rummage among a heap of newspapers on a chair to the right.

  DR STOCKMANN [coming in from the printshop]: Here I am again. [Puts down his hat and stick.]

  HOVSTAD [writing]: Already, doctor? Do hurry up with that thing we talked about, Aslaksen. Time’s very tight for us today.

  DR STOCKMANN [to ASLAKSEN]: No proofs to be had yet, I hear.

  ASLAKSEN [without turning round]: No, how could the doctor think that?

  DR STOCKMANN: No, of course; but I’m impatient, as you’ll understand. I shan’t rest or relax until I see it in print.

  HOVSTAD: Hmm; it’ll probably be a good while yet. Don’t you think, Aslaksen?

  ASLAKSEN: Yes, I’m afraid it might be.

  DR STOCKMANN: All right, my friends; then I’ll come back later; I’m happy to come back twice if needs be. Such an important cause – the welfare of the whole town – this really is no time to be idle. [He is about to leave but stops and comes back.] But, listen – there’s one other thing I need to discuss with you.

  HOVSTAD: Sorry; but couldn’t we do it another time –?

  DR STOCKMANN: I can tell you in two words. You see, it’s just that – when people read my article in the paper tomorrow and get to know that I’ve spent the whole winter quietly working away for the good of the town –

  HOVSTAD: Yes but, doctor –

  DR STOCKMANN: I know what you’re going to say. You don’t think it was any more than my damned duty – a citizen’s plain duty. Of course; I know that as well as you. But my fellow townsfolk, you see –. Good Lord, these dear people, they think so highly of me –

  ASLAKSEN: Yes, our citizens have indeed thought most highly of you until today, doctor.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, and that’s why I’m worried they’ll – well, what I wanted to say was: when this reaches them – especially the poorer classes – like a rallying cry for them to take the town’s affairs into their own hands in future –

  HOVSTAD [getting up]: Ahem, doctor, I won’t hide it from you –

  DR STOCKMANN: Aha – I knew there was something brewing! But I won’t hear of it. If people are busy preparing anything of the sort –

  HOVSTAD: Preparing what?

  DR STOCKMANN: Well, something or other – a parade, or a banquet, or a subscription list45 for a token of honour – or whatever else, then you must promise me solemnly and faithfully to put a stop to it. And you too, Mr Aslaksen; you hear me!

  HOVSTAD: I’m sorry, doctor, we may as well tell you sooner rather than later, the truth is –

  MRS STOCKMANN, wearing a hat and coat, enters through the left-hand door in the background.

  MRS STOCKMANN [sees the DOCTOR]: Aha, just as I guessed!

  HOVSTAD [moving towards her]: Goodness, you here too, Mrs Stockmann?

  DR STOCKMANN: What the hell do you want here, Katrine?

  MRS STOCKMANN: I’m sure you know very well what I want.

  HOVSTAD: Won’t you sit down? Or perhaps –

  MRS STOCKMANN: No, thank you; don’t trouble yourself. And you mustn’t take offence at my coming to fetch my husband; I’m the mother of three children, let me tell you.

  DR STOCKMANN: Oh, come, come; we do all know that.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Well, it really doesn’t seem that you’re thinking much about your wife and children today; or you wouldn’t behave like this, plunging us all into misfortune.

  DR STOCKMANN: But you’re utterly mad, Katrine! Should a man with a wife and children not be allowed to proclaim the truth – not be allowed to be a valuable and active citizen – not be allowed to serve the town in which he lives!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Everything in moderation, Tomas.

  ASLAKSEN: That’s just what I say. Temperance in all things.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Which is why you’re doing us a wicked disservice, Mr Hovstad, when you lure my husband away from house and home and fool him into doing all this.

  HOVSTAD: I am certainly not fooling anybody into –

  DR STOCKMANN: Fooling! You think I am allowing myself to be fooled!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Yes, you are indeed. I know you’re the cleverest man in town; but you’re awfully easy to fool, Tomas. [To HOVSTAD] And just think, he’ll lose his position at the Spa if you print what he’s written –

  ASLAKSEN: What!

  HOVSTAD: Yes, but you know what, doctor –

  DR STOCKMANN [laughing]: Ha-ha, just let them try –! No, my dear – they’ll think twice. Because I’ve got the solid majority behind me, you see!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Yes, that’s what so unfortunate, to have something that awful behind you.

  DR STOCKMANN: What twaddle, Katrine – go home and look after your house and leave me to look after society. How can you be so apprehensive when I’m so confident and happy? [Walks up and down, r
ubbing his hands] The truth and the people will win this battle, you can swear on it! Oh, I see the whole liberal-minded band of citizens rallying in one victorious army –! [Stops beside a chair.] What – what the hell is that?

  ASLAKSEN [looks at the chair]: Whoops!

  HOVSTAD [likewise]: Hmm –!

  DR STOCKMANN: If it isn’t Mr Authority’s top end!

  He picks up the MAYOR’s hat delicately between his fingertips and holds it up in the air.

  MRS STOCKMANN: The mayor’s hat!

  DR STOCKMANN: And here’s his swagger stick46 too. How in the devil’s name –?

  HOVSTAD: Well, you see –

  DR STOCKMANN: Ah, I understand! He’s been here to talk you round. Ha-ha! He came to the right man there! And then he spotted me in the printshop –. [Bursts out laughing.] Did he run, Mr Aslaksen?

  ASLAKSEN [quickly]: He ran all right, doctor.

  DR STOCKMANN: Ran, leaving his stick and –. Oh, rubbish! Peter doesn’t run from anything. But where the hell have you hidden him? Ah! – in there, of course. Now you’ll see, Katrine!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Tomas – I am begging you –!

  ASLAKSEN: Careful, doctor.

  DR STOCKMANN has put the MAYOR’s hat on his head and picked up his stick; he goes over and flings the door open, bringing his hand up to the brim of the hat in a salute.

  The MAYOR comes in, red with rage. BILLING comes behind him.

  THE MAYOR: What’s the meaning of this riotous behaviour?

  DR STOCKMANN: Some respect, please, my good Peter. I’m the one with the authority in this town now.

  He strolls up and down.

  MRS STOCKMANN [almost in tears]: No, but Tomas, please!

  THE MAYOR [following him about]: Give me my hat and stick!

  DR STOCKMANN [as before]: If you’re the chief of police, I’m chief citizen of this whole town, don’t you know!

  THE MAYOR: Take that hat off, I tell you. Remember it’s a regulation uniform hat!

  DR STOCKMANN: Pff; you think the lion47 that’s been aroused in our people will let itself be frightened by regulation hats? Yes, because we’re going to make a revolution in town tomorrow, I’ll have you know. You threatened to depose me; but now I shall depose you – depose you from all your offices of trust –. You don’t think I can? Oh yes; I have the victorious forces of society with me. Hovstad and Billing will thunder in The People’s Messenger, and Aslaksen will march forth at the head of the entire Homeowners’ Association –

  ASLAKSEN: No, doctor, I won’t.

  DR STOCKMANN: But of course you will –

  THE MAYOR: Aha! Mr Hovstad may, however, decide to join in with this agitation?

  HOVSTAD: No, Mr Mayor.

  ASLAKSEN: No, Mr Hovstad isn’t so mad that he’d go and ruin both himself and his newspaper for the sake of some fantasy.

  DR STOCKMANN [looking around]: What’s the meaning of this?

  HOVSTAD: You’ve presented your case in a false light, doctor; and I am therefore unable to support it.

  BILLING: No, after everything Mr Mayor was so kind as to inform me of in there –

  DR STOCKMANN: False! You leave that to me. Just print my article; I’ll be man enough to defend it.

  HOVSTAD: I’m not printing it. I cannot and will not and dare not print it.

  DR STOCKMANN: Dare not? What kind of talk is that? You’re the editor; and it’s the editors who rule the press, I’d have thought!

  ASLAKSEN: No, it’s the subscribers, doctor.

  THE MAYOR: Fortunately.

  ASLAKSEN: It is public opinion, the enlightened general public, the homeowners and all the others; they rule the newspapers.

  DR STOCKMANN [composedly]: And I have all these forces against me?

  ASLAKSEN: Yes, you have. It would mean the complete ruin of the middle class,48 if your article was printed.

  DR STOCKMANN: I see. –

  THE MAYOR: My hat and stick!

  DR STOCKMANN takes off the hat and puts it on the table along with the stick.

  THE MAYOR [picks them both up]: Your mayoral dignity came to an abrupt end.

  DR STOCKMANN: It’s not the end yet. [To HOVSTAD] So, it’s completely impossible to get my article into The People’s Messenger?

  HOVSTAD: Quite impossible; partly out of regard for your family.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Oh, you really mustn’t trouble yourself over his family, Mr Hovstad.

  THE MAYOR [taking a sheet of paper from his pocket]: It will be sufficient, for the guidance of the public, for this to appear. It is an official statement. There you are.

  HOVSTAD [taking the paper]: Excellent; I’ll see it goes in.

  DR STOCKMANN: But not mine. You think you can silence me and stifle the truth! But that won’t go as smoothly as you think. Mr Aslaksen, take my manuscript this instant and print it as a leaflet – I shall publish it – at my own expense. I want four hundred copies; no, I want five, six hundred.

  ASLAKSEN: I daren’t lend my workshop to such a thing, not if you offered me gold, doctor. I daren’t out of regard for public opinion. You won’t get it printed anywhere in the whole town.

  DR STOCKMANN: Then give it back to me.

  HOVSTAD [giving him the manuscript]: Here you are.

  DR STOCKMANN [fetches his hat and stick]: This will come out anyway. I shall read it out at a large public meeting; all my fellow citizens will hear the voice of truth!

  THE MAYOR: No association in the whole town will lend you a hall for such a purpose.

  ASLAKSEN: Not a single one; I’m absolutely sure.

  BILLING: No, God strike me dead if they will.

  MRS STOCKMANN: That really would be too shameful! But why would they turn against you like this, to the last man?

  DR STOCKMANN [angrily]: I’ll tell you why. Because all the men in this town are nothing but old women – just like you; they only ever think about their families, not about society.

  MRS STOCKMANN [takes his arm]: Then I’ll show them an – an old woman who can act like a man – for once. Because I’m standing by you now, Tomas!

  DR STOCKMANN: Well said, Katrine! And this will out, by God! If I can’t get a hall to rent, then I’ll hire a drummer to walk through the town with me, and I shall read it out at every street corner.

  THE MAYOR: You can’t be that mad!

  DR STOCKMANN: Oh yes, I am!

  ASLAKSEN: You won’t get a single man in the whole town to come with you.

  BILLING: No, God strike me dead if you do!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Just don’t give in, Tomas. I’ll ask the boys to go with you.

  DR STOCKMANN: That’s a brilliant idea!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Morten will be happy to; and Eilif, he’ll come as well, I’m sure.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, and Petra, of course! And you too, Katrine!

  MRS STOCKMANN: No, no, not me; but I’ll stand at the window and watch you; I will do that.

  DR STOCKMANN [puts his arms round her and kisses her]: Thank you! Thank you! Well, my good sirs, now we’ll fight this out! I want to see if lily-livered cowardice has the power to muzzle the patriot who wants to cleanse society.

  He and his wife leave through the left-hand door in the background.

  THE MAYOR [shaking his head slowly]: Now he’s driven her mad too.

  Act Four

  A very large old-fashioned room in Captain Horster’s house. An open set of folding doors in the background lead to an ante-room. In the left-hand wall are three windows; a platform has been placed in the middle of the opposite wall; on this is a small table with two candles, a bell, and a water carafe and glass. The rest of the room is lit by lamps between the windows. In the foreground to the left, there is a table with a candle on it, and a chair. On the right-hand side, to the front, is a door, and next to it some chairs.

  A large crowd of TOWNSPEOPLE of every status.49 A FEW WOMEN and SCHOOLBOYS can be seen among them. More and more people are gradually streaming in from the back, filling the hall.

  FIRST CIT
IZEN [to ANOTHER MAN he bumps into]: So you’re here again tonight, Lamstad?

  THE MAN SPOKEN TO [SECOND CITIZEN]: I’m at all the public meetings, I am.

  A MAN NEXT TO HIM [THIRD CITIZEN]: You’ve brought your whistle, yes?

  SECOND CITIZEN: ’Course I have. Haven’t you?

  THIRD CITIZEN: ’Course! And Skipper Evensen said he’d bring a whacking great big horn, he did.

  SECOND CITIZEN: He’s great, Evensen!

  Laughter among the group.

  FOURTH CITIZEN [joining them]: Here, tell me, what’s going on here tonight?

  SECOND CITIZEN: It’s Dr Stockmann; wants to deliver a speech against the mayor.

  FOURTH CITIZEN: But the mayor’s his brother.

  FIRST CITIZEN: Makes no difference; Dr Stockmann’s not one to be scared.

  THIRD CITIZEN: But he’s in the wrong, of course; it was in The Messenger.

  SECOND CITIZEN: Yes, he must be in the wrong this time; seeing as they didn’t want to lend him a hall down at the Homeowners’ Association or the Club.50

  FIRST CITIZEN: Wasn’t even given use of the Spa hall.

  SECOND CITIZEN: Well, you can understand why.

  A MAN [in a different group]: Whose side should we take in this business, eh?

  ANOTHER MAN [also in this group]: Just watch Aslaksen, and do whatever he does.

  BILLING [with a folder under his arm, pushes his way through the crowd]: Excuse me, gentlemen! Can I come through perhaps? I’m reporting for The People’s Messenger. Thank you very much!

  He sits down at the table to the left.

  A WORKER: Who’s that there?

  ANOTHER WORKER: You must know him surely? It’s that Billing chap who works on Aslaksen’s paper.

  HORSTER guides MRS STOCKMANN and PETRA in through the door on the right in the foreground. EILIF and MORTEN follow them.

  HORSTER: This is where I thought the family could sit; it’s easy to slip out from here, if anything happens.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Do you think there’ll be a disturbance then?

  HORSTER: You never can tell – with so many people –. But sit yourself down and don’t worry.

  MRS STOCKMANN [sits down]: It was so kind of you to offer Stockmann the hall.

  HORSTER: Well, when nobody else would, then –

  PETRA [who has sat down too]: And it was courageous too, Horster.