A Doll's House and Other Plays (Penguin)

by Henrik Ibsen

  DR STOCKMANN: And you don’t think the plebeians are just as insolent in every other town here? Oh yes, it’s probably much of a muchness. Still, let the mongrels snarl – that’s not the worst of it; the worst is that they’re slaves to party politics this whole country over. Mind you – it might not be any better in the free West; the solid majority, and liberal public opinion and all those other evils are rampant even there. But everything’s on a grander scale over there, you see; they might kill people, but they don’t torture them; they don’t squeeze a free soul in a vice, as they do here. And, as a last resort, you can keep your distance of course. [Paces the floor.] If only I knew where there was a virgin forest or a little South Sea island to be bought cheaply –

  MRS STOCKMANN: Yes, but the boys, Tomas!

  DR STOCKMANN [stopping still]: Oh, you’re strange, Katrine! Would you prefer the boys to grow up in a society like ours? You saw for yourself last night that half the population are raving mad; and if the other half haven’t lost their senses, it’s because they’re idiots with no sense to lose.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Yes but, Tomas my sweet, you do let your tongue run away with you.

  DR STOCKMANN: So! What I’m saying isn’t true, perhaps? Don’t they turn every concept upside down? Don’t they take right and wrong and stir it into a hotchpotch? Don’t they call everything a lie that I know to be the truth? But the maddest thing of all is that adult liberal people go about in droves here, telling themselves and others that they’re free-minded.64 Have you heard anything like it, Katrine?

  MRS STOCKMANN: Yes, yes, of course, it’s completely mad, but –

  PETRA comes in from the living room.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Are you back from school already?

  PETRA: Yes; I’ve been given my notice.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Your notice!

  DR STOCKMANN: You too?

  PETRA: Mrs Busk gave me my notice; so I thought it best I leave immediately.

  DR STOCKMANN: You did right, by God!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Who’d have thought Mrs Busk was such an awful woman!

  PETRA: Oh, Mother, Mrs Busk isn’t the least bit awful; I could clearly see how painful it was for her. But she said she didn’t dare do otherwise; and so I was given notice.

  DR STOCKMANN [laughing and rubbing his hands]: She didn’t dare do otherwise either! Oh, it’s delightful!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Well, after those appalling scenes last night, then –

  PETRA: It wasn’t just that. Listen to this, Father!

  DR STOCKMANN: What?

  PETRA: Mrs Busk showed me no fewer than three letters she’d got this morning –

  DR STOCKMANN: Anonymous, I presume?

  PETRA: Yes.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, they don’t dare risk their names, Katrine!

  PETRA: And in two of them it said that a man who frequents this house had talked at the Club last night about my having over-emancipated views on various subjects –

  DR STOCKMANN: And you didn’t deny it, I presume?

  PETRA: No, you know I wouldn’t. Mrs Busk has pretty emancipated views herself, when we’re one to one; but now that this has come out about me, she doesn’t dare keep me on.

  MRS STOCKMANN: And to think – it’s someone who frequents our house! That shows you what you get for your hospitality, Tomas!

  DR STOCKMANN: We’re not going to live in this filth any longer. Pack as quickly as you can, Katrine; let’s get away from here, the sooner the better.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Quiet; I think there’s someone out in the hall. Go and see, Petra.

  PETRA [opens the door]: Oh, is it you, Captain Horster? Do come in, please.

  HORSTER [coming in from the hall]: Good morning. I felt I had to drop by and hear how things were.

  DR STOCKMANN [shaking his hand]: Thank you – that’s extremely kind of you.

  MRS STOCKMANN: And thank you, Captain Horster, for helping us get back last night.

  PETRA: But how did you manage to get home again?

  HORSTER: Oh, somehow or other; I’m pretty strong, and those people are mostly mouth.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, absolutely extraordinary, isn’t it – the swine-like cowardice of these people? Come here and I’ll show you something! Look, here are all the stones they lobbed in at us. Just look at them! There are no more than two decent-sized rocks in this entire heap, by God; the rest are nothing but little stones – pebbles. And yet they stood out there shouting and swearing that they’d beat me to a pulp; but action – action – no, you don’t see much of that in this town.

  HORSTER: That was probably just as well for you this time, doctor!

  DR STOCKMANN: Well, of course. But it’s aggravating all the same; if it ever comes to a scuffle of any serious national import, then you’ll see that public opinion will be in favour of turning tail, and the solid majority will run for the hills like a flock of sheep, Captain Horster. That’s what’s so sad; it really hurts me to think of it –. Oh, but what the hell – this is just a lot of silly nonsense. If they’ve called me an enemy of the people, then let me be an enemy of the people!

  MRS STOCKMANN: You’ll never be that, Tomas.

  DR STOCKMANN: I wouldn’t swear to it, Katrine. A cruel word can be like the scratch of a pin on your lungs. And that damned phrase – I can’t get rid of it; it’s fixed itself here under my heart; there it lies, digging away and sucking up sour juices. And no magnesia can cure it.

  PETRA: Pah! – you should just laugh at them, Father,

  HORSTER: I’m sure people will come to see things differently one day, doctor.

  MRS STOCKMANN: Yes, Tomas, as sure as you’re standing here.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, maybe when it’s too late. But good riddance to them! Let them wallow here in their muck and rue the fact they drove a patriot into exile. When do you set sail, Captain Horster?

  HORSTER: Hm! – That was actually what I came to talk to you about –

  DR STOCKMANN: Oh, is there some problem with the ship?

  HORSTER: No; but it seems I shan’t be going with it.

  PETRA: You’ve not been given your notice?

  HORSTER [smiling]: I most certainly have.

  PETRA: You too.

  MRS STOCKMANN: There, you see, Tomas!

  DR STOCKMANN: And all for the sake of the truth! Oh, if I’d known anything like this –

  HORSTER: Don’t worry yourself on that account; I’m certain to find a job with one of the shipowners out of town.

  DR STOCKMANN: And it’s that merchant, isn’t it, Mr Vik – a man of means, independent of everyone –! Pah, it’s disgusting!

  HORSTER: He’s a pretty decent fellow otherwise; and he said himself he’d have liked to keep me on if only he’d dared –

  DR STOCKMANN: But he didn’t dare? No, of course not!

  HORSTER: He said, it’s not that simple when you belong to a party –

  DR STOCKMANN: Well, the honourable gentleman got that right! A party is like a meat grinder; it minces everybody’s heads together into a mush, so they all become mush-heads and meatheads!

  MRS STOCKMANN: But Tomas, dear!

  PETRA [to HORSTER]: If only you hadn’t walked us home, things might not have gone this far.

  HORSTER: I don’t regret that.

  PETRA [holding her hand out to him]: Well, thank you!

  HORSTER [to the DOCTOR]: But what I wanted to say was that if you really do want to leave, I’ve thought of another solution –

  DR STOCKMANN: Excellent; as long as we get away soon –

  MRS STOCKMANN: Shh; wasn’t that a knock?

  PETRA: I think it’s Uncle.

  DR STOCKMANN: Aha! [Calls out] Come in!

  MRS STOCKMANN: Tomas, my sweet, just promise me –

  The MAYOR comes in from the hall.

  THE MAYOR [in the doorway]: Oh, you’re busy. Well, then I’d prefer –

  DR STOCKMANN: No, no; come right in.

  THE MAYOR: But I wanted to speak to you in private.

  MRS STOCKMANN: We�
�ll go into the sitting room for now.

  HORSTER: And I’ll come back later.

  DR STOCKMANN: No, no, you go in with them, Captain Horster; I need to get some further details –

  HORSTER: Yes, yes, I’ll wait then.

  He follows MRS STOCKMANN and PETRA into the living room. The MAYOR says nothing but glances at the windows.

  DR STOCKMANN: You might find it a bit draughty in here today? Put your hat on.

  THE MAYOR: Thank you, if I may. [Does so.] I think I caught a chill last night; I got cold standing there –

  DR STOCKMANN: Oh, really? It seemed warm enough to me.

  THE MAYOR: I regret that it wasn’t in my power to prevent these nocturnal excesses.

  DR STOCKMANN: Do you have anything in particular to say to me, besides that?

  THE MAYOR [takes out a large letter]: I have this document for you from the Spa committee.

  DR STOCKMANN: Am I dismissed?

  THE MAYOR: Yes, with effect from today. [Places the letter on the table.] It pains us; but – to be frank – we didn’t dare do otherwise on account of public opinion.

  DR STOCKMANN [smiling]: Didn’t dare? I’ve heard that word earlier today.

  THE MAYOR: I’d ask you to see your situation clearly. You mustn’t count on having any future practice whatsoever in town.

  DR STOCKMANN: To hell with the practice! But what makes you so certain?

  THE MAYOR: The Homeowners’ Association has started a list that’s being taken from house to house. Every right-minded citizen is being urged not to use you; and I guarantee not one single house owner 65 will risk refusing his signature; they simply won’t dare.

  DR STOCKMANN: Of course not; I don’t doubt it. But what of it?

  THE MAYOR: If I could give you any advice, it would be this – that you move away from town for a while –

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, I’ve been toying with the idea of leaving town.

  THE MAYOR: Right. And when you’ve had six months or so to reflect, and can bring yourself, after mature consideration, to offer a few apologetic words acknowledging your error –

  DR STOCKMANN: Then I might perhaps get my position back, you mean?

  THE MAYOR: Perhaps; it’s certainly not impossible.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, but what about public opinion? The board surely wouldn’t dare do that on account of public opinion.

  THE MAYOR: Opinion is a very variable thing. And, to be honest, it’s a matter of utmost importance to us to obtain such an admission from your hand.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, I’m sure you’re all licking your lips at the prospect! But, damn it all, don’t you remember what I said about such foxy tricks!

  THE MAYOR: Back then your position was rather more favourable; back then you had reason to assume you had the whole town covering your back –

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, and now I have the whole town at my throat –. [Flaring up] But no, not if the devil himself and his grandmother were at my throat –! Never – never, I say!

  THE MAYOR: No man with family responsibilities dares behave like this. You wouldn’t dare, Tomas.

  DR STOCKMANN: I wouldn’t dare! There’s only one thing in the world a free man doesn’t dare; and you know what that is?

  THE MAYOR: No.

  DR STOCKMANN: No, naturally; but I shall tell you. A free man doesn’t dare foul himself like some tramp, he doesn’t dare conduct himself so he has to spit in his own eye!

  THE MAYOR: This all sounds mighty plausible, of course; and if some other explanation didn’t lie behind your obstinacy – but clearly it does –

  DR STOCKMANN: What do you mean by that?

  THE MAYOR: You understand very well what I mean. But, as your brother and as a prudent man, I’d advise you not to build too confidently on hopes and prospects that might so very easily come to nothing.

  DR STOCKMANN: What on earth are you getting at?

  THE MAYOR: Are you really asking me to believe that you’re ignorant of the terms of Mr Kiil’s will?

  DR STOCKMANN: I know that the few scraps he owns are going to some foundation for destitute old craftsmen. But what’s that got to do with me?

  THE MAYOR: To begin with, we’re not talking about a few scraps here. Mr Kiil is a rather wealthy man.

  DR STOCKMANN: I never had any idea –!

  THE MAYOR: Hm – really? So you’ve no idea either, that a rather substantial share of his fortune will come to your children, and that you and your wife will enjoy the interest for the rest of your lives. He’s not told you that?

  DR STOCKMANN: No, by God, he hasn’t! Quite the opposite; he’s always ranted on about how unreasonably high his taxes were. But are you absolutely certain about this, Peter?

  THE MAYOR: I have it from an entirely reliable source.

  DR STOCKMANN: But, good Lord, then Katrine is secure – and the children too! I must tell her at once – [Shouts] Katrine, Katrine!

  THE MAYOR [holds him back]: Shh, not a word yet!

  MRS STOCKMANN [opening the door]: What’s happening?

  DR STOCKMANN: Oh, nothing, nothing; you just go back in.

  MRS STOCKMANN closes the door.

  DR STOCKMANN [pacing the floor]: Secure! – Just imagine, they’re all secure! And for life! Oh what a blessed feeling it is to know one is secure!

  THE MAYOR: Yes, but that is precisely what you are not. Mr Kiil can annul his will any day or hour he wishes.

  DR STOCKMANN: But he won’t do that, my dear Peter. The Badger’s much too gleeful that I’ve got one over you and your venerable pals.

  THE MAYOR [gives a start and looks at him quizzically]: Aha! That throws a light on various things.

  DR STOCKMANN: Various things?

  THE MAYOR: This has clearly been a coordinated manoeuvre. These violent, reckless attacks that you have – in the name of truth – directed at the town’s leaders –

  DR STOCKMANN: What about them?

  THE MAYOR: They were nothing other than the agreed price for that vengeful old Morten Kiil’s will.

  DR STOCKMANN [almost speechless]: Peter – you’re the most low-down plebeian I’ve ever known in my life.

  THE MAYOR: It’s over between us. Your dismissal is irrevocable; we have a weapon against you now.

  He leaves.

  DR STOCKMANN: Curse him, curse him! [Shouts out] Katrine, the floor needs to be washed after him! Get her to bring a bucket in here – that – that – oh, devil take it – that girl who’s always got soot on her nose –

  MRS STOCKMANN [in the doorway to the living room]: Shh, shh, Tomas, now!

  PETRA [also in the doorway]: Father, Grandfather’s here, asking if he can talk to you alone.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, of course he can. [By the door] Come in, Father-in-law.66

  MORTEN KIIL comes in. DR STOCKMANN shuts the door after him.

  DR STOCKMANN: So, what can I do for you? Won’t you sit down?

  MORTEN KIIL: Shan’t sit. [Looks around.] Looks nice in here today, Stockmann.

  DR STOCKMANN: Yes, don’t you think?

  MORTEN KIIL: Very nice, yes – and fresh air too; you’ve got plenty of that oxygen stuff you were talking about yesterday. You must have a splendidly good conscience today, I’d imagine.

  DR STOCKMANN: I have indeed.

  MORTEN KIIL: Yes, I can imagine. [Taps his chest.] But do you know what I have here?

  DR STOCKMANN: A good conscience too, I hope.

  MORTEN KIIL: Pah! No, something much better than that.

  He takes a thick wallet out, opens it, and shows some papers.

  DR STOCKMANN [looking at him in astonishment]: Shares in the Spa?

  MORTEN KIIL: They weren’t hard to come by today.

  DR STOCKMANN: And you’ve been out buying –?

  MORTEN KIIL: As many as I could afford.

  DR STOCKMANN: But, my dear father-in-law – with the desperate situation of the Spa now –!

  MORTEN KIIL: If you go about it like a sensible human being, I reckon you’ll get the Spa back
on its feet.

  DR STOCKMANN: Well, you can see for yourself that I’m doing everything I can, but –. They’re all completely mad in this town!

  MORTEN KIIL: Yesterday you said that the worst of the muck came from my tannery. But if that was true, then my grandfather and my father before me, and myself too, have for many a long year been fouling this town, almost like three angels of death. Do you think I’m going to let that shame stick?

  DR STOCKMANN: I’m afraid you’re going to have to.

  MORTEN KIIL: No, thank you. I shall hold on to my good name and reputation. People call me ‘the Badger’, I’ve heard say. A badger; that’s a type of pig, isn’t it; but they’ll never get that on me. I mean to live and die a clean man.

  DR STOCKMANN: And how do you intend to go about that?

  MORTEN KIIL: You will cleanse me, Stockmann.

  DR STOCKMANN: I!

  MORTEN KIIL: Do you know where I got the money from to buy these shares? No, of course, you can’t know; but I shall tell you. It’s the money that Katrine and Petra and the little boys will have after I’m gone. Yes, because I’ve put a fair bit away after all, you see.

  DR STOCKMANN [flaring up]: And you’ve gone and used Katrine’s money on this!

  MORTEN KIIL: Yes, that money is now invested in the Spa, all of it. And now I’m eager to see if you’re that raging – barking – mad after all, Stockmann! If you go on letting creatures and such nasties come from my tannery, it’ll be as if you tore wide strips of skin from Katrine, and Petra too, and the boys; and no proper husband and father does that – unless he’s a madman, that is.

  DR STOCKMANN [who is pacing up and down]: Yes, but I am a madman; I am a madman!

  MORTEN KIIL: You’re not that raving mad surely, when it comes to your wife and children.

  DR STOCKMANN [stops in front of him]: Why couldn’t you talk to me before you went off and bought all that rubbish?

  MORTEN KIIL: What’s done has more clout, I’d say.

  DR STOCKMANN [walks restlessly about]: If only I wasn’t so certain of my case –! But I’m so utterly convinced I’m right.

  MORTEN KIIL [weighing the wallet in his hand]: Carry on with this madness, and these aren’t worth much. [Puts the wallet in his pocket.]