Katherine Stockmann Character Analysis

Peter Stockmann (lowering his voice a little): It is a curious thing that these farmers’ sons never seem to lose their want of tact.

Mrs. Stockmann: Surely it is not worth bothering about! Cannot you and Thomas share the credit as brothers?

Peter Stockmann: You have an ingrained tendency to take your own way, at all events; and that is almost equally inadmissible in a well-ordered community. The individual ought undoubtedly to acquiesce in subordinating himself to the community – or, to speak more accurately, to the authorities who have the care of the community’s welfare.

Dr. Stockmann: You will see he won’t like it’s having been I, and not he, that made the discovery.

Katherine: Aren’t you a little nervous about that?

Dr. Stockmann: Oh, he really will be pleased enough, you know…

Katherine: I will tell you what, Thomas – you should be good-natured, and share the credit of this with him. Couldn’t you make out that it was he who set you on the scent of this discovery?

Katherine: Oh yes, right—right. What is the use of having right on your side if you have not got might?

Petra: Oh, mother!—how can you say such a thing!

Dr. Stockmann: Do you imagine that in a free country it is no use having right on your side? You are absurd, Katherine. Besides, haven’t I got the liberal-minded, independent press to lead the way, and the compact majority behind me? That is might enough, I should think!

Dr. Stockmann. The boys——! (Recovers himself suddenly): No, even if the whole world goes to pieces, I will never bow my neck to this yoke!

Mrs. Stockmann (following him): Thomas—what are you going to do!

Dr. Stockmann (at his door): I mean to have the right to look my sons in the face when they are grown men.

Mrs. Stockmann. Well, one would not give you credit for much thought for your wife and children to-day; if you had had that, you would not have gone and dragged us all into misfortune.

Dr. Stockmann. Are you out of your senses, Katherine! Because a man has a wife and children, is he not to be allowed to proclaim the truth—is he not to be allowed to be an actively useful citizen—is he not to be allowed to do a service to his native town!

Mrs. Stockmann. Yes, Thomas—in reason.

Aslaksen. Just what I say. Moderation is everything.

Katherine. But this is too shameful! Why should every one turn against you like that?

Dr. Stockmann (angrily). I will tell you why. It is because all the men in this town are old women—like you; they all think of nothing but their families, and never of the community.

Katherine (putting her arm into his). Then I will show them that an—an old woman can be a man for once. I am going to stand by you, Thomas!

Dr. Stockmann (lowering his voice). Hush! You mustn’t say anything about it yet; but I have made a great discovery.

Mrs. Stockmann. Another one?

Dr. Stockmann. Yes. (Gathers them round him, and says confidentially:) It is this, let me tell you—that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.

Mrs. Stockmann (smiling and shaking her head). Oh, Thomas, Thomas!

Peter Stockmann (lowering his voice a little): It is a curious thing that these farmers’ sons never seem to lose their want of tact.

Mrs. Stockmann: Surely it is not worth bothering about! Cannot you and Thomas share the credit as brothers?

Peter Stockmann: You have an ingrained tendency to take your own way, at all events; and that is almost equally inadmissible in a well-ordered community. The individual ought undoubtedly to acquiesce in subordinating himself to the community – or, to speak more accurately, to the authorities who have the care of the community’s welfare.

Dr. Stockmann: You will see he won’t like it’s having been I, and not he, that made the discovery.

Katherine: Aren’t you a little nervous about that?

Dr. Stockmann: Oh, he really will be pleased enough, you know…

Katherine: I will tell you what, Thomas – you should be good-natured, and share the credit of this with him. Couldn’t you make out that it was he who set you on the scent of this discovery?

Katherine: Oh yes, right—right. What is the use of having right on your side if you have not got might?

Petra: Oh, mother!—how can you say such a thing!

Dr. Stockmann: Do you imagine that in a free country it is no use having right on your side? You are absurd, Katherine. Besides, haven’t I got the liberal-minded, independent press to lead the way, and the compact majority behind me? That is might enough, I should think!

Dr. Stockmann. The boys——! (Recovers himself suddenly): No, even if the whole world goes to pieces, I will never bow my neck to this yoke!

Mrs. Stockmann (following him): Thomas—what are you going to do!

Dr. Stockmann (at his door): I mean to have the right to look my sons in the face when they are grown men.

Mrs. Stockmann. Well, one would not give you credit for much thought for your wife and children to-day; if you had had that, you would not have gone and dragged us all into misfortune.

Dr. Stockmann. Are you out of your senses, Katherine! Because a man has a wife and children, is he not to be allowed to proclaim the truth—is he not to be allowed to be an actively useful citizen—is he not to be allowed to do a service to his native town!

Mrs. Stockmann. Yes, Thomas—in reason.

Aslaksen. Just what I say. Moderation is everything.

Katherine. But this is too shameful! Why should every one turn against you like that?

Dr. Stockmann (angrily). I will tell you why. It is because all the men in this town are old women—like you; they all think of nothing but their families, and never of the community.

Katherine (putting her arm into his). Then I will show them that an—an old woman can be a man for once. I am going to stand by you, Thomas!

Dr. Stockmann (lowering his voice). Hush! You mustn’t say anything about it yet; but I have made a great discovery.

Mrs. Stockmann. Another one?

Dr. Stockmann. Yes. (Gathers them round him, and says confidentially:) It is this, let me tell you—that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.

Mrs. Stockmann (smiling and shaking her head). Oh, Thomas, Thomas!