How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used R. Farquharson Sharp's translation.
Quote #1
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "I personally have no reason to bear any ill will to your paper, Mr. Hovstad." (1.27)
The Mayor and Hovstad are polite to each other's faces throughout the entire play. When the other isn't around, though, they talk all kinds of trash. Their hypocrisy is made even worse when they join forces later on against Dr. Stockmann.
Quote #2
Petra: "There is so much falsehood both at home and at school. At home one must not speak, and at school we have to stand and tell lies to the children." (1.204)
Petra enjoys teaching very much and feels like she's doing some good. However, if she tells her students what she really believes, she'll lose her job. She's trapped by the will and moral values of the majority. Petra is frustrated that society has turned her into a hypocrite.
Quote #3
Hovstad: "I am not a weathercock--and never will be." (3.82)
Just in case you don't know, a weathercock is one of those metal roosters that people used to put on top of roofs to see which way the wind was blowing. By denying that he's like a weathercock, Hovstad is saying that no matter what the winds may bring he sticks to his opinions. As we see very soon, he's totally full of it. He's one of the biggest weathercocks (hypocrites) in the entire play.
Quote #4
Petra: "You can't use this [English story] for the "People's Messenger" […] it conflicts with all your opinions."
Hovstad: "You are perfectly right; but an editor cannot always act as he would prefer. He is often obliged to bow to the wishes of the public in unimportant matters." (3.114-120)
Is Hovstad being a hypocrite on this point? He's basically arguing that if he prints a story that makes people feel comfortable, they're much more likely to swallow his liberal ideas. It does help him achieve his goals, but at what cost? Is it OK to compromise yourself a little bit to achieve your ultimate goals?
Quote #5
Petra: "you stand fearlessly in the open and take up the cause of an injured man--
Hovstad: "Especially when that injured man is--ahem!-- […] Especially when he is your father I meant.
Petra (suddenly checked). That? […] you have betrayed yourself, Mr. Hovstad,
and now I shall never trust you again in anything." (3.139-147)
Hovstad is insinuating that one of the big reasons he's trying to help out Dr. Stockmann is because he's got crush on Petra. This clumsy come-on totally backfires on him. Petra, who was just singing his praises, now thinks he's a total hypocrite and doesn't want anything to do with him for the rest of the play.
Quote #6
Hovstad: "I hope no one here has any doubt as to my liberal principles; […] But the advice of […] thoughtful men has convinced me that in purely local matters a newspaper ought to proceed with a certain caution."
Aslaksen: "I entirely agree with the speaker." (4.40-41)
Earlier in the play, Hovstad criticized Aslaksen for this very same view, saying that Aslaksen was a hypocrite for having liberal opinions on national politics, but maintaining a more conservative view in local affairs. Now he's totally changed his tune. Do you think he's honestly changed his mind on the issue or is he guilty of hypocrisy?
Quote #7
Dr. Stockmann: "The most dangerous enemy of truth and freedom amongst us is the compact majority--yes, the damned compact Liberal majority--that is it!" (4.89)
Hovstad isn't the only one who's changed his tune over the course of the play. The Doctor just the day before was singing the praises of the liberal majority. Now that the majority has turned on him, however, he's saying they're the root of all that's wrong with society. Is this hypocrisy, or, as Dr. Stockmann says, a kind of awakening?
Quote #8
Dr. Stockmann: "I must say I did expect Mr. Hovstad to admit I was right, […] He claims to be a freethinker--" […]
Hovstad: (shouting). "Prove it, Dr. Stockmann! When have I said so in print?" (4.115-117)
We suppose it's not surprising for a newspaperman to think that things are only true if they're in print, but doesn't it smell a wee bit like hypocrisy? If you believe one thing and print another, doesn't that make you a hypocrite? What's amazing is that Hovstad seems to be completely oblivious to this concept.
Quote #9
Petra: "Mrs. Busk gave me my notice; so I thought it was best to go at once. […] I saw quite plainly how it hurt her to do it. But she didn't dare do otherwise." (4.29-32)
Not only does the whole town turn against the Doctor after his fiery speech, they also turn on his family. It seems clear that Petra's boss at the school didn't want to fire her, but the lady feels like she has no choice. Looks like the power of the majority is turning everybody into hypocrites.
Quote #10
Dr. Stockmann: "Of course you don't, but I will tell you. A free man has no right to soil himself with filth; he has no right to behave in a way that would justify his spitting in his own face." (5.120)
To the end, the Doctor absolutely refuses to be a hypocrite. He would rather sacrifice himself and his entire family than compromise his beliefs. Is he a fool or a hero? What do you think?