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 must say it all sounds most mysterious. Is there something going on that I am to be kept in ignorance of? I should have imagined that I, as Chairman of the governing body of the Baths--" (1.101)
When the Doctor withholds information from his brother, he unwittingly threatens the Mayor's power. Though Dr. Stockmann doesn't think of it this way, the fact that he has information that his brother doesn't gives him an edge. At this point in the play, the Doctor doesn't have any desire for the sort of power his brother has, but still the Mayor perceives him as a direct threat.
Quote #2
Aslaksen: "I have a certain influence in the town, a little bit of power, if I may be allowed to say so." (2.131)
Aslaksen's position as head of Householders' Association and the Temperance Society give him a certain amount of clout around town. His support could mean a lot for the Doctor's cause. When Aslaksen withdraws that support he turns the tide of public opinion against Doctor Stockmann.
Quote #3
Hovstad: "The idol of Authority must be shattered in this town. This gross and inexcusable blunder about the water supply must be brought home to the mind of every municipal voter." (2.156)
Hovstad plans to use the water supply issue as a weapon against the ruling elite of the town. By doing so he would shatter the town's power structure. He would, in the process, gain a lot of power for himself. This gaining of personal power could very well be his real goal.
Quote #4
Dr. Stockmann: "every single day I will bombard them with one article after another, like bombshells […] I shall smite them to the ground--I shall crush them." (3.49-52)
Whoa, Doc. Is it just us or is Stockmann just a wee bit too fond of his high horse? Yeah, he's doing what he thinks is right, but it does seem like the good Doctor is enjoying his newfound power quite a bit.
Quote #5
Mrs. Stockmann: "(To Hovstad.) Please do realise that he loses his post at the Baths if you print what he has written." […]
Dr. Stockmann: (laughing). "Ha-ha!--just let them try! […]I have got the compact majority behind me, let me tell you!" (3.286-289)
Dr. Stockmann is under the impression that he's got a lot more power than he really does. Early in the play he really did have public opinion behind him, but now that his supposed allies have realized the amount of money his proposed renovations will cost they've totally turned against him. The Doctor has been made powerless without even knowing it.
Quote #6
(DR. STOCKMANN has put on the Mayor's hat and taken his stick in his hand.)
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "What does this tomfoolery mean?"
Dr. Stockmann: "Be respectful, my good Peter. I am the chief authority in the town now." (3.303-305)
Did you catch the symbolism here? The Doctor emphasizes the fact that he's taking power away from his brother, by taking the Mayor's official hat and cane. Of course, soon enough the Doctor realizes that he's the one who is now powerless.
Quote #7
Aslaksen: "It is public opinion--the enlightened public--householders and people of that kind; they control the newspapers." (3.324)
Is this still true? Does the media have power over the people, or do the people have power over the media? Who really controls public opinion?
Quote #8
Dr. Stockmann: "this very raising up the masses would mean nothing more or less than setting them straightway upon the paths of depravity!" (4.133)
Here Dr. Stockmann is criticizing Hovstad's idea that the common people should rise to power over the upper classes. He points out a fundamental flaw in the theory that everything will be hunky-dory once the farmers and mechanics are in control. Once common folks have the power then they won't be common anymore. As soon as they have power, won't they become the very thing they've fought against?
Quote #9
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "The Householders' Association is circulating a list from house to house. All right-minded citizens are being called upon to give up employing you;" (5.105)
The Mayor informs his brother that Aslaksen's group is making sure that he won't be able to practice in town as a doctor anymore. Just a couple days ago the Doctor thought that he had all the power of the Householders' Association behind him. Now, it's all turned against him.
Quote #10
Hovstad: "It is a natural law; every animal must fight for its own livelihood."
Aslaksen: "And get its food where it can, you know."
Dr. Stockmann: "Then you go and look for yours in the gutter; because I am going to show you which is the strongest animal of us three!" (5.239-241)
All the subtle power plays that have been driving the play have descended into chaos. When Hovstad and Aslaksen mistakenly think the Doctor's whole crusaded has been about trying to gain control of the Baths, they attempt to get in on it. The Doctor has been backed into a corner by the powers that be one too many times, and seizes control the only way he has left: brute force.