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: "Think how extraordinarily the place has developed within the last year or two! Money has been flowing in […]"
Hovstad: "And unemployment is diminishing."
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "Yes, that is another thing. The burden on the poor rates has been lightened, to the great relief of the propertied classes;" (1.34-35)
Mayor Stockmann and Hovstad discuss how the money from the Baths is helping every level of society. The previously unemployed now have jobs. This makes rich people's taxes lower, because they don't have to pay as much to support the lower classes. It's important to understand how financially beneficial the Baths are to every single person in the town. It makes it pretty understandable why, later on in the play, everybody turns against Doctor Stockmann.
Quote #2
Dr. Stockmann: "And then to be comfortably off, Peter! That is something one learns to value, when one has been on the brink of starvation, as we have." (1.78)
Dr. Stockmann is incredibly pleased with the fact that he now has enough money to live comfortably. When he was a poor country doctor in the north of Norway, his family made barely enough to scrape by. This makes his sacrifice of his job in the name of truth all the more meaningful.
Quote #3
Dr. Stockmann: "At all events I assure you I don't waste money unprofitably. But I can't find it in my heart to deny myself the pleasure of entertaining my friends." (1.92)
The Doctor does show himself to be a bit materialistic, by celebrating his amazing new lampshade and tablecloth, but the statement above highlights the fact that, ultimately, he likes to spend his money on friends. Because he was isolated for so long up north, he truly values company. It is quite ironic that such a man of the people is betrayed by them.
Quote #4
Hovstad: "it is the wealthy folk, the old families in the town, that have got us entirely in their hands." (2.83)
Hovstad is from a poor background. He's developed over the years a real dislike for the upper class. Hovstad sees the Doctor's discovery as a chance to attack the wealthy men who rule the town.
Quote #5
Aslaksen: "The Baths promise to be a regular gold-mine for the town. […] That is why we will back up the project as strongly as possible." (2.127)
Here Aslaksen states very bluntly that money is the reason he wishes to back the Doctor's proposal. Currently, he thinks that cleaning up the water will help protect the investment that the town has made. When he learns it'll end up crippling the town's economy he quickly withdraws his support. Aslaksen is completely unashamed of his belief that money makes his world go round.
Quote #6
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "We should probably have to abandon the whole thing [the Baths], which has cost us so much money-and then you would have ruined your native town." (2.210)
The Mayor refuses to support his bother's suggestions for cleaning up the Baths because it will cripple the town's economy. The fact that town and its visitors' health will suffer is secondary to the fact the town will suffer financially. The circumstances of the play highlight how money is often the key motivation in society.
Quote #7
Mrs. Stockmann: "if you go on defying him […] You will find yourself again without the means of subsistence, with no income to count upon." (2.321)
At this point in the play, Mrs. Stockmann thinks money is way more important than her husband's high-minded ideals. Is she wrong? The Doctor is putting his whole family in jeopardy by defying his brother over the Baths. Is it right for Dr. Stockmann to condemn his family to possible starvation, whatever the reason?
Quote #8
Billing: "It is an infernal nuisance that we don't possess some capital to trade on." (3.90)
Billing and Hovstad are trapped by their lack of money. They just can't run the paper without it. It is because of this that the Mayor is able to so easily manipulate them later on.
Quote #9
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "If the town wants these very extensive alterations, it will have to pay for them." (3.223)
The Mayor knows that it all comes down to money. He knows that he can win everybody to his side just by pointing out that his brother's plan to renovate the Baths will cost the town a fortune. It takes him no time at all to turn everyone against his brother, all for the love of money.
Quote #10
Morten Kiil: "Do you know what money I have bought these shares with? […] It is the money that Katherine and Petra and the boys will have when I am gone. […] the whole of the money is invested in the Baths now. (5.171-173)
Kiil is trying to use money as a weapon against his son-in-law. Of everyone who tries to tempt the Doctor to betray his principles, Kiil gets the closest. Here the money is directly tied to the well being of Dr. Stockmann's family. Ultimately, Kiil's attempt to gain power over the Doctor fails, but the fact that Dr. Stockmann briefly considers backing down seems to show just how strong a force wealth can be.