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 William Archer's translation.
Quote #7
MANDERS. But I thought few of those young fellows could afford to set up house and support a family.
OSWALD. There are many who cannot afford to marry, sir. (1.315-316)
Money pops up all over this play as an entity that makes people's decisions for them. For the artists, the money is irrelevant. They live they way they live, married or not.
Quote #8
OSWALD. I have met with it when one or other of our pattern husbands and fathers has come to Paris to have a look round on his own account, and has done the artists the honour of visiting their humble haunts. (1.337)
Oswald resents the visits of these middle and upper-class men who invade the artists' community. Perhaps in the same way that Captain Alving took advantage of Johanna's position, these men take advantage of theirs.
Quote #9
MRS. ALVING. Yes, that is true. Those three cast up the account for me. Oh, it's marvellous how clearly they made out that it would be downright madness to refuse such an offer. If mother could only see me now, and know what all that grandeur has come to! (2.40)
Mrs. Alving acknowledges marriage as a transaction, and bitterly blames her family for sealing the deal. Captain Alving promised financial security and upward mobility – he became a Chamberlain during their marriage – and that was good enough for Mrs. Alving's mother and aunts.