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Scene Study prepares you to perform key scenes for your theater class or audition. We've got all the information you need for a great performance.

Excerpt from Act 2 Dialogue: Peter Stockmann, Dr. Stockmann, Mrs. Stockmann, Petra

 

DR. STOCKMANN

And if I do not—obey? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Then we shall publish a statement ourselves to reassure the public. 

DR. STOCKMANN

Very well; but in that case I shall use my pen against you. I stick to what I have said; I will show that I am right and that you are wrong. And what will you do then? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Then I shall not be able to prevent your being dismissed. 

Read the full dialogue.
 

 

Understanding the Given Circumstances

  • Peter Stockmann is the mayor of the town and chairman of the board overseeing the Baths, which are critical to the town’s economy.  
  • Peter confronts his brother, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who has discovered that the town’s baths are polluted. The confrontation takes place in Dr. Stockmann’s home. ​​​​The setting is private but charged with tension, as it reflects the first time these two brothers fight over personal and professional matters. Dr. Stockmann’s wife and daughter can overhear the argument. 
  • Leading up to this confrontation, Dr. Stockmann has shared his concerns with the newspaper and key individuals in the town, which Peter perceives as a threat to the town’s prosperity and his own authority. 
  • The mayor’s primary objective is to silence Dr. Stockmann. He pressures Dr. Stockmann to retract his statements and align with the town’s leadership to avoid economic fallout.  
  • Dr. Stockmann must decide whether to comply with his brother’s demands or stand by his principles and risk alienation from his townsfolk. 

 

Blocking and Movement

In theater, blocking is the process of planning the actors’ physical movements and positions. Be sure to show respect and establish trust when working with scene partners. As you prepare to block this scene, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Where in Dr. Stockmann’s home does this conversation take place? Are the actors standing or seated as the monologue begins, and does the position of each convey control or authority? 
  • How does Peter Stockmann feel about having to confront his brother directly? Does he pace the room, stand still to assert dominance, or move closer to Thomas to emphasize key points? 
  • As Peter discusses the Baths and their importance to the town’s prosperity, does he gesture outward, as if referencing the town as a whole, or keep his movements controlled and precise to underscore his calculated approach? 
  • Does Peter maintain eye contact with Dr. Stockmann throughout the exchange, or does he occasionally look away, perhaps as a way of dismissing or minimizing Dr. Stockmann’s perspective? 
  • Consider Peter’s tone and how his movements support his words. Is his body language stiff and formal to mirror his role as mayor, or does it occasionally betray personal frustration with his brother? 
  • How might Peter and Dr. Stockmann react to the sudden entrance of Dr. Stockmann’s wife and daughter? 

 

Meaning in Heightened Language

In An Enemy of the People, Ibsen’s heightened language conveys authority, frustration, and manipulation. Every word and phrase reflect Peter Stockmann’s need to assert dominance and undermine his brother’s credibility. By focusing on Ibsen’s deliberate use of language and the emotional experience it evokes, an actor can bring depth and nuance to Peter’s character and create a more powerful performance. 

Consider the following:  

  • Peter’s language is formal and structured, reflecting his role as the mayor and his calculated approach to controlling the situation. For example, phrases like “You have no conception what an amount of harm you do yourself by your impetuosity” and “The matter in hand is not simply a scientific one” demonstrate his bureaucratic tone. However, underneath this formality is a layer of anger and condescension, revealed through Peter’s use of emotionally charged personal attacks like “I know how irritable you are” and “such a cantankerous man.” How does Peter’s word choice reflect how he wants others to view him? How does his word choice reflect how he wants others to view Dr. Stockmann?  
  • Peter repeats certain words, such as “authority” and “superiors,” that underscore his focus on hierarchy and control. How might you pronounce these words to help call the audience’s attention to their significance and what they symbolize? 
  • When performing the scene, experiment with different vocal qualities to highlight these elements. Consider leaning into the clipped delivery of Peter Stockmann’s more critical lines to emphasize his frustration. How might softening the tone in moments of persuasion emphasize Peter’s manipulative tactics?  

 

Full Act 2 Dialogue: Peter Stockmann, Dr. Stockmann, Mrs. Stockmann, Petra

 

DR. STOCKMANN

Well, but is it not the duty of a citizen to let the public share in any new ideas he may have? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Oh, the public doesn’t require any new ideas. The public is best served by the good, old established ideas it already has. 

DR. STOCKMANN

And that is your honest opinion? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Yes, and for once I must talk frankly to you. Hitherto I have tried to avoid doing so, because I know how irritable you are; but now I must tell you the truth, Thomas. You have no conception what an amount of harm you do yourself by your impetuosity. You complain of the authorities, you even complain of the government—you are always pulling them to pieces; you insist that you have been neglected and persecuted. But what else can such a cantankerous man as you expect? 

DR. STOCKMANN

What next! Cantankerous, am I? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Yes, Thomas, you are an extremely cantankerous man to work with—I know that to my cost. You disregard everything that you ought to have consideration for. You seem completely to forget that it is me you have to thank for your appointment here as medical officer to the Baths. 

DR. STOCKMANN

I was entitled to it as a matter of course!—I and nobody else! I was the first person to see that the town could be made into a flourishing watering-place, and I was the only one who saw it at that time. I had to fight single-handed in support of the idea for many years; and I wrote and wrote— 

PETER STOCKMANN

Undoubtedly. But things were not ripe for the scheme then—though, of course, you could not judge of that in your out-of-the-way corner up north. But as soon as the opportune moment came I—and the others—took the matter into our hands. 

DR. STOCKMANN 

Yes, and made this mess of all my beautiful plan. It is pretty obvious now what clever fellows you were! 

PETER STOCKMANN

To my mind the whole thing only seems to mean that you are seeking another outlet for your combativeness. You want to pick a quarrel with your superiors—an old habit of yours. You cannot put up with any authority over you. You look askance at anyone who occupies a superior official position; you regard him as a personal enemy, and then any stick is good enough to beat him with. But now I have called your attention to the fact that the town’s interests are at stake—and, incidentally, my own too. And therefore, I must tell you, Thomas, that you will find me inexorable with regard to what I am about to require you to do. 

DR. STOCKMANN

And what is that? 

PETER STOCKMANN

As you have been so indiscreet as to speak of this delicate matter to outsiders, despite the fact that you ought to have treated it as entirely official and confidential, it is obviously impossible to hush it up now. All sorts of rumours will get about directly, and everybody who has a grudge against us will take care to embellish these rumours. So it will be necessary for you to refute them publicly. 

DR. STOCKMANN

I! How? I don’t understand. 

PETER STOCKMANN

What we shall expect is that, after making further investigations, you will come to the conclusion that the matter is not by any means as dangerous or as critical as you imagined in the first instance. 

DR. STOCKMANN

Oho!—so that is what you expect! 

PETER STOCKMANN

And, what is more, we shall expect you to make public profession of your confidence in the Committee and in their readiness to consider fully and conscientiously what steps may be necessary to remedy any possible defects. 

DR. STOCKMANN

But you will never be able to do that by patching and tinkering at it—never! Take my word for it, Peter; I mean what I say, as deliberately and emphatically as possible. 

PETER STOCKMANN

As an officer under the Committee, you have no right to any individual opinion. 

DR. STOCKMANN (amazed)

No right? 

PETER STOCKMANN

In your official capacity, no. As a private person, it is quite another matter. But as a subordinate member of the staff of the Baths, you have no right to express any opinion which runs contrary to that of your superiors. 

DR. STOCKMANN

This is too much! I, a doctor, a man of science, have no right to—! 

PETER STOCKMANN

The matter at hand is not simply a scientific one. It is a complicated matter and has its economic as well as its technical side. 

DR. STOCKMANN

I don’t care what it is! I intend to be free to express my opinion on any subject under the sun. 

PETER STOCKMANN

As you please—but not on any subject concerning the Baths. That we forbid. 

DR. STOCKMANN (shouting)

You forbid—! You! A pack of— 

PETER STOCKMANN

I forbid it—I, your chief; and if I forbid it, you have to obey. 

DR. STOCKMANN (controlling himself) 

Peter—if you were not my brother— 

PETRA (throwing open the door) 

Father, you shan’t stand this! 

MRS. STOCKMANN (coming in after her) 

Petra, Petra! 

PETER STOCKMANN

Oh, so you have been eavesdropping. 

MRS. STOCKMANN

You were talking so loud, we couldn’t help it! 

PETRA

Yes, I was listening. 

PETER STOCKMANN

Well, after all, I am very glad— 

DR. STOCKMANN (going up to him)

You were saying something about forbidding and obeying? 

PETER STOCKMANN

You obliged me to take that tone with you. 

DR. STOCKMANN

And so I am to give myself the lie, publicly? 

PETER STOCKMANN

We consider it absolutely necessary that you should make some such public statement as I have asked for. 

DR. STOCKMANN

And if I do not—obey? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Then we shall publish a statement ourselves to reassure the public. 

DR. STOCKMANN

Very well; but in that case I shall use my pen against you. I stick to what I have said; I will show that I am right and that you are wrong. And what will you do then? 

PETER STOCKMANN

Then I shall not be able to prevent your being dismissed. 

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Next section Dialogue: Act 4: Dr. Stockmann, Peter Stockmann, Aslaksen, Billing, Hovstad

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