Prompt 2: What is Dr. Stockmann's motivation in revealing the truth about the polluted springs? Selfish or unselfish motives?
Dr. Stockmann's motivation for reavealing the truth about the polluted water, I believe, was originally an honest one. When he first learned of the polluted water, Stockmann was likely concerned about the people in town, and their health.
However, as time went on, and the town turned against his revelation, Stockmann began to push the issue out of spite. His brother, Peter; his father-in-law, Morten Kiil; and the people at the paper were among those who turned against him. If it was your family, would you merely drop the issue, or prove to them you were right?
Proof of this lies in Act 3, when Stockmann reveals to the audience that he never made it a secret that the pollution was coming from his father-in-law's tannery. Even though it would ruin Kiil's business, Stockmann persisted not exactly for the cleaning up of the water, but the shutting down of his tannery and the guilt of the fact that Kiil did this to the water. And there lies the difference.
Instead of curing the problem, Stockmann begins to shout the issue to everyone who will listen (besides any higher powers that may have had the right to know first). Instead, he tells to the people visiting the baths, his family, and to a local paper: all irrelevant sources to tell the information to--of course none of them are going to want to do something about it.
His motivation changed from the honest reveal that the water was hazardous and polluted, to the striving selfishness of proving himself right, despite the costs. While admirable because of what side he is on (the anti-pollution side), his attitude is still slightly caustic even when it comes to his family being alienated by the town too. His son gets beat up, his daughter gets fired, and they get evicted. And instead of solving these problems by making a deal involving SOMETHING being done with the water--anything--he does nothing. He remains of the opinion that he is right, and that is all that matters.
But he should have thought to himself--So, even if you're right, then what? What problems does being proven right solve? What actions does it engage? Nothing and none.
Actions speak louder than words. And words are just spoken louder by those with no actions.
Megan,
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! You did a great job qualifying your response. It does seem that initially Dr. Stockmann’s actions were unselfish, but as you said in your post as time went on his actions lead us to believe that he had ulterior motives for revealing the information. Make sure you site your graphics next time! Great job over all I really enjoyed reading your response.