Act IV
Scene.—The same garden-room. It is a stormy afternoon and growing dark.
Bernick is apprised that he is to be most honourably fêted by his fellow citizens who are about to form a procession, and to parade before his house with music. The proudest moment of his life is at hand. But the fact that the sea is running high outside the harbour is causing great agitation to the mind of Bernick. Lona looks in to say that she has been saying farewell to Johan. He has not changed his determination to sail. A strange incident happens. Little Olaf Bernick runs away from home to slip on board the ship and accompany his uncle to America.
Lona: So the great hour has arrived. The whole town is to be illuminated.
Bernick (pacing to and fro in agitation): Yes. Lona, you despise me.
Lona: Not yet.
Bernick: You have no right to despise me. For you little realise how lonely I stand in this narrow society. What have I accomplished, with all my efforts? We who are considered the pillars of society are but its tools after all. Since you came home from America I have been keenly feeling all this. All this show and deception gives me no satisfaction. But I work for my son, who will be able to found a truer state of things and to be happier than his father.
Lona: With a lie for its basis? Think what an heritage you are preparing for Olaf.
Bernick: Why did you and Johan come home to crush me?
Lona: Let me just tell you that after all Johan will not come back to crush you. For he has gone for ever and Dina has gone also to become his wife.
Bernick (amazed): Gone—in the Indian Girl?
Lona: They did not dare to risk their lives in that crazy tub. They are in the Palm Tree.
Bernick rushes to his office to order the Indian Girl to be stopped in the harbour, but he learns that she already is out at sea. But presently Hilmar comes to tell him that Olaf has run away in the Indian Girl. He cries out that the ship must be stopped at any cost. Krap says it is impossible. Music is heard, for the procession is approaching. Bernick, in an agony of soul, declares that he cannot receive anyone. The whole street blazes with the illuminations, and on a great transparency on the opposite house gleams the inscription, "Long live Karsten Bernick, the Pillar of our Society!"
Bernick (at the window, shrinking back): I cannot look at all this. Away with all these mocking words! I shall never see Olaf again.
Mrs. Bernick: You will see him again, Karsten, all right. I have got him. Do you think a mother does not watch? I overheard a few words from our boy which set me on my guard. I and Aune went in the sailing boat from the yard and reached the Indian Girl when she was on the point of sailing, and he was soon discovered hiding away.
Bernick: And is the ship under sail again?
Mrs. Bernick: No. The darkness came on more densely, the pilot was alarmed, and so Aune, in your name, took it on himself to order the ship to stay till to-morrow.
Bernick: What an unspeakable blessing.
Krap: The procession is coming through the garden gate, consul.
Rector Rörlund, at the head of the procession, makes a presentation to Bernick in the name of the committee, and expresses the public esteem and admiration for the consul's services to society. Bernick, to the astonishment of the audience, proceeds to make a full confession of the duplicity and deceit of which he has been guilty. He unreservedly places himself in the hands of the people, who quietly disperse. Bernick at once finds that, whatever the people may think, he has won the sympathy of all his own circle. Lona lays her hands on his shoulder with the words, "Brother-in-law, you have at last discovered that the spirit of Truth and the spirit of Freedom are the real Pillars of Society."
FOOTNOTES:
[O] "The Pillars of Society," published in 1877, is perhaps the most conspicuous of the series of psychological dramatic studies through which Ibsen has exercised untold influence on European drama. In it he deals with the problem of hypocrisy in a small commercial centre of industry, and pours scorn on contemporary humanity, while cherishing the highest hopes of human possibilities for the future.
[BEN JONSON][P]
[Every Man in His Humour]
Persons in the Comedy
Old Knowell | ||
Young Knowell, in love with Bridget | ||
Brain-Worm | ||
Master Stephen, a country gull | ||
Master Matthew, a town gull | ||
Captain Bobadill | ||
Down-Right | ||
Well-Bred, his half-brother | ||
Kitely, husband to Down-right's sister | ||
Cob, | Cash, | Formal |
Justice Clement | ||
Dame Kitely | ||
Bridget, Kitely's sister | ||
Tib, Cob's wife | ||