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. Just on that account. Yes, you may thank God that I possessed the necessary firmness; that I succeeded in dissuading you from your wild designs; and that it was vouchsafed me to lead you back to the path of duty, and home to your lawful husband. (1.364)
Manders acknowledges his attraction to Mrs. Alving, only to laud himself for resisting temptation. This is one of a few places in which he describes Mrs. Alving as wild, erratic, unpredictable. It seems like he might be afraid of women in general.
Quote #8
MANDERS. [Softly, with emotion.] And was that the upshot of my life's hardest battle? (2.90)
Manders admits that resisting Mrs. Alving was a battle. There are not many moments in the play when Manders shows the soft side that a young Mrs. Alving may have fallen in love with, but this is one of them.
Quote #9
MANDERS. Never – never in my most secret thoughts have I regarded you otherwise than as another's wife.
MRS. ALVING. Oh – indeed?
MANDERS. Helen – ! (2.98-100)
Why is Manders so unwilling to admit his feelings for Mrs. Alving, feelings almost twenty years old at this point? Perhaps they still exist and he fears that something could ignite between them. Whatever the case, he tellingly says her first name in this moment.