Question

Explain the following statement with reference to the context.

And it's by no means the small sacrifice the town will have to make.

Answer 1

This line refers to the dialogue:

"And indeed it is no small sacrifice that the town is going to make."

It is said by Peter Stockmann in his conversation with Aslaksen and Hovstad when he visits the office of the local newspaper in order to convince them to not print the doctor‘s report. The dialogue is clearly uttered as a way of letting them know that the consequences of publishing the report will be faced by the general public. By pointing out that their own interests are at stake, the Mayor successfully manipulates them into withdrawing their support for Dr. Stockmann.