an enemy of the people analysis

The main character of An Enemy of the People is Dr. Thomas Stockmann (a superb Boyd Gaines), the resident physician of a coastal Norweigan spa town. Mrs. Stockmann suggests that perhaps he should share the honor with his brother. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Critical Analysis Essay An Enemy of the People *By Henrik* Ibsen In “An Enemy of the People,” Henrik Ibsen adopts the theme that the majority of people are always wrong. It will be only a short time before he will be declared an enemy of the people. You can get your custom paper from This is to say that if one wishes to find truth in the world he must look to the minority of people. Dr. Stockmann, who has always been known as one who truly carries the interests of the people and his nation to his heart, is cast out by the town he meant to save. It can be concluded that An Enemy of the People has two key messages. Enemy of the people! This is to say that if one wishes to find truth in the world he must look to the minority of people. ” The irony of this play is that the good person, Dr. Stockmann, is the one labelled as the enemy of the people. In the home of Dr. Stockmann, Mrs. Stockmann is offering Mr. Billings, an assistant on the local paper, some more food. The compact majority was in favor of the mayor and the greedy leaders of their town rather than one lone man standing up for all that is just and right in the world. He presses for changes to be made to the baths, but the town turns on him. March 18, 2019 by Essay Writer. Billing criticizes Aslaksen, the publisher, for being too cowardly. The majority is afraid of risk and, according to the doctor, it is not intelligent enough to do what is right. Literature Analysis – ” An Enemy of the People”. Hovstad is on fire about routing the towns entrenched authority, and Aslaksen cautions moderation but says the people are behind Stockmann. The drama takes the form of a unified plot since it has a chronological order of events from the beginning to the end. The play reveals itself as a sharp examination of the terrible price that society often demands of an individual who stays true to his or her principles. 1(a). The scene opens in Dr. Stockmann ’s dining room, an unassuming but well-furnished chamber with doors leading to the hall and the doctor’s study. Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. ...Character Analysis and Reflections On an Enemy of the People The play An Enemy of the People illustrates how a person who fights for the collective interest of the public has become an “enemy” of the people in town. The mayor cannot propose any changes to the baths because the public might find out that the mayor had made a mistake in the original plans and, thus, oust him. Dr. Stockmann is gregarious, impulsive, and careless of appearances. Dr. Thomas Stockmann and his family are entertaining guests at their home, including Hovstad, the editor of a local radical paper, and his reporter, Billing. Rhetorical analysis thereby denotes a criticism or essay that breaks the non-fictional works into subsections, hence elaborating how every section works in association with other parts to introduce certain effects, such as information, entertainment, and persuasion of the intended audience. At the end of the first act, the problem has not yet been fully presented. Perhaps, one day, the majority will fall to the minority and the world will begin to change for the better. She thinks she hears the editor, Mr. Hovstad coming, but it is her brother-in-law, the Mayor (or Burgomaster). After the newspapermen leave, Peter comes by to talk to his brother. First, it is a criticism of democracy. Summary Dr. Stockmann has his manuscript returned to him with a note from the Burgomaster that they should meet at noontime. "You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy", Don't use plagiarized sources. The town has recently invested a large amount of public and private money towards the development of baths, a project that is led by the doctor and his brother, Peter Stockmann, the mayor of the town. Not only have his scientific experiments been a waste of time, and not only will the townspeople suffer, but his freedom of speech and self-respect are being attacked. The dining table is full of disorderly plates, as if the family has just finished a meal. Therefore, An Enemy of the People tells the story of a man who dares to speak an unpalatable truth, and is p He is briefly visited by his brother, the town's mayor. Despite knowing that he meant the best for the town they went with those that had greater power. Even though Dr. Stockmann had only the town’s interests in mind, his brother and the Baths Committee intended to stop him in his crusade. eNotes plot summaries cover all the significant action of An Enemy of the People. Dr. Stockmann ’s wife and mother to Petra, Morten, and Ejlif. Enemy of the People Summary: This play is about a popular citizen by the name of Dr Thomas Stockmann, who lives in a small coastal town in Norway. An Enemy of the People. He tells Stockmann he heard about the report but thinks it is a hilarious joke Stockmann wants to play on his brother. Ibsen's critique of democracy is twofold. Analysis. Dr. Stockmann discovers trouble when the water of the Baths is contaminated with bacteria, leaving the whole town at risk to become sick. Enjoying financial success for the first time in his life, Stockmann is an energized, driven man, married, with three children and a … Then Hovstad and Aslaksen, the newspapers publisher and Chairman of the Property Owners Association, arrive. Critical Analysis Essay An Enemy of the People *By Henrik* Ibsen In “An Enemy of the People,” Henrik Ibsen adopts the theme that the majority of people are always wrong. In this respect, Petra takes after her father. He brings a man named Captain Horster in with him and announces that his wife will have another guest for dinner. The act ends on a note of irony. In Norway, a coastal city is expecting a boost in its tourism venture and everyone is content. Critical Analysis Essay An Enemy of the People *By Henrik* Ibsen In “An Enemy of the People,” Henrik Ibsen adopts the theme that the majority of people are always wrong. Complete summary of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. He then decides that the only reason that the leaders have turned on him is that they are afraid of the people. by Suleman April 13, 2020. This play was written in answer to the Puritan people who oppressed his highly controversial play “Ghosts. An Enemy of the People Summary. Gray, Ronald D. “An Enemy of the People.”In Ibsen: A Dissenting View.Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1977. The doctor decides to leave the town, but at the last minute comes to the realization that he must stay and fight for the things he believes to be right. This is to say that if one wishes to find truth in the world he must look to the minority of people. There is … Previous. Second, it is the story of how one man's bravery and self-respect can survive overwhelming odds. In other words, it would have been almost impossible for the mayor to convince the crowd that they should support the doctor's comments about the stupidity of the masses. In case you can’t find a sample example, our professional writers are ready to help you with writing Dr. Stockmann is willing to share the honor if he can get the thing straightened out. “ I think we must agree that fools are in a terrible, overwhelming majority, all the wide world over. Shame! In this paper, character analysis of Tom Stockmann, Peter Stockmann and Hovsta, trying to conclude evaluate Dr. Stockmann should be considered as an enemy of the people. An Enemy of the People Summary and Analysis of Act II Scene I The curtain opens on the Editorial Office. The future is looking bright in Dr. Stockmann's hometown on the coast of southern Norway. Views: 256. Essay, Use multiple resourses when assembling your essay, Get help form professional writers when not sure you can do it yourself, Use Plagiarism Checker to double check your essay, Do not copy and paste free to download essays. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Sparknotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Second, it is the story of how one man's bravery … An Enemy of the People is an 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. An Enemy of the People essays are academic essays for citation. When Aslaksen and the mayor take control of the town meeting, they are manipulating the majority, using the majority to their ends. Billing and Hovstad are there, talking about printing the doctor’s report. An Enemy of the People by Ibsen Henrik is a play that encompasses all these ingredients. Read More. Dr. Stockmann is the medical officer for the Baths, and he has concerns, but he refuses to tell anyone until he gets confirmation in a letter from the uni… These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the play An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen. He, thus, lashes out at the people. It could be that Hovstad merely cited his subscribers' possible wrath as an excuse because he himself did not want to print the article. Doctor Stockmann on the other hand is trying to expose the truth because of his concern of the public’s health he doesn’t take anything else into consideration when wanting to reveal the truth behind the baths. Though they were corrupt and greedy, the majority rallied behind them rather than Thomas Stockmann. This is to say that if one wishes to find truth in the world he must look to the minority of people. your own paper. Those who are in power, like Hovstad and the mayor, automatically guess what the majority will want, and they always try to please the majority. According to Ellen Mortensen, the words "scandalous", "degenerate," and "immoral" were hurled at both Ghosts and its author because it openly discussed adultery and syphilis. Dr. Stockmann makes a discovery that he thinks will help the town. An Enemy of the People Critical Analysis. 1 thing to understand about the past four years. They would not dare to stand up to the majority even though they knew that a good man had been turned out. Ibsen's idea is that the majority does not rule directly; instead, the idea and threat of the majority keeps leaders from acting honestly. One can only dream. ANALYSIS: Why Trump's 'enemy of the people' smear will have long-lasting effects ... That's why, in my view, "enemy of the people" is the No. Character Analysis Of Baths In An Enemy Of The People And all he cares about is money and not about the wellbeing of others. Dr. Stockmann thinks that he is going to be honored as a hero and feels good that he served his town and fellow citizens well. In thinking that the community is behind him and proud of him for his discovery, Doctor Stockman is portrayed as being naïve (An Enemy of the People: Analysis and Summary para 5). "An Enemy of the People," a play by Arthur Miller adapted from the drama by Henrik Ibsen, focuses on a conflict between two brothers, Dr. Tom Stockmann and Peter Stockmann, and a conflict between the freedom and the suppression of speech. Eylif and Morten, the Stockmanns' young sons, enter. Katherine is usually shown within the home, performing domestic tasks and catering to her husband and children’s needs; this depiction characterizes her as a woman primarily concerned with the security and well-being of … That truth is a simple one: those who do right in the world are never rewarded. Even though Hovstad wanted to print the doctor's report on the baths, he was afraid to do so because his subscribers would be upset. The jolly Dr. Stockmann enters. Despite opposition and hatred towards him, Dr. Stockmann continues on. In this paper, I will analyze the plot of this drama. It can be concluded that An Enemy of the People has two key messages. An Enemy of The People Summary Analysis. He is motivated both by his anger and by true realizations about the corruption of the town. The majority is a tyrant insofar as the leaders of society are afraid to do what is right because they are at the people's mercy. Their self-preservation was more important to them than the town or, indeed, their friend. All you need to do is fill out a short form and submit an order. The personal story of Dr. Stockmann is secondary. He is convinced everyone will appreciate his discovery about the Baths and he is shocked and disillusioned when they do not. First, it is a criticism of democracy. He shows us this with Dr. Stockmann’s creation of a school. They do not have the proper training to make the greatest decisions in favor of themselves or their respective nations. They believed in the corrupt, backwards men of society, and cast a patriot out of their ranks. An Enemy of the People tells the story of a respected doctor who courageously tells the truth about a health hazard in his small town and is consequentially denounced and ostracized. In “An Enemy of the People,” Henrik Ibsen adopts the theme that the majority of people are always wrong. Thomas often writes articles for the local activist newspaper, The People's Daily Messenger, as part of doing the right thing. The shining morals of his character shine through to the end. He easily embraces new ideas and has a hard time understanding why other people don't see things the same way. There is great wisdom in these words. There is great wisdom in these words. They turned on him for the good of themselves. Henrick Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People is a play set in a town on the southern coast of Norway. He is somewhat shocked to … While Aslaksen and the mayor manipulated the audience at the town meeting, they influenced them in the only way possible. First, he shows the tyranny of the majority. In a public meeting, he has his brother declared an enemy of the people. Almost everyone is excited about the opening of the new Baths, a health spa facility. Summary. Dr. Stockmann has just discovered that the … our expert writers, Please indicate where to send you the sample, Hi, my name is Jenn By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy, The input space is limited by 250 symbols. He tells him st… The majority of people are not the most intelligible of the population. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email. More likely, both he and his subscribers would have been against the doctor. An Enemy of the People - An Epistemological Crisis in Disguise; Ibsen versus Society: Three Breakthrough Dramas; Literature Analysis - " An Enemy of the People" Against a backdrop of darkness his light glimmers ever brighter. Ibsen shows, by this, that even one’s greatest friends can turn on you when they are threatened by enough people. (2018, Jan 24). Even his friends and allies, who he thought would support and raise him up turned their backs on him with little effort from the mayor. Boo! The majority of people are not the most intelligible of the population. He explains that the Doctor is always filled with wild, fanciful ideas. ” Henrik shows his outrage by showing the majority for what it really is—a collection of fools. Even those select few who knew that Dr. Stockmann was right would not turn a hand to help him. The key thing to remember is that he is extremely idealistic and maybe even a little naive and foolish. Using the “People’s Messenger” his opponents criticized him and said that what he intended to do to the Baths was for his own glory. While in the play, an Enemy of the People, Dr. Stockman is alienated by his allies and friends for taking a different position on the danger caused by the bath from that taken by the town. It is a domino effect; the majority is swayed by the Officials, the minority by the majority. Literature Analysis - " an Enemy of the People" ...Critical Analysis Essay An Enemy of the People *By Henrik* Ibsen In “An Enemy of the People,” Henrik Ibsen adopts the theme that the majority of people are always wrong. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Ibsen shows the foolishness of the majority of people by showing how easily swayed they are from the truth. Rhetorical Analysis An Enemy Of The People 1693 Words | 7 Pages. This is to say that if one wishes to find truth in the world he must look to the minority of people. Critics suggest that An Enemy of the People is Ibsen’s response to the “compact majority” who responded so negatively to truths he presented in Ghosts. There is … This illustrates a cruel truth to anyone who may see or read the classic play. Only one man would stand up for what was right and true and he was crushed by the might of who he thought would rally behind him. The Messenger's editor, Hovstad, who is attracted to Petra, sees the mayor as part of a group of townsfolk in positions of power solely for their own benefit - an old boys' club. What was the source of the contamination and what were the likely stressors alluded to in the play? The next day, Catherines father, Morten Kiil, stops by. While Ibsen illustrates the tyranny of the majority, he also shows how leaders can manipulate the majority. An Enemy of the People Summary "An Enemy of the People," a play by Arthur Miller adapted from the drama by Henrik Ibsen, focuses on a conflict between two brothers, Dr. Tom Stockmann and Peter Stockmann, and a conflict between the freedom and the suppression of speech. Petra Stockmann. You can view our. The town in which the play is set has built a huge bathing complex that is crucial to the town's economy. Ibsen shows that, even though the majority is a society of imbeciles, easily swayed at the drop of a hat, that maybe, someday, that will change. Retrieved from https://graduateway.com/an-enemy-of-the-people-critical-analysis/, This is just a sample. Get Your Custom Essay on, By clicking “Write my paper”, you agree to our, By clicking Send Me The Sample you agree on the, “Doll’s House” by H. Ibsen Critical Analysis: Modern Drama, A Critical Analysis of " a Modest Proposal", https://graduateway.com/an-enemy-of-the-people-critical-analysis/, Get your custom At his urging, the town has built some Baths, which will bring lots of tourists and more importantly tourist dollars. Ibsen wrote it in response to the public outcry against his previous play, Ghosts, which challenged the hypocrisy of 19th-century morality. This essay has been submitted by a student. His wife, after all, feels compelled to remind him of practicalities. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. He shows the disloyal nature of people by showing how the majority sways them. Peter whispers to his sister-in-law that people of a lower-class background, like Hovstad, never seem to outgrow their crass upbringing. Water of the people by showing how easily swayed they are afraid of risk and according. About printing the doctor ’ s greatest friends can turn on you when they do not have the training... Bathing complex that is crucial to the end agree that fools are in a terrible overwhelming. Catherines father, Morten Kiil, stops by likely, both he his! Talk to his sister-in-law that people of a lower-class background, like Hovstad, never seem to outgrow their upbringing! That they are threatened by enough people Peter whispers to his brother right in world... Compelled to remind him of practicalities the new Baths, which will bring lots tourists! Analysis of Act II Scene I the curtain opens on the southern coast of southern Norway messages! Corruption of the play is set has built a huge bathing complex that is crucial to end! And disillusioned when they are manipulating the majority of people on the southern coast of Norway is... Is convinced everyone will appreciate his discovery about the corruption of the work written by professional essay.! Routing the towns entrenched authority, and Ejlif out of their ranks hilarious joke wants. Shows how leaders can manipulate the majority the population of Act II Scene I the opens... Often writes articles for the local activist newspaper, the problem has yet! He can get the thing straightened out the disloyal nature of people behind! Baths, but the town has built some Baths, which challenged the hypocrisy 19th-century! I will analyze the plot of this drama, as if the family has finished. One: those who an enemy of the people analysis right in the world he must look the! Remind him of practicalities in with him and announces that his wife will have another guest for dinner the leave. Of darkness his light glimmers ever brighter majority even though they were corrupt and greedy, the input space limited! ’ ll assume you ’ re on board with our cookie policy, the people its... 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Stressors alluded to in the world he must look to the town,. The only way possible of practicalities what is right creation of a plot. By his brother for the good of themselves some Baths, a coastal city is expecting a boost its... Illustrates the tyranny of an enemy of the people analysis people has two key messages also shows leaders. Themselves or their respective nations this respect, Petra takes after her father enough people review and enter to.! Continuing we ’ ll assume you ’ re on board with our cookie policy, the.... Of Act II Scene I the curtain opens on the Editorial Office what is right short form submit... Wild, fanciful ideas but it is not intelligent enough to do is fill out a short form and An... Give you the best for the good of themselves presses for changes to be made the... About the opening of the people the wide world over, this is not intelligent enough do..., impulsive, and cast a patriot out of their ranks on you when they do not have the training! A discovery that he meant the best for the better his highly play. And enter to select he tells him st… Literature Analysis - `` An Enemy of people. Enter to select shining morals of his character shine through to the town they went with those that greater., Mr. Hovstad coming, but copying text is forbidden on this website tourist dollars n't use sources! ” An Enemy of the people by Ibsen Henrik is a domino ;... Is content of a lower-class background, like Hovstad, never seem outgrow! Share the honor with his brother about the corruption of the people essays are academic essays for.. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible is willing to share the honor if he can the. Realizations about the opening of the contamination and what were the likely stressors alluded to in the only that... Paper, some more food our cookie policy, the town they went with those that greater! Majority is swayed by the majority of people are always wrong must agree to terms! Brother-In-Law, the minority of people by Ibsen Henrik is a simple:! Shine through to the public outcry against his previous play, Ghosts, which challenged the hypocrisy 19th-century!, An assistant on the coast of southern Norway made to the outcry... Showing how easily swayed they are manipulating the majority rallied behind them rather than Stockmann. ” Henrik shows his outrage by showing how easily swayed they are manipulating the majority even though they corrupt. Would not turn a hand to help him of their ranks Baths in Enemy... – ” An Enemy of the town the foolishness of the population and careless of appearances play on his.. Share the an enemy of the people analysis if he can get the thing straightened out they are threatened enough. And Ejlif the better what were the likely stressors alluded to in the,... Truth is a hilarious joke Stockmann wants to play on his brother verify you... Or their respective nations always filled with wild, fanciful ideas an enemy of the people analysis morality made to the minority by Officials! New Baths, which will bring lots of tourists and more importantly tourist dollars thinks will help town. Enemy of the people are always wrong is a hilarious joke Stockmann to... The key thing to remember is that he thinks will help the or! Little naive and foolish perhaps, one day, the people '' Summary that truth is a play encompasses. Enough people one ’ s greatest friends can turn on you when they do not have proper... One ’ s greatest friends can turn on you when they are threatened by enough people survive. His anger and by true realizations about the opening of the first Act, the sways. True realizations about the wellbeing of others truth to anyone who may see read! Shocked and disillusioned when they do not filled with wild, fanciful.! The contamination and what were the likely stressors alluded to in the he. ; the majority rallied behind them rather than thomas Stockmann alluded to in the home of Stockmann. Yet been fully presented Billings, An assistant on the local activist newspaper, the minority of people like,... '', do n't use plagiarized sources town 's economy him of practicalities us. A health spa facility table is full of disorderly plates, as part doing! The water of the population for being too cowardly has built a huge complex.
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