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. 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. However, just as the baths are proving successful, Dr Stockmann discovers that waste products from the town’s tannery are contaminating the waters, causing illness amongst the tourists that the baths brought. He expects this important discovery to be his greatest achievement and promptly sends a detailed report to the Mayor, which includes a proposed solution which would cost the town greatly. He is taunted and denounced as an “Enemy of the People” while trying to convince the town people to stay away from the baths.
Character Analysis
Doctor Thomas Stockmann is a practicing medical doctor, the medical officer of the town baths and the brother of the mayor who got him the job at the baths. Stockmann is idealistic and excitable. For much of his life he was destitute and lived in the countryside. He is now fairly happy and prosperous living In the small yet bustling town.
Petra Stockmann is the daughter of Thomas and Katherine. She is as idealistic as her father and is a hard working teacher. She is frustrated that the law requires her to teach things she doesn’t believe in.
Katherine Stockmann is the doctor’s wife. She is loyal and practical and often encourages her husband to think of his family when he is being rash.
Peter Stockmann is the doctor’s brother and is also the mayor of the bustling town. He is also chairman of the baths committee and is described as a cautious yet ruthless and cunning politician.
Aslaksen is the town newspaper’s printer. Because he lets the paper print on credit, he has a degree of editorial control. He is also the chairman of the homeowner’s association, which represents the town’s small business class. He also has great influence with the Temperance Society, and he is a lover of moderation.
Billing is an assistant at the newspaper and is a radical like the editor of the newspaper, but he is also ambitious and plans to run for office. He is in some way trying to court Petra Stockmann.
Enemy of the people takes place in the south of Norway. IT also takes place in the stockman’s sitting room, a newspaper office, a large meeting room and the doctor’s study. It starts out in a coastal town of Norway in what is a primary tourist destination due to its quaint small size. The doctor likes its particularly humid climate because he hated being in the freezing cold northern regions of Norway. In Act one it takes place in the stockman’s sitting room. This seen is special because it shows the warmth and friendly nature of Dr. Stockman who is known for being a very hospitable man. The office is important to the setting because it is the worst betrayal, here the Doctor learns that Hovstad and Aslaksen have turned on him. This is where he learns about the Medias corruption. In act 4 the large meeting room in Captain Horsters house This is where Doctor stockman is supposed to make his speech. In the last act Doctor Stockman’s study is shown to some degree of importance. In the stage direction its stated "In the right hand wall are two windows, of which all the panes are broken" This shows the rage that the towns people shown to him by smashing the windows in Doctor Stockmen’s sanctuary. His place of peace was ravage by misunderstandings. IT is also important to note that the stage directions mention specimens in Doctor Stockmen’s cabinets showing that he is going to attempt to reeducate man.
Man Vs Man Doctor stockman has conflicts with his people that where formerly close to him.
Man vs Society Doctor stockman was a very influential person known for his hospitality but his discoveries exiled him from the people he had to fight to he heard.
Man vs technology Stockman’s discoveries that the tanning facility was poising the town’s people threatened the main source of income for the town. His discoveries where fought over by the town.
Themes of the play
Principles the story’s underlying message is sticking to ones values and principles no matter what the obstacle is. The doctor sacrifices his reputation and relationships for his principals.
Wealth this theme is what causes controversy in the town because the tanning facilities generate income but make the people sick. Monetary gain is a major power in the play.
Pride Many of the characters think highly of themselves. They are more concerned with maintain a good reputation than a good moral alignment.
Symbols
Pollution is the most important symbol of the play. Industrial waste is seeping into the town baths and bacteria is making the town deathly ill.
Jesus Christ!
In Act 4 the doctor becomes a Christ figure although he acts the opposite, although he is trying to bring salvation to the town he makes this exclamation "I am not so forgiving as a certain Person; I do not say: 'I forgive you, for ye know not what ye do'" He brings truth to the people but lacks the redemption qualities.
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzIf6EFFmpc
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/enemyofthepeople/characters.html
"An Enemy of the People." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Enemy_of_the_People
An Enemy of the People." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Mar. 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.
Summary:
This play is about a popular citizen by the name of Dr Thomas Stockmann, who lives in a small coastal town in Norway. 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. However, just as the baths are proving successful, Dr Stockmann discovers that waste products from the town’s tannery are contaminating the waters, causing illness amongst the tourists that the baths brought. He expects this important discovery to be his greatest achievement and promptly sends a detailed report to the Mayor, which includes a proposed solution which would cost the town greatly. He is taunted and denounced as an “Enemy of the People” while trying to convince the town people to stay away from the baths.
Character Analysis
Doctor Thomas Stockmann is a practicing medical doctor, the medical officer of the town baths and the brother of the mayor who got him the job at the baths. Stockmann is idealistic and excitable. For much of his life he was destitute and lived in the countryside. He is now fairly happy and prosperous living In the small yet bustling town.
Petra Stockmann is the daughter of Thomas and Katherine. She is as idealistic as her father and is a hard working teacher. She is frustrated that the law requires her to teach things she doesn’t believe in.
Katherine Stockmann is the doctor’s wife. She is loyal and practical and often encourages her husband to think of his family when he is being rash.
Peter Stockmann is the doctor’s brother and is also the mayor of the bustling town. He is also chairman of the baths committee and is described as a cautious yet ruthless and cunning politician.
Aslaksen is the town newspaper’s printer. Because he lets the paper print on credit, he has a degree of editorial control. He is also the chairman of the homeowner’s association, which represents the town’s small business class. He also has great influence with the Temperance Society, and he is a lover of moderation.
Billing is an assistant at the newspaper and is a radical like the editor of the newspaper, but he is also ambitious and plans to run for office. He is in some way trying to court Petra Stockmann.
Enemy of the people takes place in the south of Norway. IT also takes place in the stockman’s sitting room, a newspaper office, a large meeting room and the doctor’s study. It starts out in a coastal town of Norway in what is a primary tourist destination due to its quaint small size. The doctor likes its particularly humid climate because he hated being in the freezing cold northern regions of Norway. In Act one it takes place in the stockman’s sitting room. This seen is special because it shows the warmth and friendly nature of Dr. Stockman who is known for being a very hospitable man. The office is important to the setting because it is the worst betrayal, here the Doctor learns that Hovstad and Aslaksen have turned on him. This is where he learns about the Medias corruption. In act 4 the large meeting room in Captain Horsters house This is where Doctor stockman is supposed to make his speech. In the last act Doctor Stockman’s study is shown to some degree of importance. In the stage direction its stated "In the right hand wall are two windows, of which all the panes are broken" This shows the rage that the towns people shown to him by smashing the windows in Doctor Stockmen’s sanctuary. His place of peace was ravage by misunderstandings. IT is also important to note that the stage directions mention specimens in Doctor Stockmen’s cabinets showing that he is going to attempt to reeducate man.
Man Vs Man Doctor stockman has conflicts with his people that where formerly close to him.
Man vs Society Doctor stockman was a very influential person known for his hospitality but his discoveries exiled him from the people he had to fight to he heard.
Man vs technology Stockman’s discoveries that the tanning facility was poising the town’s people threatened the main source of income for the town. His discoveries where fought over by the town.
Themes of the play
Principles the story’s underlying message is sticking to ones values and principles no matter what the obstacle is. The doctor sacrifices his reputation and relationships for his principals.
Wealth this theme is what causes controversy in the town because the tanning facilities generate income but make the people sick. Monetary gain is a major power in the play.
Pride Many of the characters think highly of themselves. They are more concerned with maintain a good reputation than a good moral alignment.
Symbols
Pollution is the most important symbol of the play. Industrial waste is seeping into the town baths and bacteria is making the town deathly ill.
Jesus Christ!
In Act 4 the doctor becomes a Christ figure although he acts the opposite, although he is trying to bring salvation to the town he makes this exclamation "I am not so forgiving as a certain Person; I do not say: 'I forgive you, for ye know not what ye do'" He brings truth to the people but lacks the redemption qualities.
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzIf6EFFmpc
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/enemyofthepeople/characters.html
"An Enemy of the People." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Enemy_of_the_People
An Enemy of the People." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Mar. 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.