An Enemy Of The People Analysis

Submitted By jsanchez608
Words: 814
Pages: 4
Open Document
Jacob Sanchez
AP English Language and Literature
01/06/15

One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how Dr.Stockmann struggles to free himself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work.

An Enemy of the People:Power Essay
From the earliest homosapiens, humans have discovered you cannot make your chicken lay more eggs or your crops grow faster. However, early humans discovered you can force another person to give you their eggs and their crops. Hence, the discovery of power led to control. Fast forward to the 19th century, we now live in a more civilized society. Controlling people directly is overrated. In this time period, towns now include thousands of people. Individuals morning routines have become second nature; everyone is so immersed in their own lives. The big problems of the city are much too difficult for an ordinary citizen to contemplate. Problems concerning the city are left to the mayor.
This kind of town makes people vulnerable to persuasion. In this scenario, the person who sees the truth usually stands alone. In the play An Enemy of the People this scenario is exactly the plot of the play. The setting takes place in a town where the Mayor governs the town. The town attracts people through its beautiful baths. However, the mayor’s brother,Dr. Stockmann, finds evidence of the baths being contaminated. Dr. Stockmann is concerned with the public’s health, so he attempts to inform them of his evidence. The power of the mayor suppresses Dr.Stockmann’s information. Eventually Dr.Stockmann reveals his evidence to the public, but the majority does not accept the truth. The play reveals that when you are in the majority, you should stop and think carefully. Dr.Stockmann uses his scientific mind to abate the oppression his brother’s power has on him. In the play it states, “Here it is! It proves the presence of decomposing organic matter in the water- it is full if infusoria. The water is absolutely dangerous to use, either internally or externally ‘“(Ibsen 13). Although Dr.Stockmann does not have as much power as the mayor, he uses his scientific evidence of the baths to give knowledge to the public. However, the mayor declares Dr. Stockmann cannot print his evidence. As a result, Dr.Stockmann is forced to reveal his evidence at Horster’s house. Yet, the mayor shows up and restricts Dr. Stockmann from reading his reports or discussing the baths.
In an attempt to gain the gain the public’s opinion, Dr.Stockmann uses communication and honesty. In the play it states, “What does the destruction of a community matter, if it lives on lies! It ought to be razed to the ground, I tell you!”(Ibsen 64). Dr.Stockmann’s informative speech on how the town will suffer economic disparity from the evidence he has gathered was truthful and concerning the individual. Nonetheless, the public refused to accept the information, and they were not willing to embrace the truth. As a result, Dr. Stockmann revealed his anger for people who
Show More

Related Documents: An Enemy Of The People Analysis

Liberalism: Great Depression and American People Essay

Americans. In result over thirteen million people were unemployed, including farmers, who were unable to sell their goods fairly and were forced into bankruptcy. Another issue was the failing US banking system that practically ceased to function resulting in more than 11,000 banks to close. America appeared to be falling into an economic abyss with no avail. FDR’s solution to these troubling times was to initiate “The New Deal” as a catalyst for the American people to alleviate the worst effects of the…

Words 1481 - Pages 6

Classical Social Liberalism Vs Classical Conservatism

Liberalism is a political viewpoint or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality. ‘Classical liberalism’ emphasises the role of liberty, ‘social liberalism’ stresses the importance of equality. ‘Economic liberalism’ believes in organizing the economy in individual appearances; meaning economic decisions are predominantly made by individuals in households rather than corporations or institutions. Another form of liberalism ‘neoliberalism’ refers to a wide variety of economic liberalization…

Words 786 - Pages 4

Social Liberalism Thesis

Ledford Liberalism is one of a group of political ideologies that views individual liberty, as a means to personal autonomy, as the primary goal of society. The fundamental concepts of liberalism include a belief in unchangeable, basic human rights and in particular, the rights of life, liberty and property. While these core beliefs are central to all forms of liberalism, there are conflicts between various strands of liberalism. Differences between classic liberalism and social liberalism are some…

Words 1547 - Pages 7

Essay on Resistance to Liberalism

HEAD: RESISTANCE TO LIBERALISM The Justification of Resisting Liberalism Liberalism, in general, was an ideological movement that emerged out of the ideas of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century. It embraced the ideas of individualism which were established in the Renaissance and Reformation era. The Renaissance period sparked a belief in the importance of the individual in society. It helped promote the beliefs of classical liberalism which gradually…

Words 1164 - Pages 5

Reaction: Sociology and Conservatism Essay

ideologies of the Western societies. These major ideologies are conservatism, liberalism, and socialism. Conservatism is based on time and traditional values. Conservatism believes that there are two important assumptions about individualism. One of them is that individuals aren’t always rational, meaning; the people are emotional and aren’t able to reason quite understandably. Another assumption is that the people inherit to social being which means they have different distinctions such as levels…

Words 554 - Pages 3

Classical Liberalism Analysis

contributed greatly to the transition from classical liberalism to modern liberalism. Each factor changed the face of how liberalism was seen or practiced throughout history. Some, however, made a greater impact than others. The three most important characteristics of the transition were equal opportunities, labor standards, and voting rights. The first selection I choose that was most important to the transition from classical to modern liberalism was equal opportunities. Equal opportunities are…

Words 606 - Pages 3

Difference Between Socialism And Liberalism

is the difference between liberalism and socialism government? Sometimes people mistakes one for the other. In order to differentiate between these two terms, we have to clear define the ideology of each term. Liberalism is divided into classical and modern liberalism. Classical liberalism states that the government should take control of an institution in order to ensure that it continues to be of service to the people, free of charge. Classical liberalism does not see any need for…

Words 448 - Pages 2

Modern Liberalism Essay

Modern Liberalism By: Harinder Sandhu War Measures Act. • The war measures act was a federal statue adopted by the Canadian government, after the World War One. This gave power to the Canadian government to make their own decisions during any emergency. This act was only used during wars or emergency it was a sign that Canada has declared war, it allowed the government to bypass parliament in order to do what's necessary for the war. War Measures Act. Cont. • The war measures act was founded…

Words 824 - Pages 4

Dictatorship: Nazi Germany and Liberalism Essay

Writing Assignment I: Twentieth-Century Rejections of Liberalism Social 30-1 Source I portrays Adolf Hitler’s policies and summarizes its dogmas in three simple phrases through a propaganda poster. Hitler being the founder of the Nazi Party is to this day considered one of the most influential voices in the implementation and execution of fascist principles. Principles involving extreme right wing policies that demand absolute control of lives of the average citizens. The…

Words 1697 - Pages 7

Classical Liberalism: John Locke

Liberalism is a political philosophy premised on liberty and equality. John Locke championed the pursuit and protection of liberty and he is widely regarded as one of classical liberalisms most significant philosophers. John Lock is considered the father of Classical Liberalism as he was the first to clearly express the ideas of liberty and equality in which liberalism stands. According to Locke, all citizens possess natural rights, and the only legitimate exercise of government authority is to…

Words 489 - Pages 2