Write a Composition on how ironic some situations appear in the play.

Ironic Instances in An Enemy of the People by Henrik. Ibsen

 Introduction

Most of the story is dealing with irony

Accept general or contextualized introduction

• Dr. Thomas Stockmann turns against his brother the Mayor after getting employed by him.

The effect of this is that the Doctor comes out as a principled person.

• The Mayor turns against his brother and sacks him. This shows his selfish nature. He will stop at nothing even if it means sacking his brother

• Hovstad and Aslaksen run away from Dr. Stockmann after promising to print his article. Hovstad had earlier promised to stand by him. They come back to him asking if they could put the people’s messenger at his disposal after they had already betrayed him. The society Dr. Thomas is helping through research turns against him. They brand him an enemy. The society is gullible, hypocritical, unappreciative
• It is ironic that Peter stockman who is a liar, corrupt and a propagandist manages to buy the support of the public. This portrays the society as ignorant and gullible
• The press that is supposed to tell the truth supports lies. They want their business to thrive (selfish reason) and they fear the authorities.
• Accept instances of dramatic irony, for example when the mayor is hidden in the printing room by Aslaksen and Hovstad when the doctor comes Dr. Stockmann does not know this yet the readers are aware. It is only when he sees the mayor’s hat and walking stick that the doctor realizes that the mayor is in the building.
• Any other valid instance eg. Morten Kiil buys shares from the bath after learning they are contaminated. He also disinherits Katherine and the children
• Instances should be tied to effect

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Using Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the people for your illustrations, write an essay explaining     why Peter Stockmann was able to tilt the public’s opinion against Dr. Thomas Stockmann’s     discovery.
Introduction
At first, Dt. Stockmann’s discovery about the contamination of the town’s water supply had a lot of support. However, with time, the support dwindled up to a point that he is declared a public enemy.
i)     The support he had banked on from the press failed to be forthcoming. It happened that  the press had their own shortcomings which the Mayor prudently exploited. Their failure to print Dr. Stockmann’s manuscript even at his own expense deprives him the opportunity (forum) to shape the public’s opinion in his favour. On the contrary, they printed the Mayor’s version on the issue.
ii)     Dr. Stockmann’s discovery had a lot of goodwill at first. Members of the press, Aslaksen, Mortein Kiil all supported it. However with time, personal/individual interests and or weaknesses overrode the support. For example Hovstad, Billing are not quite morally principled. Once they realize the stakes they switch camps. Others e.g. Aslaksen, Mortein Kiil supported it for varied reasons but not as a matter of principles.
iii)     There exists inherent fear of the authority best exemplified by Aslaksen who seemed too cautious in criticizing local authorities. He advocates moderation. Peter, as the Mayor of the town used this fear to his advantage. Dr. Stockmann’s discovery is portrayed as an ‘agitation’ against the authorities and the Mayor’s ‘official version’ printed in newspapers is readily believed by the public.
iv)     Dr. Stockmann’s weaknesses: he makes several blunders. He underrates his brother’s resolve and the manuscript to the press and lets known the fact. This enables Peter to manouvre and tact for instance he had prematurely given block him. He is too indiscreet with such an important matter and seems to take it as a personal issue.
v)     Peter on the other hand is tactful and a good schemer. He is able to manipulate facts by portraying the modifications called for by the doctor as uncalled for, expensive and a burden to taxpayers. He exploits his position to endear himself as the ‘protector’ of the public. Even getting a venue to air his speech proved tricky to Dr. Stockmann as all avenues are blocked. Pgs 57 – 59.

in conclusion, It is evident that the Mayor was able to manipulate events to his favour and paint Dr. Stockmann as an enemy of the people.

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“Poor leadership is the main cause of many problems in the society.”
Introduction: mention problems caused by poor leadership.  It can be general or specific (should be first paragraphed)

Body
a.    Nepotism is caused by poor leadership.  Peter Stockman appoints his brother Dr. Stockmann as the medical officers of the baths p. 37 – 38

b.    Leaders intimidate and manipulate the people to stop fighting for the truth e.g. the mayor intimidates subordinate member of staff p. 39, others on p. 55 – 59

c.    There is inefficiency and negligence in leadership.  Dr. Stockmann says he had advised against the pipes being laid where they were but nobody listened to him p. 19-others p. 35.

d.    Greed is also portrayed in leaders. The mayor would rather have the tourists die from disease than incur expenses to relay the conduit pipes.   P. 18, 34, 52, 103 -104.

e.    Leaders are corrupt 102 – 103, 35.

f.    The leaders are arrogant. P. 80 P2
Dr. Stockmann refers to other people as ill-bred-strain of animals.
P. 19 – mayor does not know the name of his maid.

g.    Poor leadership leads to the problem of underdevelopment and wastage to taxpayers’ money. Pipes have to be relaid- P-19, P57-58. visitors are getting diseases P. 17 – 18
h.    Poor leadership breeds violence e.g. the one meted on Dr. Stockmann by the crowd. P 87

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“The press has failed in its responsibility.” Drawing your illustrations from An Enemy of the People write an essay in support of this statement
a)    The press is indecisive/ easy to manipulate- Hovstad, Aslaksen and Billing promise to support the doctor fully to inform the public about the rot in the baths. However, they refuse to do so later.
b)    Treacherous- They betray the doctor. They change their view towards him and fail to tell him so until late. They support his rival.
c)    Selfish- According to Hovstad, the initial intention of putting Dr stockmann’s articles on the peoples messenger is to sell more newspapers- not the ideas but out who.
They refuse to support the doctor because they will suffer financially if the baths are shut.
d)    Opportunistic- Hovstad and Aslaksen rush over to Dr. Stockmann  to cash in on what they believe to have been a plot to make money by the doctor and Morten Kiil.
e)    Dishonest- Hovstad admits to Petra that the article he wants translated may be untrue but since it  says what people want to read, it will make the newspaper sell.

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Drawing illustrations from Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of  The People, write an essay in support of the following statement: “ The Love for money and power can make one inhuman”.
-    A general statement on the effect of the love for money and power.
-    A definition of love for money and power. It must be tied to the question
-    Accept any other relevant introduction be it general or contextual.
Content
The candidate should use different characters whose lover for money or power makes them act inhumanly.
    (i)    The Mayor: Peter Stockmann
-     His love for power makes him manipulate the pressmen who end up rejecting the Dr. Stockmails report. They instead publish his.
    -    He doctor Stockmann’s his brother.
-    He claims that the residents will pay for the relaying of the pipes a process which will take two years.
    (ii)    The Pressmen(Hovstad , Billing and Aslaken)
-    They withdraw their support for Dr. Stockmann because they feared for their newspaper as well as the payments for they would have to make as citizens for the relaying of the pipes .
-    They later visit the  doctor to strike a deal with him.
(iii)    Morten kill
-    His tannery being the major pollutant he urges the doctor to manipulate the report.
-    He buys the shares from the baths cheaply hoping to sell them later expensively when the doctor his son – in – law ‘ owns up’ that he was wrong.
(iv)    The town council
-    They are money – minded. When Dr. Stockmann discovers that the baths are contaminated and comes up with a plan of relaying the pipes, they sack him.
-    They would rather risk the health of the town’s people than tell the truth about the baths.
Accept any other relevant well illustrated point.

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Highlight the character of the pressmen and show how it has impacted on Dr. Stockmann’s mission.

Introduction:
In an enemy of the people, the men of the press include Hovstad, Billing and Aslaksen who run .  the people’s Messenger.  Dr. Stockman is a medical officer who discovers that the town’s water supply is contaminated hence is on a mission to correct the situation.  However, the pressman prove to be a stumbling block to the doctor due to their negative character.
i)    Hypocritical/Liars;
In the beginning, all three congratulate the doctor on his discovery.  They even toast to his health Pg. 20.  They pledge their support pg 48 and Aslaksen and Billing call Dr. Stokmann a friend of the people.  Aslaksen assures him of the support of the Householders’ association.
They press refuse to publish Dr. Stockmann’s article and instead publishes the mayor’s. The effect is that the doctor loses his arsenal, the people’s Messenger, and the compact majority.  He is denied a venue for the meeting and is branded an enemy of the people.
ii)    Opportunistic/selfish
Hovstad uses Petra to translate the English story for his own selfish interests.  Billing thinks of approaching Dr.  Stockman to finance the paper because he’s bound to come by money from Morten Kiil Pg. 50. Aslaksen and Hovstad return to convince the Dr. to take over The people’s Messenger because they think he now has money from the Bath’s shares.  Give that Hovstad correctly observes that the press is supposed to liberate the masses; this selfish/opportunistic nature hinders the doctor’s mission.  They do not believe in his mission and are ready to jump ship as long as it suits them.

iii)    Cowards/fearful
Aslaksen hides under his principle of moderation when in actual fact he fears the authorities. Hovstad lies to the Mayor that he knows nothing about the bath report and behaves in a fearful manner when he sees the Mayor pg. 55. Dr.Stockmann says Hovstad has never had the courage to admit in public that he is a free thinker.  This trait in the pressman inhibits the doctor’s mission.  They know the truth but chose to kill it due to their fear of the Mayor.  Hovstad refuses to back the doctor yet he’s a freethinker lie Dr. Stockman. The result is that the baths are not fixed due to cowardice.

iv)    Ruthless/callous/unreliable
These three are frequent visitors to the doctor’s house.  When the play opens, Billing is seen having roast beef.  Pg. 1 Hovstad too pg.5 Aslaksen comes to pledge his support for the doctor having heard from billing that the Dr. would bring about a new water supply.  Their true nature however is soon revealed.  The three quickly side with the Mayor without verifying the fact of the time to e take and the costs involved.  Consequently the doctor is barred from addressing the issue of the baths at the meeting.  It is Aslaksen who proposes that the meeting declare Dr. Decree Stockmann an enemy of the people.  Billing’s lies about the doctor pg. 85. Further turn the people away from Dr. Stockmann.  This culminates in the doctor being roughed up and his house. Stoned.

Conclusion
The press has the important function of disseminating information to the public. The press should never be partisan or take sides.  They therefore have a duty/obligation to inform the public about the baths but they fail due to their negative character of hypocrisy, opportunism, cowardice and cruelty. The doctor is denied an opportunity to correct a health issue due to a negative press.

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Lust and greed for power may lead to environmental degradation,” Discuss with illustrations from Henrik Ibsen's 'An Enemy of the People'
In an attempt to enrich oneself or remain in power or in business, man has done several activities that are
destructive to the environment for example in the play, an Enemy of the People several activities although gainful destroy the water system of the town.  
                 
Officials in the town would like to remain in power. Dr. Stockmann has scientific proof that the water system of the town is polluted and the situation should be corrected but Peter Stockmann sees this as a threat to his leadership and will have nothing to do with that.
-    Collection of revenue. Officials collect revenue from the baths for individual gains and are reluctant to take suggestions meant to rectify the degradation.
-    Gains from tourism. Should the baths be closed down even for repairs, the tourists would stop coming and this would affect the income they generate. The town’s officials are unsupportive to suggestions on closure of the Baths,
-    Investors: investors like Morten Kiil whose firms are polluting the water do not want them rectified or admit liability as they stand to lose profit/
-    Cost of repair: correcting the degradation involves relaying the conduit pipes and would cost a lot of money. For that reason, the mayor and his gangs are unwilling to have the situation remedied.
Businessmen won’t risk losing business. Although initially Hovstad wanted change when he discovers what may happen if the Baths condition is to be remedied he changes otherwise his paper may lose popularity and then he would be out of business

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Dr. Stockmann is a symbol of morality in the play, ‘An Enemy of the People’ With illustrations from the text write an essay on the truth of this statement

• Dr. Stockmann refuses to be blackmailed by Mr. Mortein Kill to say he was wrong so as to inherit his wife’s and children’s shares.
• When Peter tries to persuade him to write a letter of apology so as to consider his situation, he tells his brother, “A free man has no right to mess up with filth.
• When Aslaksen and Hovstad come offering the services of the people’s messenger after they had let him down, he throws them out using an umbrella.
• When everything has gone wrong for him, his landlord has evicted him, Petra has been dismissed from school and the boys have been told to stay at home he decided to educate his own children together with other street children, helped by Petra.
• Determined to stand up and tell the truth about the rot in the community, he continues giving his speech amidst protests and he is not deterred.

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Betrayal is a common vice in our society. Support this statement, drawing your illustrations from “An Enemy of the people” by Henrik Ibsen
Betrayal can be termed as a breach of the trust placed on a person or a group of people by others. An illustration is where by one’s best friend lets out a secret which the friend never expected to be done/politicians abdicating their responsibility to serve their electorate

• In the play, the town authorities have neglected their duty of ensuring the good health of the citizens. They do this being inconsiderate to the state of the baths.
• The tourists and invalids who visit this town spend huge sums of money on recreation and recuperation. They trust that the water is clean, yet the same water is contaminated with bacteria that cause diseases. This is betrayal of the trust the consumer places on suppliers.
• Peter Stockmann feels bitter that his brother has made the report known to the public. He argues that he is the one who organized for Thomas to be employed as the medical offices of health. For that matter he feels utterly betrayed by his brother arguing that Thomas is ungrateful.
• The masses are manipulated by the mayor into viewing Stockmann as insensitive to their welfare. They get convinced that it is them who shall foot the cost of rebuilding the baths (forty or fifty thousand pounds). It is for this reason that they are led to believe the doctor has betrayed their welfare, crowning him an Enemy of the people. Morten kill gets utterly enraged at the doctor report that the biggest source of pollution comes from his as his son – in – law should not have come up with such a report. He views it as a great form of betrayal.
• Morten kill gets utterly enraged at the doctors report that the biggest source of pollution comes from his tanneries at molledal.  He feels that Thomas as his son-in-law should not have come up with such a report.  He views it as a great form of betrayal.
• Morten kill in revenge purchases shares from the contaminated Baths with the estate he was to bequeath to Katherine and Thomas’ son’s it stems from selfishness.
• The masses insult Dr. Stockmann, tear his best trousers and want him expelled from the town yet he was all along fighting for their welfare. This is betrayal.
• Hovstad, Billing and Aslaksen assure Dr. Stockmann of their support in printing his report in the “People’s Messager”. They even praise his finding and Hovstad says it is a true reflection of the happenings in the town. However they later twin against him terming his report ‘a mere rumour and an exaggeration’ they refuse to print it thus betraying him.

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Drawing your illustrations from Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the people write an essay on how satire has been used.
i) Introduction                                                                                             (2mks)
   -Expect a definition of satire or an example of satire
   -Expect also a general statement of what to expect in the essay
    ii) Body                                                                                                          (12mks)

• The role of the media is satirized. Its role in community matters has been ridiculed. The Mayor through the media counter attacks the Doctor’s discovery that the Baths are a health hazard to the whole society. In his letter to the peoples’ messenger, he claims to have put the essential facts before the public in such a way that every fair-minded citizen can easily form his own opinion.
• It is ironical that Houstad makes comments that portray the people’s messenger positively yet it is clear that the paper is wrong. The writer uses this to satirize the media. The paper fails to portray the clear picture of the unscrupulous and the poor state of affairs the society is in.
• Hovstad, the editor of the people’s messenger is also satirized. He rejects a positive comment from the Doctor that he claims to be a free thinker. Hovstad in fear of the crowd is astonished. Yet as a writer and an editor he ought to be a free thinker not influenced by the common majority.
• To satirize the common or compact majority and their leaders the imagery of common mongrel and common barnyard hen he is used. The leaders are compared to well bred Spanish or Japanese hen, good pleasant or turkey or poodle whose brain is developed to a different degree from that of the mongrel.

• The common people including the Mayor are satirized – their intensive nature and twist of truth to suit themselves is summarized in the following imagery and comments:

  
  

  “The kind of common people….. not only to be found low down in the social side, they crawl and swarm all around us – even in the highest social positions. You have only to look at your own fine pretty Mayor! My brother Peter is every bit as plebeian as anyone that walks on two legs.

• The political situation in the country is also satirized. Dr. Stockmann says that from one end of the country to the other every man is slave of his party. That every man had no freedom to free thinking and has to go by his party’s whims.
• The crowd that attacked the Doctors house is satirized. They threatened to break every bone in his body. They do not do anything apart from following each other. They suffer from the fear of doing what is right for fear of the opinion the public will have.

iii) Conclusion
-Expect a recap or general statement/remark on the use of satire in the novel.

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Write a composition to show how relevant the title An Enemy of the People is to the play.
Introduction – relevance of the title – it is relevant – ref to Dr. Stockman at end of the play for –
His stand of condemning the towns baths when they are a source of the town’s livelihood
However point out that it is ironical.
point out who are the true enemies of the people.

a)     The Mayor who has no people’s welfare at heart and wants to conceal the truth of the matter for selfish reasons.
b)     Journalists – pressmen – refuse to publish the doctor’s manuscript to enlighten the masses and visitors on the dangers of the baths.
c)     Masses are their own enemies when they support the leaders blindly and for their ignorance.
d)     Father-in-law (mortein kill) buys shares, in the contaminated bath to sell at a higher price.

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Write an essay to support the statement: “The strongest man is he who stands alone.” Base your illustrations on Henrik Ibsen’s ‘An Enemy of the People.’
In the face of all opposition and betrayal by his trusted nemeses, Jesus Christ stood steadfast in his defence of God and Christianity that eventually led to his crucifixion. Similarly, in ‘an Enemy of the People,’ Dr. Stockman is declared “an enemy of the people” because of speaking the truth. His determination to emancipate the masses from oppression does not augur well with many characters in the play.
(i)    The Health resort
-    Dr. Stockman becomes the first person to see that the town could be made into a flourishing health resort.
-    However, this idea was met by stiff opposition from the town’s authorities who termed it ‘fancy and a crazy man’s imagination’ (p.16)
-    He had to fight single-handedly in support of the idea for many years through writing until he succeeds.
(ii)    The Discovery
-    Dr, stockman makes a great discovery about the Baths which are currently the main artery of the town’s life blood.
-    The Baths have become poisoned, causing diseases like typhoid, gastric fever. (p. 17 – 18)
-    The report indicates that the bacteria have got into the pipes, contaminating the water.
-    His discovery faces stiff opposition from the mayor who claims the doctor has made it behind his back.
-    The mayor demands that he withdraws his report – publicly denounces it.
-    Nonetheless, the doctor would not bow down to any forum of intimidation from the mayor i.e. the mayor threatens to sack him.
(iii)    The Press
-    The article was supposed to be published in the People’s messenger and the press had agreed to do so.
-     However, after being compromised by the mayor, the newspapers editors and the printer i.e. Hovstad, Billing +Aslaksen, withdraw their support for Dr. Stockmann
-    Once again, the doctor stands alone. He vows to press on + reveal the truth. He says, ‘Do you imagine that you can silence me and stifle the truth! You will not find it as easy as you suppose,’
(iv)    Public Meeting
-    At the meeting in captain Horster’s house, Dr. Stockmann is determined to reveal the contents of the report to the masses.
-    Yet again, his efforts are thwarted for the programme is hijacked by the press and the mayor who wants to control what Dr. Stockman says.
-    In his resolute + firm nature, the doctor out-maneuvers them and tells the people his mind: the contaminated Baths, the corrupt nature of the town’s authorities and the gullibility of the “compact majority”
-    He sacrifices all his energy for the sake of his society only for him to be declared ‘an enemy of the people’ through a popular vote but he remains unmoved in his quest for the truth.
(v)    Morten Kiil
-    Even his father-in-law applies pressure on him to change his mind and withdraw his report.
-    If this discovery spills out to the masses, his ginnery at Molledal risks being shut down for it is a source of the contamination of the Baths.
-    Consequently, he blackmails the doctor using Katherine + the children’s inheritance in order to coerce him tow his line.
-    On the contrary, he gets a rude shock when Dr. Stockmann’s resilience makes him not to buy his idea.
(vi)    The Aftermath
-    As a result of Dr. Stockmann’s determination +resilience, negative repercussions follow:
a)    He is sacked as the medical officer of the baths.
b)    His landlord kicks him out of the house
c)    His house is vandalized
d)    His family and friends suffer humiliation i.e. Petra, the boys and Captain Hoister.
-    Amidst all these upheavals, he remains optimistic and swears not to leave town, but stay on to continue fighting for the truth.
(N.B accept other relevant, well illustrated points)
Conclusion    
From the above discussion, it is true that the strongest man in the world is one who stands alone. Amidst all opposition, Dr. Stockmann does not give up, he remains optimistic hat the truth will eventually prevail.

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Cowardice is one of the factors that contribute to injustices in many societies even today. Write a composition giving clear evidence of this based on the play.

2.  C (i) The Mayor is a coward
    -he fears losing the next election
    -he fears facing the people to admit having messed up the construction of  the Baths, especially the laying of the conduit pipes
            The resultant injustice
           -the citizens’ lives and those of the visitors are exposed to dangerous  diseases e.g. typhoid and gastric fevers because he insists on lying that the Baths are clean
         C (ii) The aristocrats (owners of the baths) are cowards
-    They fear losing money through funding the relaying of the conduit pipes. Injustice
-    They attempt to pass the cost onto the middle and low class rate payers who have no stake in the project.
          C (iii) The press are cowards.
-    They fear losing their jobs if the people’s messenger fails to get funding from Aslaksen for printing.
-    They also fear the Mayor’s wrath
        Injustice
    -They fail in their duty of upholding and publishing the truth for the sake of the people and allow contamination, disease and death to continue to be a threat
C (iv) The school administration are cowards.
-    They fear the public after Dr. Stockmann has been declared public enemy.
Injustice
-    Mrs. Busk apologetically dismisses Petra knowing well that she herself has no justified complain against Petra’s performance as a teacher.
-    Mr. Rorlund suspends Ejlif and Morten indefinitely out of fear of being seen to identify with Dr. Stockmann’s family.
C (v) The business community are cowards
-    Mr. Vic fears the people and the political class and dismisses captain Horster unfairly.
-    The landlord gives Dr. Stockmann quit notice for fear of housing a tenant who is “An enemy of the people”
-    The glazier fears to come and replace broken window panes
    Injustice
-    The dismissal  makes Captain Horster jobless for no apparent reason
-    Dr.Stockmann’s is threatened with the possibility of being homeless yet he is fighting for the welfare of the people
-    Dr. Stockmann’s family is exposed to the cold because the glazier fears the public
C (vi) The masses are cowards
-    They are not resolute as to how much punishment Dr. Stockmann deserves
-    It is said they use pebbles and only two large pieces of hard core
Injustice
-    They attack an innocent man with his family because of the wishes of the political class (the mayor, Aslaksen and the press)

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Highlight the character of the pressmen and show how it has impacted on Dr. Stockmann’s mission.

Introduction:
In an enemy of the people, the men of the press include Hovstad, Billing and Aslaksen who run .  the people’s Messenger.  Dr. Stockman is a medical officer who discovers that the town’s water supply is contaminated hence is on a mission to correct the situation.  However, the pressman prove to be a stumbling block to the doctor due to their negative character.

i)    Hypocritical/Liars;
In the beginning, all three congratulate the doctor on his discovery.  They even toast to his health Pg. 20.  They pledge their support pg 48 and Aslaksen and Billing call Dr. Stokmann a friend of the people.  Aslaksen assures him of the support of the Householders’ association.
They press refuse to publish Dr. Stockmann’s article and instead publishes the mayor’s. The effect is that the doctor loses his arsenal, the people’s Messenger, and the compact majority.  He is denied a venue for the meeting and is branded an enemy of the people
.
ii)    Opportunistic/selfish
Hovstad uses Petra to translate the English story for his own selfish interests.  Billing thinks of approaching Dr.  Stockman to finance the paper because he’s bound to come by money from Morten Kiil Pg. 50. Aslaksen and Hovstad return to convince the Dr. to take over The people’s Messenger because they think he now has money from the Bath’s shares.  Give that Hovstad correctly observes that the press is supposed to liberate the masses; this selfish/opportunistic nature hinders the doctor’s mission.  They do not believe in his mission and are ready to jump ship as long as it suits them.

iii)    Cowards/fearful
Aslaksen hides under his principle of moderation when in actual fact he fears the authorities. Hovstad lies to the Mayor that he knows nothing about the bath report and behaves in a fearful manner when he sees the Mayor pg. 55. Dr.Stockmann says Hovstad has never had the courage to admit in public that he is a free thinker.  This trait in the pressman inhibits the doctor’s mission.  They know the truth but chose to kill it due to their fear of the Mayor.  Hovstad refuses to back the doctor yet he’s a freethinker lie Dr. Stockman. The result is that the baths are not fixed due to cowardice.

iv)    Ruthless/callous/unreliable
These three are frequent visitors to the doctor’s house.  When the play opens, Billing is seen having roast beef.  Pg. 1 Hovstad too pg.5 Aslaksen comes to pledge his support for the doctor having heard from billing that the Dr. would bring about a new water supply.  Their true nature however is soon revealed.  The three quickly side with the Mayor without verifying the fact of the time to e take and the costs involved.  Consequently the doctor is barred from addressing the issue of the baths at the meeting.  It is Aslaksen who proposes that the meeting declare Dr. Decree Stockmann an enemy of the people.  Billing’s lies about the doctor pg. 85. Further turn the people away from Dr. Stockmann.  This culminates in the doctor being roughed up and his house. Stoned.

Conclusion
The press has the important function of disseminating information to the public. The press should never be partisan or take sides.  They therefore have a duty/obligation to inform the public about the baths but they fail due to their negative character of hypocrisy, opportunism, cowardice and cruelty. The doctor is denied an opportunity to correct a health issue due to a negative press.

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  Drawing your illustrations from Henrik Ibsen’s ‘An Enemy of the people’ write a  composition outlining how Dr. Stockmann’s good intentions to purify his society are frustrated.
              Introduction
Dr. Stockmann is the protagonist in the play whose sole purpose is to cleanse a society which is riddled with so many evils among them corruption, betrayal, hypocrisy etc. He single handedly tries to fight this though he faces a lot of opposition.
-    Peter Stockmann does not want to hear anything about the discovery. Though the doctor had carefully conducted his research, he asks him to falsity his report failure to which he would be sacked pg 34-41.
-    The press had volunteered to help in sensitizing the citizens about the issue of the baths. However after a visit from Peter Stockmann and after he convinces them that they had to pay for the repairs of the baths, they turn their back on him and will not even print his findings for a fee pg 65.
-    Dr. Stockmann is denied access to the public halls to make his report known to the public. He holds a meeting in captain Horster’s house. The town officials gate crash into his meeting and go ahead to more a motion to ensure that he does not discuss the baths pg 72-73.
-    To push him out of the town, the compact majority is manipulated into declaring him an enemy of
      the people. They went on to destroy his property with a hope that he’ll leave town.
-    Morten kill uses the money meant for Katherines’ inheritance to buy shares from the baths. This is done with an intention of intimidating the doctor to change his mind. Failure to do so, the proceeds from his sales to be given to charity.

in conclusion, though his efforts are trampled on, Dr. Stockmann does not give up. He swears to fight on to the bitter end.

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Using Henrik Ibsen's 'An Enemy of the People", Write an essay showing how leaders conspire to hide the truth from the people.
Introduction: Comment on the conspiracy by leaders to deny people the truth abort the reports of the Baths.
Say why they fear.
A sign of dishonesty
Point of interpretation

• The Mayor is the lead person in the conspiracy. Threatens the press men/influence them to refuse publish the document.

• The pressmen (Hovstad) had readily agreed to publish the article but on mayor’s demand they changed their attitude and turned against the Doctor.

• Aslaksen talks like one who is ready to insist of moderation in fear of reprisals from the government or mayor. He also fears to spend a lot of money in correcting the mess in the Baths.

• Leaders deny the doctor access to any Hall in the town. When he gets a hall at Capt Horster’s place. People are told not to allow him to talk about the Baths.

• He is harassed. His children leave school. His daughter is sacked and his horse stoned.

• The Doctor is incriminated by the leaders and they incite the people against him and declares him ‘An enemy of the People’ despite his efforts to enlighten the public.

Make use of outdated beliefs that majority are always right.

Conclusion – The leaders are driven by dishonesty and fear to offend the masses.

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“Scandals on corruption are common in most societies” Basing your illustrations on Henrik Ibsen’s play, “ An Enemy of the People,” write an essay showing how it is difficult to fight corruption.

corruption means dishonest or illegal behaviour by officials or people in a position of power.

• How difficult it is to fight corruption. Most societies find it difficult to fight corruption because corrupt officials always tend to fight back. In an Enemy of The People, Dr. Stockmann who tries to fight corruption is warned by Peter Stockmann, the mayor, that he will be ruthless with him. That the doctor should deny his rumours about his publicity findings.

    - That the doctor should agree to make an expression of his confidence in the committees’ leadership which will put him to a disadvantage.
    - That he should carry out a fictitious investigation and conclude that the matter is not as dangerous as he (Dr. Stockmann) had imagined in his first report.
    - He is told that as a member of the Baths committee he does not own an opinion of his own since he is a subordinate employee.

• Corruption is not easy to fight since it mostly involves officials or people in position or power whose views admit the existence of corruption. For example:

    - Peter Stockmann denies that the water baths are contaminated. He tells Dr. Stockmann that the contamination is the doctor’s own imagination and not true as charged.
    That the doctor is merely displaying his usual recklessness and seeking an outlet to his combativeness by picking a quarrel with his superiors (the town leaders)

• Fighting corruption is not easy since the citizens are sometimes gullible for they can decide to fall easily into the trap of praising and defend the corrupt leaders /officials.

-|Vote against the incorruptible members of the society i.e. they vote against Dr. Stockmann and participate in declaring him an enemy of the people.
- They become wild and stone Dr. Stockmann’s house.

• The press is sometimes manipulated by the officials in power to perpetrate corruption and ends up becoming an accomplice in corruption e.g.

    - Billing, Aslaksen and Hovstad aid the mayor in defeating justice.
    - Are easily manipulated to go along with the Peter Stockmann’s version of the truth
        The process of fighting corruption faces a lot of challenges. It requires efforts from each individual in the society. One man cannot achieve anything as demonstrated of Dr. Stockmann in the play An Enemy of The People.

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"Fear of public opinion is the driving force behind major decisions in society”
Public opinion is the view embraced by the majority/a large number of people in society. In an enemy of the people many characters take certain decisions due to fear of what people will say. Such characters include Aslaksen, Hovstad, Mr.Vik, Mrs. Busk among others.

• Aslaksen, Billing and Hovstad (the people’s messenger) cannot print Dr. Stockmann’s article on the contamination of the Baths, for fear of public opinion   

    - Aslaksen says it is public opinion – the enlightened public – that controls the newspapers, and they don’t want to ruin their paper. (p.64)
    - Aslaksen adds ‘it would be flying in the face of public opinion’ pg 65. see also p.72.

• Due to fear of public opinion nobody can give Dr. Stockmann a room to hold his meeting

- Peter stockman says, ‘no public body in the town will allow you ‘to use their hall for such a purpose’ pg 65
        - Aslaksen says not a single one, Iam certain pg.65
        NB: It is only captain Horster who comes to his aid after missing a room from the other owners, but not without a backlash from his employer Mr.Vik

• Dr.Stockmann’s landlord gives him a notice to quit his premises. This happens after Dr. Stockmann is declared an enemy of the people

    - He has been such a nice man but he doesn’t do otherwise on account of his fellow Citizens
    - He can’t do it out of regard for public opinion and dares not offend certain influential men. (pg .89)

• Mrs. Busk gives Petra a notice of dismissal from her school due to fear of public opinion.

    - It hurts her to do it but she didn’t dare do otherwise
    - Mrs.Busk’s own views are tolerably emancipated---------------but now that this report about me is being spread, she dare not keep me any longer” (pg 91)

• Mr. Vik, the shipower, dismisses captain Horster because he offered Dr.Stockmann a house to hold his meeting.

    - Mr. Vik didn’t dare do otherwise because he is a party man; he feared what the people would say if he kept him on (pg 86, 94)

• The Baths committee, spearheaded by Peter Stockmann dismisses Dr.Stockmann for fear of Public opinion

    - Peter says, “It gives us pain to do it; but to speak frankly, we dared not do otherwise on account of public opinion. (pg 95)
    - The householders Association makes people sign to ensure that they stop consulting Dr.Stockmann. (p.96)

• Mr.Rorland suspends Mortein and Ejlif from school for fear of public opinion

    - He sends away the boys over Flimsy reasons, he says they had better stay away (home) for a few days…….. (pg 108)
    In conclusion, public opinion is clearly the driving force behind the major dismissals and other decisions in society.

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“The greatest threat to the publishing of Doctor Stockmann’s article is the destruction of the mayor’s     political ands social standing.” Drawing illustrations from “An Enemy of the People,” discuss this     statement.
  
The publishing of Dr. Stockmann’s article will destroy the mayor’s social and political standing, hence the mayor is totally opposed to it.
Areas to consider

• The article would give rise to more articles that would bring down the “old house”
• Every enlightened man will be behind the doctor after the article is read
• The middle class would turn their back  on him
• The mayor will fall out with the whole crowd
• The public will be enlightened on the mayors capability/incapability
• The move will lead to a revolution
• There would be a big fight in town
• The supporters will want to rest their town positions and control of municipal affairs on men with liberal ideas.
• The mayor is not willing to spend any money to make changes in the water system
• Accepting and publishing the report would mean the officials have failed
• Aslaksen is the chairman of householders association and the doctors plans would benefit householders and small businessmen.

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