Fear of public opinion is the driving force behind major decisions in society

"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.