strongest man in the world stands alone

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.