Theme of Betrayal in An Enemy of the People

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.