An Enemy of the People: Act II Summary & Analysis

In the morning, Katherine brings Dr. Stockmann a brusque note from Peter, proposing a meeting at midday. Dr. Stockmann believes that his brother is jealous that he hasn’t made this important discovery himself, since he’s “so confoundedly afraid of anyone’s doing service to the town except himself.” Katherine urges her husband to be cautious and diplomatic with his brother, suggesting that he find some way to share the credit.

Morten Kiil, Katherine’s father, arrives at the house. He’s heard rumors about contamination in the water supply. Not understanding the concept of bacteria, he assumes that Dr. Stockmann is playing a prank on his brother by suggesting that animals no one can see have infected the water. He clearly doesn’t believe the story, but he hopes the town will fall for it, as revenge for kicking him off the council. Laughing slyly, he leaves the house.

As he departs, Hovstad arrives. He takes Dr. Stockmann aside and says that, after considering the matter of the baths overnight, he’s realized its not an isolated incident; the “morass” of chemicals infecting the water is symbolic of the “morass” of incompetent authorities who control everything in the town. Somewhat taken aback, Dr. Stockmann points out that the town’s leaders are “men of ability and knowledge,” but Hovstad points out that they didn’t display much knowledge of the conduit pipes. He wants to write about the issue in the paper, in order to “break up this ring of self-opinionated old fossils” who control the town.

Dr. Stockmann agrees that the town needs more progress and transparency, but he’s not ready to attack the leaders publicly, especially not his brother. Hovstad cajoles him by arguing that, as a journalist, he has no personal ambitions; he is of “humble origin” and views it as his journalistic duty to give other common people a greater voice in public life.

As Dr. Stockmann vacillates, Mr. Aslaksen interrupts the conference. He’s heard about Dr. Stockmann’s discovery and promises that the Householders’ association and the small tradesmen, whom he represents, will back him up. Dr. Stockmann doesn’t believe all this support is necessary, but Mr. Aslaksen pompously reassures him that he’s a man of utmost “moderation,” who wields power among the “compact majority.”

Mr. Aslaksen announces his plan to write a testimonial on behalf of the majority that thanks Dr. Stockmann without offending town leaders. Hovstad protests at this deference to town leaders, but Mr. Aslaksen waves him away, saying it’s useless to alienate those “on whom our welfare defends.” Refusing a glass of beer because of his leadership position in the temperance society, he departs, again promising the support of the “compact majority.”

Hovstad remains behind, complaining that Mr. Aslaksen is too timid to take a real stand against the authorities; he announces his intention to “put a little virility into these well-intentioned people.” Dr. Stockmann says he must not publish anything before he talks to his brother; but he concedes that if the conference goes badly, Hovstad can publish the entire report.

As Hovstad leaves, Dr. Stockmann reports proudly to Katherine and Petra that he has received support from the town’s “compact majority.” Katherine sounds distinctly unimpressed, asking “if that is a  good thing for you,” but Dr. Stockmann is too excited to pay attention, imagining how much good he will be able to do for his native town.

Peter Stockmann rings the bell and Katherine greets him cordially, but he dismisses the women for a private conference and immediately reprimands his brother for undertaking investigations without authorization. Peter says he can’t believe the “violent language” Dr. Stockmann has used in the report. He also says, without explaining the reason, that he consulted the town engineer on the costs of the doctor’s proposed repairs and found them to be astronomical; even worse, the baths would have to close for two years, which would cause the town to lose money and status as a popular place for spa cures. If the report goes public, he says, it will ruin the town.

In place of making expensive repairs, Peter says, Dr. Stockmann should simply treat people who fall ill; over the course of years, the baths committee can make subtle repairs to shift the water source. Dr. Stockmann is outraged and says he will never agree to such “trickery.” He accuses Peter of discounting his findings because he doesn’t want to admit that he erred in choosing the water source. Peter responds that he has to protect his reputation “in the interests of the town,” so that he can govern effectively and maintain respect.

Dr. Stockmann reveals that he has shared the contents of the report with Hovstad and Billing, and he may not be able to keep it from the public. Peter accuses his brother of being “an extraordinarily independent man,” and threatens that there will be personal consequences—after all, he has always helped his brother find respectable occupations and provide for his family, but he won’t be able to do so if Dr. Stockmann writes incendiary articles about every idea that comes into his head. Dr. Stockmann says it’s the “duty of a citizen” to share his ideas with the public, but Peter counters that “the public is best served by the good, old-established ideas it already has.”

Peter continues that his brother is wrong to constantly complain about the authorities, when it’s he himself who is recalcitrant and hard to work with. After all, it’s Peter who is responsible for championing the baths project and securing his brother’s position on the committee. Even though it was Dr. Stockmann’s idea, he could never have accomplished it without Peter’s political acumen. Peter considers the new report to be a new effort by Dr. Stockmann to “pick a quarrel with your superiors.”

Peter demands that Dr. Stockmann publicly refute his findings and say that he was wrong to question the water quality. Dr. Stockmann pleads with his brother to understand that any course of action except major repairs to the baths is dangerous and inadequate, but Peter simply responds that “as an officer under the Committee, you have no right to any individual opinion.” Dr. Stockmann becomes completely outraged, insisting that, as an individual, he can take whatever course of action he feels is best.

Petra and Katherine, who have been eavesdropping, burst in as Dr. Stockmann again refuses to retract his findings. Peter says that he will be dismissed as punishment. When Petra tells her uncle that he’s behaving in a “shameful” manner, he sneers at her for volunteering her own opinions. Turning to Katherine, he enjoins her to talk her husband out of his foolishness, if only so that he can continue to provide for his family.

Dr. Stockmann retorts that he’s acting in the interests of his family and his beloved town, but Peter replies that someone who jeopardizes the people’s economic interests must actually be “an enemy of the community.” The two men almost come to blows, but the women separate them and Peter stalks out.

Katherine placates her husband by agreeing that Peter has behaved badly, but she reminds him that the mayor “has power on his side” and can indeed harm the family. Dr. Stockmann dismisses her as “absurd,” saying that he has the support of the compact majority and that, “in a free country,” the right ideas always win. Petra takes her father’s side, arguing that they have to do the right thing and not think of themselves, but Katherine reminds Dr. Stockmann that she and the boys are completely unable to provide for themselves.

At this point the boys arrive home from school and peek in at their parents arguing. Dr. Stockmann surveys them for a minute, but then shakes his head and says that, no matter what, “I will never bow my head to this yoke.” He says that he wants “the right to look my sons in the face when they are grown men.” Katherine starts crying, but Petra applauds her father’s courage.