Hovstad Character Analysis in An Enemy of the People

The editor of the town’s liberal newspaper, The People’s Messenger, and Dr. Stockmann’s onetime friend. From a humble background but now an educated professional, Hovstad cultivates a reputation as the town’s liberal voice and dreams of starting a “revolution.” At first he seems to have genuine ideological convictions, and his offer to publish Dr. Stockmann’s controversial findings seems courageous; however, it soon becomes apparent that he wants to use the report to help his own political party, rather than effect real social change. Moreover, he immediately turns on Dr. Stockmann when Peter shows him how unpopular his ideas are going to be with the public. Hovstad changes his beliefs, and the opinions of his newspaper, whenever public opinion changes; this trend not only demonstrates his personal hypocrisy but suggests that media can never be an impartial commentator on political events.

Hovstad Quotes in An Enemy of the People

The An Enemy of the People quotes below are all either spoken by Hovstad or refer to Hovstad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Peter Stockmann (lowering his voice a little): It is a curious thing that these farmers’ sons never seem to lose their want of tact.

Mrs. Stockmann: Surely it is not worth bothering about! Cannot you and Thomas share the credit as brothers?

Related Characters: Katherine Stockmann (speaker), Peter Stockmann (speaker), Dr. Thomas Stockmann, Hovstad

Page Number and Citation: 5

Explanation and Analysis:

In the play’s first scene, Katherine tries to mediate a chilly discussion between Peter Stockmann, the mayor, and Hovstad, editor of the People’s Messenger. Peter has taken umbrage at Hovstad’s claim that Dr. Stockmann is primarily responsible for the town’s recently-built baths, believing that he himself deserves more credit than he’s given. It’s important that he frames Hovstad’s remark not as a difference of opinion but as a “want of tact,” or lack of adherence to norms of civility—one of the many kinds of authority to which Peter insists others should submit. Peter is using deference to authority in order Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi neces

Hovstad: The idol of Authority must be shattered in this town. This gross and inexcusable blunder about the water-supply must be brought home to the mind of every municipal voter.

Related Characters: Hovstad (speaker), Dr. Thomas Stockmann

Page Number and Citation: 33

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Hovstad argues to Dr. Stockmann that his discovery of water contamination in the baths isn’t an isolated scientific incident, but rather is emblematic of larger political corruption in the town. It’s interesting that he first makes this connection between scientific and moral rot, since Dr. Stockmann will use it in his climactic speech to criticize the entire community (even Hovstad himself), suggesting that what Dr. Stockmann conceives of as his individual discoveries don’t always belong to him alone. Also ironic is the fact that Hovstad rails against “Authority” only when discussing the town’s elite leaders; Dr. Stockmann Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Com

Hovstad. You are perfectly right; but an editor cannot always act as he would prefer. He is often obliged to bow to the wishes of the public in unimportant matters. Politics are the most important thing in life—for a newspaper, anyway; and if I want to carry my public with me on the path that leads to liberty and progress, I must not frighten them away. If they find a moral tale of this sort in the serial at the bottom of the page, they will be all the more ready to read what is printed above it; they feel more secure, as it were.

Petra. For shame! You would never go and set a snare like that for your readers; you are not a spider!

Related Characters: Hovstad (speaker), Petra Stockmann (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 57

Explanation and Analysis:

Petra has just arrived at the People’s Messenger offices, bringing with her an English novel that Hovstad had asked her to read and translate. Petra politely refuses to carry out the commission, since the book advances ideas contrary to her own and those of the newspaper, namely that God will reward good people and punish bad ones. Petra views this as a moralizing idea which encourages people to submit to authority rather than fighting social injustice, but Hovstad argues that printing sentimental and comforting stories is the only way to “trick” people into reading and adopting the newspaper’s more liberal Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessi

Dr. Stockmann. You dare not? What nonsense!—you are the editor; and an editor controls his paper, I suppose!

Aslaksen. No, it is the subscribers, Doctor.

Peter Stockmann. Fortunately, yes.

Aslaksen. It is public opinion—the enlightened public—householders and people of that kind; they control the newspapers.

Related Characters: Peter Stockmann (speaker), Mr. Aslaksen (speaker), Dr. Thomas Stockmann (speaker), Hovstad

Page Number and Citation: 70

Explanation and Analysis:

In this passage, Dr. Stockmann realizes that Hovstad and Mr. Aslaksen have turned on him and now support Peter’s false interpretation of the report. The newspapermen are proud to affirm that “subscribers” and “public opinion” dictate the newspaper’s coverage and what causes it supports; they see this as evidence of the publication’s egalitarian nature. However, as Dr. Stockmann is beginning to understand the treacherous and mutable nature of public opinion and prioritize individual thought, this discovery is evidence of the newspaper’s fundamental unreliability. As evidenced by his supposition that the editor must control the newspaper completely, Dr. Stockmann has idealized Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occae

Hovstad: And, in the matter before us, it is now an undoubted fact that Dr. Stockmann has public opinion against him. Now, what is an editor’s first and most obvious duty, gentlemen? Is it not to work in harmony with his readers? Has he not received a sort of tacit mandate to work persistently and assiduously for the welfare of those whose opinions he represents? Or is it possible I am mistaken in that?

Related Characters: Hovstad (speaker), Dr. Thomas Stockmann

Page Number and Citation: 77

Explanation and Analysis:

In Act IV, Dr. Stockmann convenes a meeting to present his findings to the public and speak to them without interference from town authorities. However, Mr. Aslaksen, Peter, and Hovstad soon wrest control of the meeting from him and use it to argue for their own side. In this passage, Hovstad publicly defends the People’s Messenger’s shifting allegiances by saying that it always tries to reflect public opinion. Hovstad thinks that his argument is logical, and it certainly appeals to the self-interest of the crowd, but ultimately it exposes the newspaper’s lack of fundamental principles and the meaninglessness of its Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a.

Hovstad Character Timeline in An Enemy of the People

The timeline below shows where the character Hovstad appears in An Enemy of the People. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The doorbell rings. Both Katherine and Billing assume that the newspaper’s editor, Hovstad, has arrived, but instead Peter Stockmann—the town mayor and Dr. Stockmann’s brother—appears. Katherine welcomes him... (full context)

A knock is heard at the door, and Hovstad enters, greeting Peter “distantly” and saying he’s come to discuss an article Dr. Stockmann has... (full context)

Hovstad concurs, even adding that Dr. Stockmann’s article is in praise of the baths—something that evidently... (full context)

...peace, Katherine points out that Dr. Stockmann always gives his brother due credit. She ushers Hovstad into the dining room to eat something, and as he leaves Peter gripes that “these... (full context)

Just as Hovstad is bringing up the article, Petra Stockmann arrives home from her job as a schoolteacher,... (full context)

Hovstad and Katherine praise the doctor, who accepts their words complacently. He says that the situation... (full context)

...that he will be “glad that such an important truth has been brought to light.” Hovstad and Billing announce their intention to cover the discovery in the newspaper, and say that... (full context)

As he departs, Hovstad arrives. He takes Dr. Stockmann aside and says that, after considering the matter of the... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

Hovstad remains behind, complaining that Mr. Aslaksen is too timid to take a real stand against... (full context)

As Hovstad leaves, Dr. Stockmann reports proudly to Katherine and Petra that he has received support from... (full context)

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... (full context)

Hovstad is working at his desk in the shabby and disheveled People’s Messenger office when Billing... (full context)

Dr. Stockmann enters the office excitedly, instructing Hovstad and Billing to print his article at once and eagerly predicting “a fight in the... (full context)

...authorities “may do irreparable harm to the householders” who want to protect their material interests. Hovstad and Billing fervently announce that they hope never to have any interests to protect. (full context)

Aslaksen leaves and Billing says that they should get rid of him. Hovstad points out that the newspaper needs his financial support. Billing suggests that they apply to... (full context)

A knock is heard and Petra enters. She brings an English novel that Hovstad has asked her to translate but hands it back to him, saying that she can’t... (full context)

Petra criticizes Hovstad for setting “snares for your readers,” but he blames Billing for choosing the story and... (full context)

Hovstad is disconcerted but receives the mayor politely. Peter slyly relates that Dr. Stockmann has embarked... (full context)

Hovstad and Mr. Aslaksen try to intimidate Peter by hinting that they are intimately acquainted with... (full context)

...and turns on Dr. Stockmann, denouncing him for his “unjustifiable” attack on the town’s well-being. Hovstad, stammering, withdraws his own support from the doctor and asks Peter if he has an... (full context)

Suddenly, Mr. Aslaksen sees Dr. Stockmann outside the window. Wanting to avoid an awkward encounter, Hovstad ushers Peter into another office to hide. He and Aslaksen pretend to be occupied when... (full context)

Hovstad opens his mouth to tell Dr. Stockmann “the plain truth,” but suddenly Katherine enters the... (full context)

...revolution he believes he’s about to begin, he and Katherine notice Peter’s hat sitting on Hovstad’s desk. Dr. Stockmann assumes that the mayor has been trying to entice Hovstad over to... (full context)

...People’s Messenger, and the Householders’ Association are now allied against him. Calmly, Peter turns to Hovstad and Aslaksen and ask if this is the case. The two men astound Dr. Stockmann... (full context)

Hovstad says that he “dares not” print the article. Dr. Stockmann angrily responds that as the... (full context)

Hovstad adds that he’s also refraining from printing the article out of “regard” for Dr. Stockmann’s... (full context)

Hovstad, Billing, and Peter take their places on the floor; soon after, Dr. Stockmann enters in... (full context)

...care about the baths but is only interested in “a revolution.” The crowd applauds him. Hovstad pipes up to explain that he only supported Dr. Stockmann’s position when it seemed to... (full context)

Hovstad and Billing shout that the majority is always right, but Dr. Stockmann says that this... (full context)

Hovstad accuses Dr. Stockmann of becoming an aristocrat, but the doctor says he has no interest... (full context)

Sarcastically, Hovstad asks Dr. Stockmann to name one of these outdated ideas. The doctor responds that the... (full context)

...although he never hoped that everyone would support him, he did think that “freethinkers” like Hovstad would see the truth of his ideas. Hovstad denies that he has ever been a... (full context)

...animal world, Dr. Stockmann says, they ought to be true of people as well, but Hovstad won’t acknowledge the truth because he “retains the traces of his common origin” rather than... (full context)

...morally correct, when their actions are always based in “falsehood and deceit.” Mr. Aslaksen and Hovstad accuse him of trying to ruin the town, and he responds that he would rather... (full context)

Hovstad shouts that Dr. Stockmann is a public enemy, and the crowd takes up this cry.... (full context)

Just after his departure, Hovstad and Aslaksen present themselves. Dr. Stockmann is astounded they can face him after their behavior... (full context)

...what they will do if, in the end, he refuses to give them the money; Hovstad threatens that they could use the newspaper to expose him for his supposed trick with... (full context)

Hovstad Character Analysis

Hovstad Quotes in An Enemy of the People

Act I Quotes

Act II Quotes

Act III Quotes

Act IV Quotes

Hovstad Character Timeline in An Enemy of the People