An Enemy of the People

“Taking one thing with another, there is an excellent spirit of toleration in the town—an admirable municipal spirit.”

Peter says this line to Thomas in a discussion about the Baths prior to Thomas’s discovery of the polluted water. When viewed in light of subsequent events, this phrase becomes ironic foreshadowing. Thomas will ultimately meet an intolerant crowd in Act IV, and Peter will persuade the public to act against their municipal interests.

“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.”

Hovstad says this in Act I, and Horster, the ship captain, disagrees with him, stating that on an actual ship not everyone has the skill to be captain. Thomas ultimately embodies this quote in Act V when he decides that the only hope for the town is for him to stay and fight for the truth.

“If only I had the means I would start a school of my own, and it would be conducted on very different lines.”

Petra expresses her desire to teach children in her own way from the beginning of the play. She is dissatisfied with having to “lie” to the children. Her desire will ultimately be realized, somewhat against her will, in Act V, when Thomas declares that she will start a school for her brothers and other children to learn how to think for themselves.