An Enemy of the People, by Henrik Ibsen, is a play concerning truth, bureaucrats, and the majority rule. Ibsen points out the negative side of small town politics and the power of persuasion. When Dr. Stockman discovers that the town's Spa is contaminated, the citizens praise him for saving their town. The authorities are against closing the Spa for their own selfless reasons and begin to manipulate the citizens. The authorities use their position in town to convince the chief editor of the local paper to take their point of view. Then, persuade the editor to print their view in the paper to reach the town's people. The citizens of the town, who are the majority, are easily manipulated by what they want to hear.
When Dr. Stockman discovers the town's Spa has contaminated water, two highly admired townsmen automatically praise him. They feel that the doctor has saved their town from ruin. Hovstad, editor-in-chief-of the local paper, and Aslasken, the owner of a printing business, publisher of the local paper, Secretary of the Temperance Union, and chair of the local Homeowners Association. Hovstad and Aslasken both have a huge influence over the citizens and they feel that politics will try to intervene. .
Hovstad states that "[t]he public should know, and the sooner the better (Act I, Speech 269)."" Hovstad even suggest that the contamination is not what it seems, yet is " the town has been taken over by a small clique of bureaucrats (Act II, Speech 76)."" Aslasken's character works in moderation; he tries to please everyone all the time. Even when he was supporting the doctor's view he suggested a public statement " that would not be disagreeable to our local authorities. With care, I believe that we would not offend anyone- (Act II, Speech 128).""He is also in a high position in the town and he knows the best thing is to bring the subject up lightly to the public. He wants to keep his options open when the time comes to choosing sides.
