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An Enemy of the People | Study Guide

Henrik Ibsen

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Course Hero. "An Enemy of the People Study Guide." Course Hero. 16 Mar. 2018. Web. 28 May 2023. <https://www.coursehero.com/lit/An-Enemy-of-the-People/>.

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Course Hero. (2018, March 16). An Enemy of the People Study Guide. In Course Hero. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/An-Enemy-of-the-People/

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Course Hero. "An Enemy of the People Study Guide." March 16, 2018. Accessed May 28, 2023. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/An-Enemy-of-the-People/.

Footnote

Course Hero, "An Enemy of the People Study Guide," March 16, 2018, accessed May 28, 2023, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/An-Enemy-of-the-People/.

An Enemy of the People | Act Summaries

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Timeline of Events

  • Evening in the late 1800s

    People gather at the Stockmanns' house.

    Act 1
  • Later that evening

    Dr. Stockmann gets news about the danger of the Baths and shares it with his guests.

    Act 1
  • The next morning

    Hovstad warns the doctor not to trust the mayor.

    Act 2
  • A few minutes later

    The mayor and Dr. Stockmann argue about the Baths.

    Act 2
  • During the fight

    The mayor warns the doctor he might lose his job if he talks about the Baths.

    Act 2
  • Following the fight

    The doctor decides to let the truth be told.

    Act 2
  • Later that day

    Hovstad anticipates getting rid of the mayor.

    Act 3
  • A short time later

    The mayor tells Hovstad and Aslaksen the town will have to pay to repair the Baths.

    Act 3
  • Shortly after that

    Hovstad and Aslaksen refuse to publish the doctor's report.

    Act 3
  • The next evening

    A town meeting is held at Captain Horster's house.

    Act 4
  • During the meeting

    Aslaksen is named chairman of the meeting.

    Act 4
  • A few minutes later

    Enraged they won't listen, Dr. Stockmann insults the entire town.

    Act 4
  • At the meeting's end

    Dr. Stockmann is declared "an enemy of the people."

    Act 4
  • The morning after

    The Stockmanns lose their home and jobs and discuss moving away.

    Act 5
  • A few minutes later

    The mayor accuses Dr. Stockmann of lying about the Baths to make money.

    Act 5
  • Shortly after that

    Hovstad and Aslaksen offer to help Dr. Stockmann if he supports them financially.

    Act 5
  • Immediately after

    Dr. Stockmann decides to stay in town and fight for the truth.

    Act 5

Act Summaries Chart

Act Summary
Act 1 The scene takes place in the Stockmanns' house. As the curtain rises, Mrs. Stockmann is serving food to Billing, a local... Read More
Act 2 It is the next morning. Dr. Stockmann receives a letter from his brother the mayor, who says he has read Dr. Stockmann's... Read More
Act 3 This scene happens in the offices of The People's Messenger, later the same day. Billing and Hovstad celebrate the "hard... Read More
Act 4 The scene is a town meeting held at Captain Horster's house. Many citizens are gathered, although they don't seem to und... Read More
Act 5 The scene takes place the next morning in Dr. Stockmann's study. The room is in disorder, the windows broken. After the ... Read More
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