Post #6

Dr. Stockman has discovered that the town’s bathing complex’s drainage system is contaminated. The baths are essential to the town’s economy, and a dysfunctional bathing complex would be economically devastating for the town. Instead of facing the truth and trying to make changes, there is a lot of opposition to Dr. Stockman’s discoveries. One group that opposed Dr. Stockman was the leaders of the town. This group was opposed to Dr. Stockman because they were concerned about power. The powerful leaders were fearful of losing power so they opposed Dr. Stockman. These leaders were fearful of the people, fearful of the majority. Fear of the majority is Ibsen’s main criticism in this play. He is criticizing the tyranny of the majority. The leaders of the town are at the people’s mercy because they are afraid of the majority. Hovstad’s action is one example of a leader folding under the mercy of the majority. Hovstad is the editor of the town’s main newspaper. Although he wanted to print Dr. Stockman’s report on the baths, he was influenced by the majority because he was fearful he would upset his subscribers. The mayor is another example of a person of power being influenced by the will of the majority. He does not want to reverse the original bath plans because it will confirm that he made a mistake. He is fearful that the majority will force him out of his position of power. Ibsen is also trying to prove the people of power can easily manipulate the majority. The townspeople are the other group that opposes Dr. Stockman. However, the people are manipulated by the leaders. Dr. Stockman holds a town meeting in order to inform the people of the bath problems. However, the mayor and Aslaksen keep him from speaking and are manipulating the majority. Also, I think Hovstad did not want to publish the story because he was trying to please the majority. He made the decision for the majority, that they would oppose Dr. Stockman’s discovery. Aslaksen, the mayor, and Hovstad all manipulated the majority and forced them to oppose Dr. Stockman without them even knowing they were being forced. Leaders have to try to please the majority even if they have to act dishonestly.