Find the perfect quote to float your boat. Shmoop breaks down key quotations from An Enemy of the People.
Society and Class Quotes
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "there is an excellent spirit of toleration in the town--an admirable municipal spirit. And it all springs from the fact of our having a great common interest to unite us [&#...
Principles Quotes
Hovstad: "When I took over the 'People's Messenger' my idea was to break up this ring of self-opinionated old fossils who had got hold of all the influence." Dr. Stockmann: "But you know you told m...
Wealth Quotes
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "Think how extraordinarily the place has developed within the last year or two! Money has been flowing in […]" Hovstad: "And unemployment is diminishing." Mayor Peter S...
Rules and Order Quotes
Dr. Stockmann: "They [the young] are the people who are going to stir up the fermenting forces of the future, Peter." Mayor Peter Stockmann: "May I ask what they will find here to 'stir up'[…...
Politics Quotes
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "I am entitled to request most emphatically that all arrangements shall be […] dealt with by the legally constituted authorities. I can allow no going behind our backs...
Pride Quotes
Hovstad: "[The Baths ] owe their existence to [Dr. Stockmann]. Mayor Peter Stockmann: "To him? Indeed! It is true I have heard from time to time that some people are of that opinion." (1.46-47)
Hypocrisy Quotes
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "I personally have no reason to bear any ill will to your paper, Mr. Hovstad." (1.27)
Power Quotes
Mayor Peter Stockmann: "I must say it all sounds most mysterious. Is there something going on that I am to be kept in ignorance of? I should have imagined that I, as Chairman of the governing body...