Question Answers Class 11 Chapter 4.3 (B) Yuvakbharati English Maharashtra Board

An Enemy of the People

Character

1. Mayor Peter Stockmann is a contrast to Dr. Thomas Stockmann. Justify.

Answer :- Yes, Mayor Peter Stockmann and Dr. Thomas Stockmann are contrasting characters in both ideals and behavior:

• Peter Stockmann is practical, authoritative, and conservative. He prioritizes the economic welfare of the town and seeks to maintain power and reputation, even at the cost of truth and public health.
• Dr. Thomas Stockmann is idealistic, honest, and brave. He values truth, morality, and public health over convenience, personal gain, or popularity.
• While Peter uses his position to suppress truth and manipulate others, Thomas stands alone to expose corruption and fight for the community, even when declared an “enemy of the people.”

2. Write the character sketch of Dr. Stockmann.

Answer :- Dr. Thomas Stockmann is:

• A brave and principled medical officer of the municipal baths.
• He discovers pollution in the bathwater and decides to expose the truth, risking his job, reputation, and family’s safety.
• Despite threats, he refuses to compromise and declares:”The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone.”
• He is idealistic, believes in scientific truth, and wants to cleanse the moral and social evils of society.
• His honesty, courage, and determination make him a true hero and a symbol of integrity.

3. Read the given extract (Act III)

(i) Complete the following table.

Answer :-

(ii) Match the column A with column B.

Answer:-

Plot

1. Describe the climax scene in your own words. Write your comments on it.

Answer: In the climax scene, Dr. Stockmann learns that everyone has turned against him, including the newspaper editors Hovstad, Billing, and the printer Aslaksen, who earlier supported him. They refuse to print his article exposing the truth about the polluted Baths.

Even his brother, Mayor Peter Stockmann, tries to silence him by calling him an enemy of the people. Despite the pressure, Dr. Stockmann remains firm and determined. His wife Katherine and daughter Petra support him, showing courage.

Dr. Stockmann finally declares that he will not give up. He says he will print the article himself or even read it aloud at every street corner if needed. He proves that truth is more important than public approval.

2. Describe in your own words the incident when Hovstad’s real intention to help Dr. Stockmann is exposed.

Answer: In the beginning, Hovstad, the editor of the newspaper, supports Dr. Stockmann and agrees to publish his article. He pretends to care about truth and justice, but later his real motive is revealed.

When Petra brings him an English story and refuses to translate it (because it is morally false), she realizes that Hovstad only cares about gaining public support. She questions him and understands that he is helping her father only because he wants political power, not because he believes in the truth.

Hovstad tries to impress Petra and also manipulates public opinion. Petra exposes him by saying,

3. Write down the consequences of the following occurrences with the help of the play:

(a) Dr. Thomas Stockmann wants an article exposing social evils to be printed in the newspaper.

Consequence:

At first, the editor Hovstad and printer Aslaksen support Dr. Stockmann. But when they realize the article will hurt powerful people and cost

money to repair the Baths, they refuse to print it. Dr. Stockmann is isolated, insulted, and called an enemy of the people.

(b) Mayor Peter Stockmann persuades Mr. Hovstad and Mr. Billing from printing the article.

Consequence:

Hovstad and Billing, who earlier supported Dr. Stockmann, change their stance. They become afraid of losing public support and side with the

Mayor. They decide to print the Mayor’s version instead of Dr. Stockmann’s article.

(c) Aslaksen declares that he would not print Dr. Stockmann’s article.

Consequence:

Dr. Stockmann loses the last support he had in the printing press. Aslaksen fears public backlash and refuses to help. This leads to

Dr.Stockmann’s decision to self-publish the truth or read it publicly in the streets. It pushes him closer to complete social rejection.

(d) Katherine encourages Dr. Stockmann to proceed in his attempts in the cause of public welfare.

Consequence:

Her support gives Dr. Stockmann emotional strength and motivation. He becomes more determined to fight for truth and justice. Even though

society rejects him, his family stands with him, making him stronger.

Setting:

1. The setting of the act is the office of the newspaper ‘The Herald’. Explain how it is the proper background for the theme of the play.

Answer: The newspaper office is the central place of public communication and opinion-making. It is where truth can be published or hidden. In the play, Dr. Stockmann brings his article to expose a serious social evil.

At first, the editors support him. But when political and financial pressure comes, they change sides. The same place which was supposed to serve truth and public welfare becomes a place of fear, lies, and betrayal.

2. Explain the use of the following property in the development of the play:

(a) Hat

Answer: The hat belongs to Mayor Peter Stockmann. When Dr. Stockmann finds the hat in the office, he wears it playfully and mocks his

brother ‘sauthority. This moment shows his rebellion against corrupt power and symbolizes his refusal to bow down.

(b) Stick

Answer: The stick is also left behind by Mayor Peter. Dr. Stockmann picks it up along with the hat. This act represents that moral authority

now lies with the truth-teller, not the ruler. It adds to the comic yet bold challenge he throws at his brother.

(c) An envelope containing the letter

Answer: The envelope contains the official statement written by Mayor Peter. He wants it printed instead of Dr. Stockmann’s article. This

letter is used to silence the truth and protect the corrupt system.

3. Explain the following statements with reference to the context.

(a) “And then, once the ring’s broken, we’ll get to work and show the public every day just how incompetent the Mayor is!”

Reference to Context: This line is spoken by Hovstad, the editor of the newspaper. At this point, he is pretending to support Dr.

Stockmann’s article about the polluted Baths.

Explanation: Hovstad sees an opportunity to attack the Mayor and promote his political agenda. He plans to use the article to break the powerful group (the “ring”) controlling the town. His focus is not on truth or health but on weakening the Mayor’s image.

(b) “From now on ‘The Herald’ shall be my artillery.”

Reference to Context: Dr. Stockmann says this when he believes that the newspaper The Herald will support him in spreading the truth.

Explanation: He compares the newspaper to artillery (a weapon). He wants to fight corruption and social evil using the power of

truthful writing.

(c) “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

Reference to Context: This line is said by Petra, Dr. Stockmann’s daughter, to Hovstad when she realizes he is using her father for personal gain.

Explanation:Petra is angry that Hovstad lied about supporting truth. She realizes he was more interested in her than in helping Dr.

Stockmann. She expresses her disappointment and disgust at his hypocrisy.

(d) “Because your father can’t do without my help.”

Reference to Context: Hovstad says this to Petra, hoping she will still consider him trustworthy.

Explanation: Hovstad tries to justify his actions by saying Dr. Stockmann needs his support. But Petra sees through this and realizes that

Hovstad is using their situation to manipulate them.

(e) “And it’s by no means the small sacrifice the town will have to make.”

Reference to Context: This is said by Peter Stockmann (the Mayor) to Hovstad and Aslaksen when trying to stop them from printing

Dr. Stockmann’s article.

Explanation: Peter warns that if the article is published, the Baths will be closed, and the town will suffer huge financial losses. He tries to

scare them by calling it a “sacrifice” and urges them to put profit over truth.