An Enemy of the People characters

Also known as Doctor Stockmann

Appears from the start

The medical officer of a prosperous town's public baths and the brother of its mayor. Energetic, outspoken, and proud of the baths' success, he has investigated recurring illness among visitors and receives laboratory evidence that waste from nearby tanneries is contaminating the water.

Appears from the start

Thomas's practical and loyal wife. She worries about the effect that her husband's public fight may have on their income and children, while recognizing how difficult it is to make him abandon a principle.

Appears from the start

The Stockmanns' independent-minded daughter, a teacher who shares her father's impatience with hypocrisy and inherited opinion. She offers to help him and refuses to distance herself from his unpopular position.

Appears from the start

The town's mayor, chairman of the baths committee, and Thomas's elder brother. Formal and conscious of rank, he treats the baths as the foundation of the town's new prosperity and expects Thomas to respect official procedure.

Appears from the start

Editor of the local People's Messenger. He initially welcomes Thomas's discovery as evidence that the town's governing establishment has failed, and offers the newspaper as a platform for reform.

Appears from the start

A sub-editor at the People's Messenger who is active in local politics. He enthusiastically supports publishing Thomas's report when it appears useful to the paper's campaign against the authorities.

First appears in chapter 2

The printer of the People's Messenger and leader of the small property owners' association. He repeatedly presents moderation and majority opinion as safeguards, and offers support only while he believes reform will not impose heavy costs on taxpayers.

Appears from the start

A sea captain who visits the Stockmann family. Less involved in the town's political alliances than the newspaper men, he offers the use of his house when Thomas needs a venue for a public meeting.

Appears from the start

Katherine's adoptive father, a tannery owner known locally as the Badger. He enjoys needling Thomas and doubts that invisible contamination can be as serious as the doctor claims.