Arthur Miller's Adaptation Of An Enemy Of The People

In Arthur Miller’s adaptation of An Enemy of the People, the town is strong in what they believe in, but their lives they are quick to change. In the first part of the book, everyone was for the doctor and is excited about his whole plan. Then when the people heard what the mayor had to say about the doctors plan, they all turned against the doctor. In this book there is no good versus evil, there are only two versions of good clashing against each other and both think they are better. Never once does either of them try to hurt the other they are just both so set on helping the town that they do hurt each other in the way they think the town needs it. Although Peter and Thomas argue all the time about the springs, Peter knows that Thomas just

At sometimes in the book a visit from the mayor to the doctors house turns into a wrestling match over which one can help the town and the springs better. Such as when Peter said, “ Was it necessary to make all these investigations behind my back? As Dr. Stockman replies, “Yes, because until I was absolutely certain about it. Peter Stockmann. then says, “Then you mean that you are absolutely certain now? As Dr. Stockmann.replies back, “ Surely you are convinced of that(51). These fights happen all the time there is no one scene between the doctor and the mayor. It seems as if their views of how the town should saved are so different that they are foreshadowing their better judgement. Even after the mayor turns the doctor into an enemy of the people, he stills bad about doing so as if he knows he should not be doing this to his brother that only wanted to

For instance "Oh, if Peter were only here! Now you'll see how human beings can walk around and make judgements like blind rats"(54). As said in this Thomas thinks that Peter is making a society of a bunch of idiots and will not stand for it.

On the other hand, Peter interprets Thomas and the way he looks at peter and society as pathetic. When in reality deep down peter knows that is true, and the only reason he is acting in this way is so he can keep his high value in society. In fact in the book towards the Peter even goes back to Thomas and says he is sorry for the way he acted and tried to get his name good back in society. Even though, Peter and Thomas fight all the time Peter knows that Thomas is just trying to earn the respect of Peter in the town. Even if Peter does not want to admit he knows it is true.

The problem is that Thomas does not realize what all Peter does for him in the town behind the scenes. For instance, Thomas does not realize how much say Peter has in Thomas getting a job for the city. Also Peter never wanted Thomas to be an enemy of the people, he just wanted him to know that the way he wanted to do things was not always the best way. The thing is that Thomas has his set way and that's it no one can budge or change how he wants it done. Throughout the book, you can see how this makes Thomas a public enemy and in Thomases mind all the blame goes