An Enemy of the People
I. About Henrik Johan Ibsen
- Henrik Johan Ibsen (1828-1906) was a Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet.
- He is considered one of the founders of modernism in theatre.
- Ibsen is often called “the father of realism” and was a very influential playwright.
- In 1869, he started writing plays in prose (ordinary writing, not poetry).
- Some critics say that Ibsen moved away from poetry and began focusing on realism at this point.
- In 1877, he began writing a series of five plays that explore the moral flaws of modern society.
- These plays include “The Pillars of Society,” “A Doll’s House,” “Ghosts,” “An Enemy of the People,” and “The Wild Duck.”
- Like all of Ibsen’s plays, “An Enemy of the People” was originally written in Norwegian and has some wordplay that is difficult to translate.
- Some of the characters’ titles are specific to the Norwegian government.
- Ibsen suggests that someone who tells the truth might become unpopular, even if people eventually agree with them.
- The main character, Stockmann, says a famous line: “The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone!”
II. Themes in “An Enemy of the People”
- “An Enemy of the People” is a realistic play that looks at politics in a Norwegian town.
- It shows the hypocrisy and cowardice of political groups.
- Like Ibsen’s other plays, it deals with moral conflict.
- The play explores how much people’s desires and beliefs are affected by society.
- It focuses on how a person can be rejected by the society they are trying to help.
- The main character’s problems are similar to those Ibsen faced after his play “Ghosts” was published.
- Ibsen said that he and the main character, Dr. Stockmann, agreed on many things.
- Dr. Stockmann, the play’s hero, eventually proves he is right.
- The play is still relevant today because Ibsen criticizes social problems, like the status of women and discomfort with open discussions about morality.
III. Synopsis of the Extract
- Dr. Stockmann finds out that the town’s new baths are contaminated and tells the town they need to be repaired or closed.
- The Mayor, Dr. Stockmann’s brother, doesn’t believe the report and refuses to close the baths because it will financially ruin the town.
- Dr. Stockmann tries to get the people on his side, but the mayor convinces them that repairing the baths will be too costly and that the doctor has “wild, fanciful ideas”.
- At a public meeting, the townspeople declare Dr. Stockmann an enemy of the people.
- Initially, the doctor plans to leave town, but he eventually decides to stay and fight for what he believes in.
IV. Key Characters
- Dr. Thomas Stockmann: The protagonist, a medical officer.
- Mrs. Stockmann: Dr. Stockmann’s wife.
- Petra: Dr. Stockmann’s daughter, a teacher.
- Ejlif & Morten: Dr. Stockmann’s sons.
- Peter Stockmann: Dr. Stockmann’s elder brother, the mayor.
- Morten Kiil: Mrs. Stockmann’s adoptive father.
- Hovstad: Editor of the “People’s Messenger”.
- Billing: Sub-editor of the newspaper.
- Captain Horster
- Aslaksen: A printer.
V. Act III Extract Notes
- The scene is set in the editorial office of the “People’s Messenger” newspaper.
- Hovstad is writing, and Billing enters with Dr. Stockmann’s manuscript.
- Billing is impressed with the Doctor’s article, describing it as “crushing”.
- Hovstad and Billing discuss the potential impact of the article and the political situation.
- Dr. Stockmann enters and tells them to print the article.
- Dr. Stockmann reveals he plans to write more articles.
- Aslaksen enters and expresses concern.
- Hovstad praises the article, and Aslaksen agrees to print it.
- Dr. Stockmann emphasizes the importance of accuracy in printing.
- Dr. Stockmann talks about the threats he has faced and his determination to fight for his beliefs.
- The discussion expands to broader social issues.
- The act closes with a sense of anticipation for the coming conflict.
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