Review – An Enemy of the People by Henrick Ibsen
A Commentary of Today's Society
Henrik Ibsen is recognized for his works and their powerful social and political themes. His plays examine the moral faults of modern society.
In this particular play, An Enemy of the People, disagreement became the primary focus, and the adversary was the entire community. Basically, it is a criticism of democracy. Ibsen’s critique of democracy is dual. He brings the spotlight to the autocracy of the majority and how leaders can be the tyrants in this sort of community.
Major Characters
Doctor Thomas Stockmann, the idealistic medical officer of the town baths, is Ibsen’s illustration of a dutiful citizen. He believed that he owed it to the public to communicate the true condition of the baths, that it was polluted by impurities, although it was not obvious.
On the other hand, Dr. Stockmann’s brother, Peter Stockmann was the burgomaster (mayor) or the town. He was upset that Thomas conducted the investigation without his knowledge. Ibsen used him to represent the typical politician who thinks that the individual must subordinate himself not only to society but moreover to the authorities whose business, supposedly, is to watch over its welfare.
Summary
The town has built a huge bathing complex that is crucial to the town’s economy. Unfortunately, Dr. Stockmann has just discovered that the baths’ drainage system is seriously contaminated. He alerts the community and receives support for considering the welfare of the townspeople. The next morning, however, his brother, who happens to be the mayor, tells him he must take back his statements because repairs would cost much. Furious, the doctor reports to the local paper but the mayor convinces the newsmen to oppose the doctor.
A town meeting is held to give a lecture on the baths, but the mayor tries to keep his brother from speaking. Dr. Stockmann then starts to condemn the foundations of the town and the tyranny of the majority. The audience finds his speech offensive and they do all sorts of violations to the doctor – his house was vandalized, his job lost, his daughter fired as well. The mayor insinuates that the doctor’s actions were merely a scheme to get money but Thomas Stockmann holds his ground saying that the strongest man is the man who stands alone.
Analysis of Political Issues: Representations and Meanings
In An Enemy of the People, he shows the tyranny of the majority. The majority is seen as a “tyrant” because the leaders of society are afraid to do what is right since they are the people’s mercy. The majority’s opinion becomes the basis for the actions of the members of the community.
The majority is liberalistic – they favor progress and reform but they have little concern for the hazards and negative consequences that their means may cause. The majority is afraid of risk and, according to the doctor, is not intelligent enough to do what is right.
While Ibsen illustrates the tyranny of the majority, he also shows how leaders can manipulate the majority. Ibsen’s idea is that the majority does not rule directly; instead, the idea and threat of the majority keeps leaders from acting honestly.
About the Author
Henrik Johan Ibsen, an influential Norwegian playwright and father of modern prose drama, is known for his plays and their high-impact social and political themes – as in this play, he tackles tyranny of the majority, the bent liberalism, and the short-comings of democracy, among others. Ibsen is considered as “one of the four great ones” of 19th century Norwegian literature along with Alexander Kielland, Jonas Lie, and Bjornstjerne Biornson.
Henrik Ibsen
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