An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen
"An Enemy of the People" is a play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen that explores the conflict between individual integrity and societal pressure. Set in a small coastal town, the story follows Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who discovers that the local Baths, a source of pride and prosperity for the community, are contaminated. When he attempts to publicize his findings, he faces fierce opposition from his brother Peter, the mayor, and other townspeople who prioritize their economic interests over public health.
Despite initial support from local journalists, Dr. Stockmann's confrontation with the prevailing majority leads to his ostracism. Accused of being an "enemy of the people" for advocating truth and safety, he experiences personal and professional repercussions, including losing his job and facing hostility from the community. The play raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of truth, the role of the majority in shaping public opinion, and the moral responsibilities of individuals in the face of collective ignorance. It illustrates the tension between progress and tradition, ultimately portraying the struggle of a man who dares to challenge the status quo for the greater good.
An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen
First produced:En folkefiende, 1883; first published, 1882 (English translation, 1890)
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Social criticism
Time of plot: Late nineteenth century
Locale: Southern Norway
Principal Characters
Dr. Thomas Stockmann , a medical officerMrs. Stockmann , his wifePetra , his daughterPeter Stockmann , his brother, the mayorMorten Kiil , Mrs. Stockmann’s fatherHovstad , an editorBilling , a subeditorAslaksen , a printerCaptain Horster , Dr. Stockmann’s friend
The Story
All the citizens of the small Norwegian coastal town are very proud of the Baths, for the healing waters make the town famous and prosperous. Dr. Stockmann, the medical officer of the Baths, and his brother Peter, the mayor and chairman of the Baths committee, do not agree on many things, but they do agree that the Baths are the source of the town’s good fortune. Hovstad, the editor of the People’s Messenger, and his subeditor, Billing, are also loud in praise of the Baths. Business is good, and the people are beginning to enjoy prosperity.
Then Dr. Stockmann receives from the university a report stating that the waters of the Baths are contaminated. Becoming suspicious when several visitors became ill after taking the Baths, he felt it his duty to investigate. Refuse from tanneries above the town is oozing into the pipes leading to the reservoir and infecting the waters. This means that the big pipes will have to be relaid, at a tremendous cost to the owners or to the town. When Hovstad and Billing hear this news, they ask the doctor to write an article for their paper about the terrible conditions. They even speak of having the town give Dr. Stockmann a testimonial to honor him for his great discovery.
Dr. Stockmann writes up his findings and sends the manuscript to his brother so that his report can be acted upon officially. Hovstad calls on the doctor again, urging him to write articles for the People’s Messenger. It is Hovstad’s opinion that the town fell into the hands of a few officials who do not care about the people’s rights, and it is his intention to attack these men in his paper and urge the citizens to get rid of them in the next election.
Aslaksen, a printer who claims to have the compact majority under his control, also wants to join in the fight to get the Baths purified and the corrupt officials defeated. Dr. Stockmann cannot believe that his brother refuses to accept the report, but he soon learns that he is wrong. Peter goes to the doctor and insists that he keep his knowledge to himself because the income of the town will be lost if the report is made public. He says that the repairs will be too costly, that the owners of the Baths cannot stand the cost, and that the townspeople will never allow an increase in taxes to clean up the waters. He even insists that Dr. Stockmann write another report, stating that he was mistaken in his earlier judgment. He feels this action necessary when he learns that Hovstad and Billing know of the first report. When the doctor refuses to change his report or to withhold it, Peter threatens him with the loss of his position. Even the doctor’s wife pleads with him not to cross his powerful brother; he is sustained in his determination to do right only by his daughter Petra.
Hovstad, Billing, and Aslaksen are eager to print the doctor’s article so that the town can be aware of the falseness of the mayor and his officials. They think his words so clear and intelligible that all responsible citizens will revolt against the corrupt regime. Aslaksen does plead for moderation but promises to fight for what is right.
Peter Stockmann appears at the office of the People’s Messenger and cleverly tells Aslaksen, Hovstad, and Billing that the tradespeople of the town will suffer if the doctor’s report is made public. He says that they will have to stand the expense and that the Baths will be closed for two years while repairs are made. The two editors and the printer then turn against Dr. Stockmann and support Peter, believing that the majority would do so.
The doctor pleads with them to stand by the promises they gave him, but they are the slaves of the very majority opinion they claim to mold. When they refuse to print his article, the doctor calls a public meeting in the home of his friend, Captain Horster. Most of the citizens who attend already dislike him because the mayor and the newspaper editors spread the news that he wants to close the Baths and ruin the town. Aslaksen, nominated as chairman by the mayor, so controls the meeting that a discussion of the Baths is ruled out of order.
Nevertheless, Dr. Stockmann takes the floor and in ringing tones tells the citizens that it is the unbelievable stupidity of the authorities and the great multitude of the compact majority that causes all the evil and corruption in the world. He says that the majority destroys freedom and truth everywhere because the majority is ignorant and stupid. The majority is really in slavery to ideas that long outlived their truth and usefulness. He contends that ideas become outdated in eighteen or twenty years at the most, but that the foolish majority continues to cling to them and deny new truths brought to them by the intelligent minority. He challenges the citizens to deny that all great ideas and truths are first raised by the persecuted minority, those few who dare to stand out against the prevailing opinions of the many. He says that the real intellectuals can be distinguished as easily as can a thoroughbred animal from a crossbreed. Economic and social position has no bearing on the distinction. It is a man’s soul and mind that separate him from the ignorant masses.
Dr. Stockmann’s challenge goes unheard. As he knows, the majority cannot understand the meaning of his words. By vote they name him an enemy of the people. The next day they stone his house and send him threatening letters. His landlord orders him to move. He loses his position as medical director of the Baths, and his daughter Petra is dismissed from her teaching position. In each case the person responsible for the action states that it is public opinion that forced that action. No one has anything against him or his family, but no one will fight the opinion of the majority. Even Captain Horster, a friend who promised to take the Stockmanns to America on his next voyage, loses his ship because the owner is afraid to give a ship to the only man who stands by the radical Dr. Stockmann.
The doctor learns that his father-in-law bought up most of the now-undesirable Bath stock with the money that was to go to Mrs. Stockmann and the children. The townspeople accuse the doctor of attacking the Baths so that his family can buy the stock and make a profit, and his father-in-law accuses him of ruining his wife’s inheritance if he persists in his stories about the uncleanliness of the Baths. Reviled and ridiculed on all sides, Dr. Stockmann determines to fight back by opening a school. Starting only with urchins he finds on the streets, he will teach the town and the world that he is stronger than the majority, and that he is strong because he has the courage to stand alone.
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