Std.XI Drama
4.3 (B) An Enemy of the People
Writer: Henrik Johan Ibsen
He was a Norwegian playwright,
theatre director and poet. He was one of the founders of modernism in theatre.
Ibsen is often referred to as "the father of realism" and one of the
most influential playwrights of his time. In 1869, he began to write prose
plays.
His famous 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.
The holder of the truth, the
man who can see the essence of the situation, is bound to be unpopular, even if
the masses catch up with his ideas in due course. That is why Stockmann finally
sums up , the oft-quoted line: 'The strongest man in the world is he who stands
alone!'
Major Characters:
Dr. Thomas Stockmann: Medical Officer of the Municipal Baths.
Mrs. Stockmann: Dr. Thomas Stockmann’s wife.
Petra: Dr. Thomas Stockmann’s daughter, a teacher.
Peter Stockmann: Dr. Thomas Stockmann’s elder brother, Mayor of the Town
and Chief Constable, Chairman of the Baths' Committee, etc.
Hovstad: editor of the "People's Messenger."
Billing: sub-editor.
Aslaksen: a printer.
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Story of the drama:
The protagonist (hero) of the
play is Dr.Stockmann. He is a medical officer of the municipal baths. He suspects
that the bath water is harmful. He is proven right after clinical tests. But
his report is not accepted.
Therefore he wants to publish
an article and expose the corruption. Peter Stockmann is the brother of Dr.Stockmann.
He is also the mayor of the town and the Chairman of the Bath committee. He warns
Dr.Stockmann of terrible consequences for him and his family if he publishes the
article.
Hovstad, the editor of
People's Messenger and Aslaksen, the printer, are in the side of Peter Stockmann.
They decide not to publish the article. So Dr. Stockmann helds a town meeting.
It turns disastrous. Here town people called Dr. Stockmann as an enemy of the
people because Peter Stockmann misguides them. His home is attacked by stones.
The windows are smashed. He becomes the target of people's anger. His contract
as medical officer is terminated. His daughter Petra is removed from her job as
a teacher. His landlord forces him and his family to leave the home.
But Dr. Stockmann stands firm
in the face of difficulties. He ignores his brother Peter's advice to leave the
town for a few months. His wife is afraid that people might drive him out of
the town. Dr. Stockmann wants to stay in the town. He decides to convince the people
to understand that what is convenient is not always morally right.
He ends by proclaiming,
"'The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone."
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