An Enemy of the People was Ibsen's response to the public protest against his controversial 1881 play Ghosts. During this time, Europe as a whole was experiencing social upheaval. The masses were, for the first time, exposed to truly democratic ideology and political corruption. At this time, Europe had entered the second Industrial Revolution, and was approximately a year into the Partition of Africa, as part of the "New Imperialism" era (Civilization in the West, n.d.).
Here's the ending scene of the 1966 film adaptation of An Enemy of the People:
(Tom Ben Arye)
Doctor Thomas Stockmann - The protagonist who has been destitute for the majority of his life, but is now wealthy. A practicing medical doctor, Stockmann discovers that the water in the town baths is poisoned, and attempts to right this wrong. He believes that the "strongest man in the world is he who stands alone" (Ibsen).
Mrs. Katherine Stockmann - Dr. Stockmann's loyal, practical wife. She is also (depending on the translation) the adoptive daughter or granddaughter of Morten Kiil. Despite being extraordinarily polite, Katherine seems much more jaded, pessimistic than her daughter, sarcastically remarking "Yes, if only we could live on sunshine and spring air, Thomas" (Ibsen).
Petra Stockman - The idealistic daughter of Thomas and Katherine. She is a school teacher, disenfranchised and frustrated that the law requires her to teach things she doesn't believe in. She is eventually fired (along with her father) "Yes. I have been given notice of dismissal" (Ibsen).
Peter Stockmann - Dr. Stockman's brother, and the chairman of the baths committee. Pragmatic but ruthless, he is a successful politician. He believes in moderation and toleration. Taking one thing with another, thereis an excellent spirit of toleration in the town—an admirable municipal spirit. "And it all springs from the fact of our having a great common interest to unite us—an interest that is in an equally high degree the concern of
every right-minded citizen" (Ibsen).
Hovstad - Editor of The People's Herald, the town's left-wing newspaper. A political provocateur at heart, although he has become slightly corrupt. "And all this because the great, broadminded majority of the people is prudent enough to show deference only to well-ascertained and well-approved truths" (Ibsen).
Aslaksen - The printer of the newspaper who holds a degree of editorial control. He is also the chairman of the homeowners association (which represents the town's business class, and the majority of voters). He has a great deal of influence with the Temperance society, and is a believer in moderation. He constantly flaunts his political status "By virtue of my authority—!" (Ibsen).
Billing - A radical with plans to run for office, Billing works as an assistant at the newspaper. He is a believer in the majority. When Hovstad says that the majority always "has right on its side", he remarks "And truth too, by God!" (Ibsen).
Captain Horster - As a result of providing the hall for Dr. Stockmann's speech, Horster is fired from his job as a ship captain. After facing scrutiny for loaning out his hall to the Stockmans, he states, "I imagine I can do what I like with my ownpossessions, Mr. Vik" (Ibsen).
Morten Kiil - The owner of several of the tanneries that Dr. Stockmann implicates in his water pollution report. Kiil is also the (depending on the translation) adoptive father or grandfather of Katherine Stockmann, naming her and her children as beneficiaries in his will. "No, thank you. I am jealous of my name and reputation. They call me “the Badger,” I am told. A badger is a kind of pig, I believe; but I am not going to give them the right to call me that. I mean to live and die a clean man" (Ibsen).
Mrs. Katherine Stockmann - Dr. Stockmann's loyal, practical wife. She is also (depending on the translation) the adoptive daughter or granddaughter of Morten Kiil. Despite being extraordinarily polite, Katherine seems much more jaded, pessimistic than her daughter, sarcastically remarking "Yes, if only we could live on sunshine and spring air, Thomas" (Ibsen).
Petra Stockman - The idealistic daughter of Thomas and Katherine. She is a school teacher, disenfranchised and frustrated that the law requires her to teach things she doesn't believe in. She is eventually fired (along with her father) "Yes. I have been given notice of dismissal" (Ibsen).
Peter Stockmann - Dr. Stockman's brother, and the chairman of the baths committee. Pragmatic but ruthless, he is a successful politician. He believes in moderation and toleration. Taking one thing with another, thereis an excellent spirit of toleration in the town—an admirable municipal spirit. "And it all springs from the fact of our having a great common interest to unite us—an interest that is in an equally high degree the concern of
every right-minded citizen" (Ibsen).
Hovstad - Editor of The People's Herald, the town's left-wing newspaper. A political provocateur at heart, although he has become slightly corrupt. "And all this because the great, broadminded majority of the people is prudent enough to show deference only to well-ascertained and well-approved truths" (Ibsen).
Aslaksen - The printer of the newspaper who holds a degree of editorial control. He is also the chairman of the homeowners association (which represents the town's business class, and the majority of voters). He has a great deal of influence with the Temperance society, and is a believer in moderation. He constantly flaunts his political status "By virtue of my authority—!" (Ibsen).
Billing - A radical with plans to run for office, Billing works as an assistant at the newspaper. He is a believer in the majority. When Hovstad says that the majority always "has right on its side", he remarks "And truth too, by God!" (Ibsen).
Captain Horster - As a result of providing the hall for Dr. Stockmann's speech, Horster is fired from his job as a ship captain. After facing scrutiny for loaning out his hall to the Stockmans, he states, "I imagine I can do what I like with my ownpossessions, Mr. Vik" (Ibsen).
Morten Kiil - The owner of several of the tanneries that Dr. Stockmann implicates in his water pollution report. Kiil is also the (depending on the translation) adoptive father or grandfather of Katherine Stockmann, naming her and her children as beneficiaries in his will. "No, thank you. I am jealous of my name and reputation. They call me “the Badger,” I am told. A badger is a kind of pig, I believe; but I am not going to give them the right to call me that. I mean to live and die a clean man" (Ibsen).
Themes & Motifs
Henrik Ibsen used symbolism extensively throughout his career. In An Enemy of the People, the poisoned bath water represents political corruption. As for themes, financial prosperity, maintenance of the status quo and various social constructs, political corruption and hypocrisy, and various society/class are used (An Enemy of the People Themes, n.d.).
Henrik Ibsen used symbolism extensively throughout his career. In An Enemy of the People, the poisoned bath water represents political corruption. As for themes, financial prosperity, maintenance of the status quo and various social constructs, political corruption and hypocrisy, and various society/class are used (An Enemy of the People Themes, n.d.).