An Enemy of the People

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

2446

Title

An Enemy of the People

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in a Norwegian coastal town, this play follows Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer who discovers dangerous pollution in the public baths. When he attempts to expose the truth, he faces a united front of local officials, business owners, and the press who prioritize economic stability and social harmony over public health. Stockmann's refusal to compromise transforms him into a pariah, forcing him to defend his integrity against overwhelming public opinion and personal betrayal.

Summary up to 500 words

Henrik Ibsen's *An Enemy of the People* presents a searing critique of societal conformity and the tyranny of the majority through the tragic rise and fall of Dr. Thomas Stockmann. The narrative unfolds in a coastal Norwegian town where the economy relies heavily on its public bathing facilities. Dr. Stockmann, the town's medical officer, discovers that the water supply is dangerously contaminated by sewage. Despite his professional duty to warn the public, he faces immediate hostility from the Mayor, his brother Peter, the newspaper editor Hovstad, and the business community. They argue that exposing the scandal will destroy the town's reputation and economy, urging Stockmann to remain silent for the perceived "greater good." Initially, Stockmann attempts to work within the system, hoping for a rational discussion. However, upon publishing his findings in the *People's Messenger*, the town turns against him. His family, friends, and even his father-in-law abandon him to protect their financial interests. The play vividly explores the theme of expediency over integrity, illustrating how the fear of losing popularity silences the truth. Stockmann is ostracized, his home is threatened, and he is labeled an "enemy of the people" by the very community he sought to save. As the conflict escalates, Stockmann realizes that the corrupt consensus is more powerful than individual conscience. He rejects the notion that the majority is always right, declaring that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone. The play concludes with Stockmann preparing to leave his home and start a new life, having sacrificed his social standing to uphold his moral and scientific principles. Through this struggle, Ibsen critiques the dangers of mob rule, the suppression of dissent, and the difficulty of maintaining integrity in a society driven by short-term gain rather than long-term truth.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Drama
• Politics