AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
Henrik Ibsen
-19th century norwegian playwright and theatre director
-one of the most influential playwrights of his time and western literature
-founder of modernism and naturalism in theatre, referred to as ‘father of realism’
-during victorian era, his plays were considered scandalous, endings changed
-themes; reality behind facades, free inquiry into conditions of life and issues of morality
-most frequently performed after shakespeare
-major works a doll’s house, peer gynt
An enemy of the people
-published 1882
-problem play in which a man dares to expose an unpalatable truth publicly and is punished for it
-criticises hypocrisy of society's moral code, corrupt authorities and public ignorance
-two key messages: criticism of democracy (tyranny of majority, manipulation of leaders), how one
man’s bravery and self respect can survive overwhelming odds
Female characters
-Katherine: depicted primarily concerned w security n well being of family
Hesitant to support his political crusade bc fear of harm, keen understanding of diplomacy and
sees through hypocrisy, despite doubts she stands by husband, Dr. stockmann sees her as
hindrance while she is the most practical, principled and sincere,
-Petra: schoolteacher, fired for supporting father; freethinking and rigorous notion of truth, critical
of conservative ideas she’s forced to teach, falling out w hovstad, changing norms and
opportunities for women, independent, voices ideas freely, unlike mother more willing and able
to support father, both mom and daughter possess loyalty and seeing through hypocrisy, vows
to help establish new school; authority and commitment
Male characters
-dr. Stockmann: protagonist, impetus and charming, strong sense of public duty, plans
construction of baths and exposes contamination, stands for freedom of speech and highlights
struggles of idealistic individuals against corrupt majorities, but idealism turns to egotism, makes
him dismissive of challenges to ideas and others’ perspectives (conviction that hes a visionary),
belittles and insults majority when they disagree, sees daughter and wife as helpers confined to
domestic spheres but they save him from many errors bc of their humility and better thinking,
questions worthiness of principles at the end but vows to set up school, extremely idealistic and
even naive and foolish
-Peter: one of major antagonists, conservatism and using power to uphold traditional norms,
benefit wealthy elite, strained relation evident from start; disputes over inception of bath and
quarrels, quickly turns against dr to protect himself leading to dr social humiliation, highlights
corruption and greed of those in power, but not portrayed as stupid rather wiser and
outmanoeuvres dr, political victory but morally bankrupt
-Morten Kiil: tannery owner, initially harmless trickster who enjoys chaos and social upset, thinks
dr.s findings are a prank and encourages him to frighten authorities, later however, when
Henrik Ibsen
-19th century norwegian playwright and theatre director
-one of the most influential playwrights of his time and western literature
-founder of modernism and naturalism in theatre, referred to as ‘father of realism’
-during victorian era, his plays were considered scandalous, endings changed
-themes; reality behind facades, free inquiry into conditions of life and issues of morality
-most frequently performed after shakespeare
-major works a doll’s house, peer gynt
An enemy of the people
-published 1882
-problem play in which a man dares to expose an unpalatable truth publicly and is punished for it
-criticises hypocrisy of society's moral code, corrupt authorities and public ignorance
-two key messages: criticism of democracy (tyranny of majority, manipulation of leaders), how one
man’s bravery and self respect can survive overwhelming odds
Female characters
-Katherine: depicted primarily concerned w security n well being of family
Hesitant to support his political crusade bc fear of harm, keen understanding of diplomacy and
sees through hypocrisy, despite doubts she stands by husband, Dr. stockmann sees her as
hindrance while she is the most practical, principled and sincere,
-Petra: schoolteacher, fired for supporting father; freethinking and rigorous notion of truth, critical
of conservative ideas she’s forced to teach, falling out w hovstad, changing norms and
opportunities for women, independent, voices ideas freely, unlike mother more willing and able
to support father, both mom and daughter possess loyalty and seeing through hypocrisy, vows
to help establish new school; authority and commitment
Male characters
-dr. Stockmann: protagonist, impetus and charming, strong sense of public duty, plans
construction of baths and exposes contamination, stands for freedom of speech and highlights
struggles of idealistic individuals against corrupt majorities, but idealism turns to egotism, makes
him dismissive of challenges to ideas and others’ perspectives (conviction that hes a visionary),
belittles and insults majority when they disagree, sees daughter and wife as helpers confined to
domestic spheres but they save him from many errors bc of their humility and better thinking,
questions worthiness of principles at the end but vows to set up school, extremely idealistic and
even naive and foolish
-Peter: one of major antagonists, conservatism and using power to uphold traditional norms,
benefit wealthy elite, strained relation evident from start; disputes over inception of bath and
quarrels, quickly turns against dr to protect himself leading to dr social humiliation, highlights
corruption and greed of those in power, but not portrayed as stupid rather wiser and
outmanoeuvres dr, political victory but morally bankrupt
-Morten Kiil: tannery owner, initially harmless trickster who enjoys chaos and social upset, thinks
dr.s findings are a prank and encourages him to frighten authorities, later however, when
