Name: An Enemy of the People
Author: Henrik Ibsen
ISBN: 9780192113221

An Enemy of the People

Henrik Ibsen

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Author Description

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Menrva's Summary

THE PULSE

Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers that the town's primary economic engine, the municipal baths, is contaminated, setting him on a collision course with the local power structure. Driven by a commitment to public health and scientific truth, Stockmann attempts to expose the corruption and negligence of the town's leadership. He faces intense opposition from his own brother, the Mayor, and the local press, who prioritize economic stability and political reputation over the safety of the citizens. The narrative unfolds through a series of escalating confrontations, utilizing the structure of a five-act play to examine the tension between individual integrity and the pressures of the collective majority.

INSIDE THE PAGES

Five-act dramatic structure
Focus on the conflict between individual conscience and public opinion
Exploration of political corruption and media manipulation
Use of dialogue to reveal character motivations and societal hypocrisy
Setting centered on a small, insular Norwegian town
Themes of scientific ethics versus economic pragmatism
Character-driven narrative focusing on the isolation of the whistleblower
Climax involving a public meeting that turns into a mob confrontation

THE COLLECTIVE ECHO

Discussion often centers on the play's enduring relevance regarding the suppression of uncomfortable truths in favor of popular consensus. Readers frequently highlight the protagonist's transformation from a naive idealist to a defiant outcast as a central point of interest. Critics often analyze the work as a critique of the 'compact majority' and the inherent dangers of democratic systems when they prioritize conformity over objective reality. The pacing is noted for its steady escalation, moving from a domestic dispute to a broader philosophical debate about the nature of truth and power. Many readers find the play's examination of the media's role in shaping public perception to be particularly resonant in contemporary discourse.

Page Count:
0

Publication Date:
1960-01-01

Publisher:
Rinehart

ISBN-10:
0192113224

ISBN-13:
9780192113221

Drama

Dramas & Plays

Political fiction

Social Commentary

Plays

classic