4.3 (B) An Enemy of the People-
Henrik Johan Ibsen
Characters in the drama:
Summary of the drama:
'An Enemy of the People' is a realistic play by Ibsen that describes and exposes the hypocrisy and cowardice of the Progressives and Democrats. Moral conflict is the significant element of this play. This play throws light on the ways in which an individual can be ostracized by the society he is trying to help. Dr. Stockmann is the protagonist of the play whereas his elder brother Peter Stockmann is the antagonist of the play.
The central character Dr. Stockmann , a medical officer finds that the bath water is contaminated after a clinical tests. Therefore he wants to publish an article and expose the corruption. But Peter Stockmann, elder brother and mayor of the town and chairman of bath committee warns Dr. Stockmann not to publish an article, otherwise he will have to face terrible consequences for him and his family. Hovstad, editor of People's Messanger' and Aslaksen, a printer were initially with Dr. Stockmann but after the manipulation of Peter, they decide not to print this article. So Dr. Stockmann decides to hold town meeting which turns disastrous, in which town people shout, 'He is an enemy of the people'. His home is pelted with stones, windows are smashed, his daughter Petra is removed from her job as a teacher, his landlords wants to evict him. But he stands firm in the face of difficulties and ignores Peter's advice to leave the town for a few months. He ends by proclaiming 'The strongest man in the world is he who stands alone'.
Setting of the play:
It's evening time. The play opens in the office of the liberal newspaper 'People's Messanger'. Dr. Stockmann along with his wife Katherine Stockmann discusses an issue of article Dr. Stockmann wants Hovstad and Billing to print about the bacteria in the water of baths.
1. Dr. Thomsan Stockman
Dr. Stockmann is an affectionate husband to Katherine and a father to Petra, Morten and Ejlif. He is the protagonist and expoeses dangerous water contamination of baths in the town. Dr. Stockmann is an honest man in the life of the town who discovers the healing water is polluted causing illness to the users.
2. Katherine Stockmann
Mrs Stockmann is Dr. Stockmann's wife and his loyal supporter. She is also a caring mother. In the beginning, she doesn't want her husband to go against the wishes of his brother, Peter Stockmann. But in the course of time, she givens her full support and approval to her husband, Dr. Stockmann.
3. Petra Stockmann
Petra is Dr. Stockmann's adult daughter, a school teacher who is fired for supporting her father Dr. Stockmann. She is freethinker and advocates the notion of the truth. Petra demonstrates high level of independence. At the end Petra assures her father to help her father in the new school he plans to open.
4. Peter Stockmann
Peter Stockmann is a mayor of the town and an elder brother of Dr. Stockmann. He is highly practical man and does not want of uncover the reality and truth to public because of money. Dr. Stockmann and Peter do not have good relationship. The mayor acts in his own self-interest all the times and couldn't understand his brother Dr. Stockmann.
5. Hovstad
Hovstad is the professional editor who doesn't want to be personally affected. His main concern is to increase the popularity and circulation of this newspaper and for this purpose he is ready to ignore the principle. Initially, he seems to be supportive to Dr. Stockmann but when it is known that public will not support any idea, he turns against Dr. Stockmann.
6. Aslaksen
Aslaksen is a printer and a man known for his moderation. He appreciates Dr. Stockmann's research at first but then quickly sides with the mayor. As a leader of two organization, Aslaksen considers himself as voice of common man.
7. Billing
Billig works for Hovstad and is a news reporter. He thinks himself to be radical but likes to improve his own situation. He wishes to take a political post to earn more money.
8. Morten Kill
Mrs. Stockmann's father, Morten Kiil is a poorly educated and crude man who made a lot of money running a tannery. He doesn't understand Dr. Stockmann, but he enjoys seeing the town in an uproar.
Activities based on the play:
1. Mayor Peter Stockmann is a contrast to Dr. Thomas Stockmann. Justify.
Ans-Two major characters in this drama are Peter Stockmann and Dr. Stockmann . Dr. Thomas Stockmann is the protagonist of the drama. He is a medical officer of the town Baths. He is an honest, idealistic and supporter of the truth. He discovers that the baths in the town are contaminated and expects to repair or close it. He wants to publish an article on it to aware the people.
Mayor Peter Stockmann is the elder brother of Dr. Stockmann. He is also the chairman of the Bath Committee. He is an antagonist. He is motivated by money and power. He is not interested in truth. He is ruthless and not interested in the health of public.
2. Write the character sketch of Dr. Stockmann.
Ans-Dr. Thomas Stockmann is the main character and the protagonist of the drama. He is caring father, husband, family man and a medical officer. He is known as a friend of the people. As a medical officer, he discovers that the Baths in the town are contaminated and wants to instruct the town to repair or close them. He is a brave person. His views and beliefs remain unchanged. He wants his article to be published in the newspaper so that the people should know the real picture of the baths.
3. Read the given extract (Act III)
Complete the following table:
Ans.
4. Match the Column A and Column B
Ans.
5. Describe the climax scene in your own words. Write your comments on it.
Ans-
This extract of play shows that an honest man is always ready to fight for the truth. When Dr. Stockmann ensures that Hovstad is not interested in an article and does not want to print his manuscript, he declares that he will hire drum and parade the town with it and read his manuscript at every corner. He announces that his report will be made public in spite of all threats. Even his wife, Mrs Stockmann, who was initially against Dr. Stockmann, takes his side and assures him that their children will do the same. So it proves that there is such thing as 'family loyaty'. It also shows that the strongest man in the world is he who stands alone'.
6. Write down the consequences of the following occurrences with the help of the extract.
1. Dr. Thomas Stockmann wants an article exposing social evils to be printed in the newspaper.
Ans-This enrages Peter Stockmann, the brother of Dr. Stockmann, chairman of Baths Committee and sees this an attack on his authority and reputation as the Mayor of the town. As a result he decides to provoke the public against Dr. Stockmann.
2. Mayor Peter Stockmann persuades Mr. Hovstad and Mr. Billing from printing the article.
Both Hovstad and Billling believe Mayor's words that Dr. Stockmann's report is none but the result of his imagination and there is no truth in this report at all. This makes them to turn against Dr. Stockmann and decide to print the statement given by Peter Stockmann.
3. Alaksen declares that he would not print Dr. Stockmann's article.
Ans-Alaksen's denial to print Dr. Stockmann's article is the result of Peter Stockmann's manipulation. So Dr. Stockmann wishes to hold public meeting to declare this truth. He declares that he will hire drum and parade the town with it and read his manuscript at every corner. He announces that his report will be made public in spite of all threats. Even his wife, Mrs Stockmann, who was initially against Dr. Stockmann, takes his side and assures him that their children will do the same.
4. Katherine encourages Dr. Stockmann to proceed in his attempts in the cause of public attempts.
Ans-This increases Dr. Stockmann's confidence who so far has been betrayed by everyone. With the assurance and support of his wife, Dr. Stockmann is ready to challenge the men to stop him from being patriot and doing the right thing.
COMPILED BY-DR. SALUNKHE T.B.
