An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen is one of those extraordinary plays written in the 19th century that remains relevant, especially with regard to issues related to the environment and nature. It shows that many sensibilities of the 19th century population in a remote town in Norway could still be the same as those of some people today, especially those in government and in media.
Characters
Peter Stockmann
Peter Stockmann is the antagonist of the play. Next to Tom Stockmann, he is the most important character of the play after Tom Stockmann. The play practically revolves around him and Tom Stockmann. After all, the conflict is about the opposite positions the two brothers have taken.
Peter Stockmann personifies many government institutions and represents many people in the bureaucracy. He seems like a corrupt man but at the same time seems to be truly concerned with the welfare of his town and its people. He is a typical politician and local government administrator. He is a stereotype bureaucrat and politician. His corruption is subtle and perhaps has practical basis. He is the mayor of the town. He seems earnest in his commitment to help the town and the people as any politician would. H seems earnest in that commitment. (Ibsen, pp. 6–8) At the same time, he may be greedy and has his own vested interests as Hovstad implies (Ibsen, p. 26).
Unfortunately, Peter Stockmann has defined good in purely economic terms. He would not accept any alternative viewpoint or any other possible courses of actions to correct any problems. His chief concern is to bring about development and prestige to his town and make his people benefit from it—in the short term. Sadly, he does not foresee the possible consequence of his actions and decisions. Also, he would do anything to achieve his vision for his town. Unfortunately, he would do anything to achieve what he wants to do. He is willing to do corrupt actions to get what he wants. He coerces to the publisher and the editor to stop the publication of Tom Stockmann’s report and gets them to agree to try to get Tom Stockmann to come out with a bogus report favorable to government’s action. (Ibsen, pp. 53–59)
Finally, Peter Stockmann usurps all opportunities from Tom Stockmann to be able to present the negative research findings. He manages to get Tom Stockmann to be declared an ‘enemy of the people’. He does all of these to remove any obstacle that may be obstructing his goals. (Ibsen, pp. 65–80)
While Peter Stockmann was portrayed very negatively in the play, his character seems to be the sort that results in accomplishments as many politicians do. Unfortunately, he is proud—like his brother Tom—and his pride gets in the way of finding other solutions (like higher taxes) as he does not want to even listen to the problem in the first place.
Tom Stockmann
Tom Stockmann is the hero and protagonist of the play. He may be described as representing environmental protection advocates like Al Gore in the documentary An Inconvenient Truth (Guggenheim). Since he is also an member of the bureaucracy, he may also be representing whistle-blowers. While he is revealing something wrong in a particular project, he does not want to think that the problem was a result of wrong-doing but rather of ‘stupidity’ (Ibsen, 26). He had the mistaken view that his noble discovery would be commended and rewarded (Ibsen, 20–21)
As a hero, he is not a perfect man. In many respects, he is proud like his brother. He gloats at his own accomplishments and even relishes the possibility of people rallying behind him. He wrote after all that was to be submitted to the government. Upon the prodding of Hovstad and Billig, he wants the report published in the newspaper (Ibsen, 28–30) Tom Stockmann’s motives may not also be all that noble. Morten Kill suggests some kind of sibling rivalry between the two brothers. Tom’s not briefing Peter about his findings and to his plans to publish the report in a newspaper could trigger Peter’srage. Kill implies that Peter might get jealous, because his brother had one over him. (Ibsen, p. 23) Although Kill implies a weakness of some sort on the part of Peter, the problem well applies to Tom himself.
Like his brother, he is very adamant about getting his way. First, he has become very insistent in getting his report published as he has written it at the risk of everything (Ibsen, 57–61). Second, he calls for a town board meeting so he can reveal his report before even officially submitting it to his office, (Ibsen, 53–59).Third, he opts to stay in town and asks his children to mobilized some people they know so they can fight back (Ibsen, 98–100).
It would seem like that Tom Stockmann’s eventual problems would have had ma ny other possible solutions that would not necessarily compromised his principles. It seems to be more of pride and self-worth than genuine concern with the town and people (Ibsen, 28–30). He is very much like his brother only that he stands on the opposite and righteous side.
Hovstad
Hovstad is the character in the play that represents media and media editors and publishers. He is portrayed as a protagonist at first but later appeared as an antagonist, sharing the same view as Peter. It was he that encouraged Tom to have his report published—the root of all the problems as far the relationships of the characters are concerned. (Ibsen, 25–27).
He was portrayed as a man lacking in conviction. While he projects himself to be a radical, he could not take decisive action on publishing a book translation that Petra was working on. Apparently, he is worried about the risks which runs contrary to the image he has cultivated. (Ibsen, 50–52) In this sense, he may be described as a hypocrite. At the very best, he could be a man really ignorant of the real meaning of his beliefs, thus he is lacking conviction.
Hovstad’s true person was revealed when he approaches Tom for investment help after the latter was declared an enemy of the people. He was trying to take advantage of the situation to get Tom to ask his father-in-law for some investment or loan. (Ibsen, 93–96)
In the end, Hovstad is a businessman like any other. His chief concern is not really the truth but rather to earn profit. Like Peter Stockmann, he has defined good as the economic benefit of the people (himself included).Thus, he supports and agrees with Peter Stockmann.
Tom Stockmann’s “Trilemma”
If Tom Stockmann is to follow the guiding principle followed by the military—God, country, family, self (US Military)—then his final actions are wrong. Clearly, himself or his pride took precedence over his family, especially with regard to sacrificing their welfare in the end when he decided to stay in town (Ibsen, 97–99). For sure, he had alternative courses of actions. However, he is right in revealing the truth (God) to the people of his town (country). That done, he may have fulfilled his duty.
Whether Tom Stockmann should go beyond his duty of studying the problem and telling the truth may altogether be a different matter. It is incumbent for any person to save other people’s lives. However, the situation in the town has not reached that level so Tom Stockmann’s actions may be in appropriate. The towns’ folks rightly declares him a traitor when he threatened to go to other towns and have his report published there. After all, truth can be revealed in way other than creating a scandal.
It was wrong for the community to condemn Tom Stockmann. For one thing, as the mayor—Peter Stockmann has said—there was no problem (Ibsen, 65–80). So, if there was no need to silence Tom Stockmann up as there was no emergency in the place anyway. However, if Tom Stockmann was indeed trying to start some radical or revolutionary movements, he may need to be controlled for the common good of the people.
Such dissenters may need to be controlled especially when they are creating an emergency when there should be none. Society may tolerate dissenters but would try to limit his scope of influence because in he could disrupt the cohesion and peace in society. So certain ideas and views can be bad as it would damage the norms of society.
Meanwhile, media may be obliged to publish unpopular views provided it acts responsibly. It must always take into consideration the common good of the people and the consequences of such action. Publication of anything should lead to something good for the entire society rather than serve a few vested interests like making profit no matter what the consequence would be.
Works Cited
Guggenheim, Davis (Director) An Inconvenient Truth. 2006. (Motion Picture Documentary). Lawrence Bender Productions. DVD.
Ibsen, Henrik. An Enemy of the People. PDF, web. 18 Dec 2012. < >
US Military. “The Few, the Proud the Marines.” About.Com. 2012. Web. 20 Dec 2012. < >
