An Enemy of the People

By Henrik Ibsen

Book Overview

Henrik Ibsen's powerful drama, "An Enemy of the People," remains a timeless exploration of ethics and social responsibility. This classic Norwegian play delves into the complexities of whistleblowing and the consequences of challenging established power structures.

At its heart, "An Enemy of the People" is a compelling social critique, dissecting the tensions between individual conscience and community interests. Ibsen masterfully portrays the struggle of an individual facing ostracism for exposing a dangerous truth. This meticulously prepared print edition preserves the integrity of Ibsen's original work, allowing readers to grapple with enduring questions about pollution, public health, and the cost of integrity. Its themes resonate across generations, making it a vital read for anyone interested in the intersection of literature and social issues. A cornerstone of European drama, "An Enemy of the People" continues to spark debate and inspire critical thinking.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102306457X
• ISBN13: 9781023064576
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 82 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

great play

This adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play is great. Probably relevent at any time in history, it seems to directly corrolate with current situations world wide.

Who owns the truth

Miller's version of Ibsen's famous play sets it in language and circumstances that one can connect with better than the original - which was full of allusions to things and times which are arcane - but the original's power still remains and is enhanced by Miller. The theme comes up in the newspaper every month - a community threatened by pollution, a media crusading against power - until the power threatens to pull the plug on the media - "science" being portrayed as both the question and the answer - and friends, family and enemies in couplings and cabals to work against each other "for the common good". Read it with friends and see what it does to friendships.

Truth vs. Right

Ibsen's play, An Enemy of the People is a classic example of the decision that must be made between telling the truth and doing what is right. Dr. Stockmann faces an extreme moral delema. It really made you wonder; what would I do in this situation? Would you be able to trade everything (your position, money, house, and reputation) just to be able to tell the truth? Even though by not letting it out you could become very popluar. This situation is applicable to many situations in real life ranging from events happening at a high school to things in the government. Even though it was written 150 years ago, Ibsen's characters' problems are still reflected all over the world, making this play a must read for everyone.

Great Play but the Introduction is Lacking

This powerful play is my first experience reading Henrik Ibsen and WOW! The conflict is timeless and the leading character Dr. Stockmann reminded me of Sir Thomas More.After I read the play I did not want to put the book down and wanted more. I flipped to the front of my edition translated by Christpher Hampton and read his nihilistic introduction. Mr. Hampton missed the whole point and somehow thought Dr. Stockman really WAS the "enemy of the people". Hampton sounded like one of the townspeople from the mob in Act Four when he wrote:"This is to simplify Ibsen's intent; because however sympathetic Ibsen feels towards Dr Stockmann's cause, he is too subtle and profound a dramatist not to know that there are few figures more infuriating than the man who is always right. Stockmann's sincerity, naivety and courage co-exist with an innocent vanity, an inability to compromise and an indifference to the havoc caused in the lives of his family and friends, as well as his own, by his dogged pursuit of principle."Hampton's edition is a nice size with print that is easy to read. I loved the story and the characters and I highly recommend it to all. I have lived the experience and have been "the enemy" so I understood Dr. Stockmann but I learned from Christopher Hampton and my own experience not everyone will "get it."

Fresh and vital new version of an Ibsen classic.

I saw the play in London at Royal National Theatre and bought the script. (By the way, the same RNT production, directed by Trevor Nunn with sets by John Napier -- the same director/design team for Les Miserables -- with Ian McKellen in the lead role is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, July 14 to Sept 6, 1998. Hampton has created a new version not a literal translation of the late 19th-century classic play -- as Arthur Miller did some years ago. And it works perfectly as a great theatre piece should. The language feels modern and natural which makes the subject matter all the more vital -- particularly as our culture deals with the same environmental issues; and in many ways the same types of reactions from people in authority, including the engineering of mass hysteria and fear. The critic for London's News of the World said of the RNT production, "a tale of corruption, greed and the responsibility of the press...as up to date as this morning's headlines." I agree. See the play, get the script.