Henrik Ibsen, in his play “An Enemy of the People,” explores the idea that the majority of people are consistently mistaken. In other words, one must seek truth among the minority. These words hold significant wisdom, as the majority may lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to make optimal choices for themselves or their nations.
Henrik Ibsen wrote this play as a response to the Puritan people who oppressed his highly controversial play “Ghosts”. He expresses his outrage by exposing the true nature of the majority as a group of fools. Despite Dr. Stockmann’s intention to serve the town’s best interests, his brother and the Baths Committee conspired to hinder his crusade. Despite their corruption and greed, the majority chose to support Thomas Stockmann’s adversaries instead. Even his supposed friends and allies, whom he believed would support and uplift him, abandoned him without much influence from the mayor.
The people’s self-preservation outweighed their concern for the town or their friend. Through the “People’s Messenger,” his adversaries accused him of pursuing personal glory in his plan for the Baths. They betrayed him in their own self-interest. Ibsen exposes the ignorance of the majority by demonstrating their susceptibility to manipulation away from the truth. Dr. Stockmann, previously recognized as someone who genuinely prioritizes the well-being of the people and his country, is rejected by the very town he sought to rescue.
The majority of the compact sided with the mayor and the greedy town leaders instead of supporting one individual who stood up for justice and righteousness in the world. Despite recognizing his intentions were for the town’s benefit, they aligned themselves with those who wielded more power. They placed their trust in corrupt and regressive individuals, while excluding a patriot from their group. Even the few who acknowledged Dr. Stockmann’s correctness were unwilling to assist him, fearing to oppose the majority’s stance despite recognizing the expulsion of a virtuous man.
Ibsen demonstrates that even one’s closest allies can betray them when faced with enough opposition. He highlights human disloyalty by illustrating how the majority influences their actions. It is a chain reaction; the majority is swayed by the Officials, and the minority follows the majority. Only a solitary individual dares to defend what is just and true, but he is crushed by those whom he believed would support him. This portrayal reveals a harsh reality to anyone who witnesses or reads this timeless play: those who act in righteousness are never given their due rewards.
Despite facing opposition and hatred, Dr. Stockmann’s shining morals endure till the end. Amidst the darkness, his light grows stronger, illustrating that even in a society easily swayed by the majority, change is possible. Ibsen showcases this by depicting Dr. Stockmann’s establishment of a school. Hopefully, one day the minority will prevail over the majority, bringing about a better world. Such aspirations are but dreams.
