An Enemy of the People Essay PDF

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Professor: Conrad
Section: THEATER, POL & SOC...

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The Distortion of Democracy Democracy is one of the most common forms of government in the modern world today and there are reasons for its wide usage. In the most ideal form of democracy, there is a goal of fundamental rights, in which every person has a right to be informed and partake in the decisions of his or her government (Dahl). Henry Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People takes place in a town where the citizens’ best interests are valued and placed above everything else, even if there is a possibility that the citizens themselves may be harmed. The strong emphasis on the idea of “majority rule” acts as the foundation of the play and gives an illusion that the working class is in power. This concept is also an influential aspect of democracy, as it allows more than half of a group to have power to make decisions over the remainder of the group, otherwise known as the “minority” (“Majority rule”). Although it appears that public opinion is what is valued, the ruling class’ personal gains and motives are really the primary factors controlling the town. Given that democracy can often be viewed as a perfect form of government, An Enemy of the People serves as a critique of it by revealing the ways democracy can be distorted. This distortion further highlights how even the most widely used political system can still be idealistic and difficult to implement in reality. In the play, education plays a role in further dividing the social classes established in the town. Since democracy is built on the people being able to participate in the makings of public policy and legislature, education is crucial in ensuring that the people make informed decisions (Dahl). However, the education aspect of democracy has been twisted in the play. This is evident when Petra admits that “there is so much falsehood both at home and at school… at school we have to stand and tell lies to the children” (Ibsen 16). There is censorship of information in the school which hinders the people’s ability to learn about point of views opposing what the leaders

of the town believe. The lack of education begins at a young age in this town. Children are exposed to only what Petra’s superiors deem is important, which can lead to a significant level of ignorance that is carried into adulthood. Without proper access to information, the adult citizens are incapable of making knowledgeable choices regarding the management of their own town. The suppression of education is further perpetuated by the ruling class, who is simultaneously the wealthier among the characters in the play. Inequality of resources is a large component contributing to the lack of education. If only the rich can afford to be properly educated, then they will be able to obtain more influential jobs and therefore possess more influence over the governing of the town. This idea is supported by Dr. Stockmann’s background alone – he is originally much poorer and lives outside of the town (7). If not for the education he received, Dr. Stockmann would not have been able to obtain his position as head of the baths or have any say in baths to begin with. Democracy relies on an educated population, and the inability to overcome an uneducated population shows one of the many ways that democracy is distorted in An Enemy of the People. Despite possessing the traditional aspects of a democracy, the government in the play manages to silence any opposition. Fundamental right is one of the most important features of the ideal version of democracy (Dahl). However, An Enemy of the People shows just how easy it is to take away the rights and freedoms given to the people when there is a larger political pressure acting instead of the people collectively. After finding out the state of the baths, Dr. Stockmann wants to publish an article about it but is effectively shut down by Aslaksen who “could not lend my press for any such purpose, Doctor. It would be flying in the face of public opinion. You will not get it printed anywhere in the town” (Ibsen 68). This form of information suppression strips away Dr. Stockmann’s individual rights, specifically his freedom of the press.

Not only does this play into the lack of education factor, it also emphasizes how the media caters to only the appeals of the authorities of this town because of association with Peter, the mayor. Although the newspaper-government alliance is dependent on the working class’ well-being, it does not erase the fact that rights are being infringed upon. In addition to freedom of the press being violated, freedom of speech is also disregarded. The town gathers to hear the discussion about the baths, but Peter “propose[s] that the meeting should not permit the Medical Officer either to read or to comment on his proposed lecture” (72). By doing this, Dr. Stockmann is unable to partake in the affairs of the town’s government. The same political pressures that prevents Dr. Stockmann from sharing information about the baths through the news also withholds his ability to speak about it publicly too. Democracy is more than a series of processes created to run a government. It is built upon the belief that each individual has rights, and the capability for a higher power to take that away serves as another reminder of democracy’s distortion. The power that some of the characters in the play hold is fueled by personal economic interests. Economics and politics are closely intertwined with one another, but “extensive government intervention in the economy… result[s] in the widespread corruption of government officials” (Dahl). This corruption is easily seen throughout An Enemy of the People with regards to characters like Peter and Aslaksen. In fact, it is even seen with more minor characters such as Billing and Hovstad who asks, “Do you know anyone else who will advance the money for our paper and printing bill?” (Ibsen 52). There is a perversion of how public opinion is formed in the town. The people in power have the means to persuade a less-educated majority, but decisions are being made and information is twisted based on personal financial gains and the maintenance of reputation and positions. They are taking advantage of a less-educated majority, who are less

educated due to financially influenced social classes to begin with and using that power over the majority for their own benefit. There is a fine line between making major decisions for the betterment of the people and making these decisions to only better one’s own status, and this is a line that is often crossed in the play. These economic interests reveal yet another way democracy can be distorted to satisfy one’s personal agenda. In its purest form, democracy holds merit. It is meant for the people to govern and to have equal say in their own population. However, Henry Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People reveals the methods in which democracy can be distorted. While theoretically ideal, democracy does not come without faults and, given the many different factors that go into maintaining a government, it can be difficult to carry out in execution. Despite those faults though, democracy takes the people collectively into account foremost and is why it serves as one of the most widespread political system today.

Works Cited Dahl, Robert A. “Democracy.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 19 Feb. 2020, www.britannica.com/topic/democracy/Democratic-institutions. Accessed 28 Sep. 2020. Ibsen, Henrik. An Enemy of the People. Global Grey Ebooks, 2018, Global Grey ebooks, www.globalgreyebooks.com/enemy-of-the-people-ebook.html. “Majority rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/majority%20rule. Accessed 28 Sep. 2020....