The Saint Mary’s College theatre department presented Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” on Oct. 9, 10 and 12. The production, directed by communication studies, dance and theatre professor Laura Lucci, was based on Arthur Miller’s adaptation of the play. A three-act show with two 10-minute intermissions, the play addressed how free speech, democracy and doing what is right can be easily tarnished for personal gain.
The story follows Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who researches his Norwegian town’s water quality. His suspicions about the springs emerged when he observed visitors to the town having typhoid, skin and gastric issues. When the results determine that the water is bacteria-filled, he grows motivated to solve the problem immediately before a medical epidemic arises. However, his brother and the town’s corrupt mayor, Peter Stockmann, refuse to comply with this request.
The mayor states that bringing this information to the public would ruin the town’s publicity and the water plant reconstruction would cost 300,000 kroner and take two years to build. The local newspaper that initially supported Dr. Stockmann and wanted to spread his findings quickly revokes their interest when the mayor pressures them with the public and economic backlash they would receive if this implementation ensued. The mayor further uses his power to prevent Stockmann’s plans from coming to fruition by threatening to revoke his town board position, not allowing the doctor to hold a town hall meeting of his findings and threatening a public tax on the construction. Through all this, Thomas Stockmann stays resolute in his beliefs, claiming that the majority opinion is rarely the correct and just one in history. He even exclaims, “The majority is never right until it does right” and “Before many can know something, one must know it.” This defiance gives him the title of a revolutionary and “an enemy of the people” in the town.
Being shunned by all townspeople except for his family and friend Captain Hoster, Stockmann is evicted from his home, dropped by his patients, his daughter fired from her teaching position and his two young sons pulled from school. However, he insists on continuing his cause. The doctor does what is right at the cost of his wife, family and financial comfort he had known, but considers this steadfastness a strength. In the last line of the play, he proclaims that in order to pursue the truth, you must be strong, and the strong must be lonely. This bittersweet ending does not inform readers of what will happen next in Stockmann’s endeavors and family affairs, but it reveals his willingness to stand for the truth even if most are against him.
The Saint Mary’s actresses did an extraordinary job of displaying the tension and inner turmoil each character experienced. Two young guest actors playing Stockmann’s sons also brought a charm and touch of humor to the otherwise serious play. Humor in the rest of the play occurred occasionally, but was sparse due to the serious themes and conversations. The play's dialogue was filled with information necessary to understand the plot, but it was also difficult to follow at times. However, mock flyers of the play’s newspaper were given to audience members in between both intermissions that described the disputes from the townsfolks’ perspective. This provided an interactive experience and more context for the politics of the play. The costumes and sets also wove into the themes of the performance, with the mayor even wearing a red hat with white letters spelling “Ultra Norge”.
Overall, “An Enemy of the People” clearly displays how relentless self-interest can diminish one’s morality. It demonstrates how quickly those who promote important ideals, such as freedom of speech and the press, may retract them if threatened with personal loss. It is a timeless statement that doing the right thing may be lonely, but perseverance in avoiding submission could eventually result in success. Morality often may be the minority, but that does not mean it is wrong.
