Write a Composition on how ironic some situations appear in the play.

Ironic Instances in An Enemy of the People by Henrik. Ibsen

 Introduction

Most of the story is dealing with irony

Accept general or contextualized introduction

  • Dr. Thomas Stockmann turns against his brother the Mayor after getting employed by him.

The effect of this is that the Doctor comes out as a principled person.
  • The Mayor turns against his brother and sacks him. This shows his selfish nature. He will stop at nothing even if it means sacking his brother

  • Hovstad and Aslaksen run away from Dr. Stockmann after promising to print his article. Hovstad had earlier promised to stand by him. They come back to him asking if they could put the people’s messenger at his disposal after they had already betrayed him. The society Dr. Thomas is helping through research turns against him. They brand him an enemy. The society is gullible, hypocritical, unappreciative
  • It is ironic that Peter stockman who is a liar, corrupt and a propagandist manages to buy the support of the public. This portrays the society as ignorant and gullible
  • The press that is supposed to tell the truth supports lies. They want their business to thrive (selfish reason) and they fear the authorities.
  • Accept instances of dramatic irony, for example when the mayor is hidden in the printing room by Aslaksen and Hovstad when the doctor comes Dr. Stockmann does not know this yet the readers are aware. It is only when he sees the mayor’s hat and walking stick that the doctor realizes that the mayor is in the building.
  • Any other valid instance eg. Morten Kiil buys shares from the bath after learning they are contaminated. He also disinherits Katherine and the children
  • Instances should be tied to effect

0 comments

Popular Posts