Setting of the Play

Setting of "An Enemy of the People"
    This play is set in a coastal town of Norway. The town has launched a very profitable project- the baths. The mayor, Mr. Peter Stockman actually believes that the baths will become the focus of municipal life. It has encouraged an influx of tourists, rise of property value and decline of unemployment.
    The doctor of these baths, Dr. Stockmann is always at loggerheads with other authorities in the town and discovers that the baths are infected with infusoria. These ‘animals’ are in hundreds of thousands and cause diseases to those who use the water. They are however invisible.
    The play traces the rivalry between the mayor on one hand and Dr. Stockmann on the other. It is very surprising to note that the two are brothers and their conflict is therefore extraordinary. Each of the two has some truths to struggle for; Dr Stockmann’s agenda is to fight for the ‘truth’ concerning pollution of the baths. Peter Stockmann, the mayor, a conservatist on the contrary fights against this truth, in order to protect another ‘truth’ –the growing economy and political stability.
    At the disposal of the protagonist and the antagonist is the independent press represented by the people’s messenger and the compact majority led by an agreeable citizen, Aslaksen. The play therefore follows the change of loyalty pledged by the press and the compact majority.
    Focusing more on Dr. Stockmann, it shows how one man’s bravery and self respect can survive overwhelming odds.
    The play, written in realistic ideals enjoys a rich use of flash back, foreshadows, contrast, symbolism, dialogue and everyday language to faithfully present the message. Its didactic nature enables both the extremely conservatists and the extremely liberal to learn something. It is, according to my view, a faithful – if not slightly exaggerated representation of the reality other than a judgment on people’s political and moral views.