Use of Juxtaposition-Aspects of style

Juxtaposition as a style in Ibsen's 'An Enemy of the People'
This is a major style used by Henrik Ibsen. It denotes placing two or more items side by side to enhance comparison and contrast. Whereas comparison focuses on the similarities, contrast focuses on the differences.

Any critic who reads An Enemy of the People will definitely see how the two main characters are juxtaposed. Dr. Strockmann is depicted as a highly idealistic man with a relatively fixed mind. Peter stockmann on the other hand is more realistic and flexible. Peter focuses more on the financial implications and wishes to effect the   changes slowly and at a lower cost. Thomas, however, sees this as a compromise t o his moral obligation as a medical officer. He does not agree to Dr. Stiockmann’s proposal.
Even in the diversity of their opinion, close scrutiny shows some similarity between the two. The comparison comes in to show that both of them are not only decisive, but are also resolute. Either of them is firm in purpose and is not ready to bend their principles. They both seem to resound the phrase- No retreat No Surrender. This is more pronounced when Dr. Stockmann.  Even in the face of huge opposition declares himself the strongest man in the town, ready to recollect himself for yet another showdown.

Seeing how decisive, revolute and determined the two main characters are, the playwright sets us to yet another juxtaposition. We see how indecisive, irresolute and weak-willed some of the characters are. Hovstad,, Billings and Aslaksen are easily swayed from either side to the other. Having no ground to stand on, they first fall for Dr. Stockamnn, later for peter stockamnn and later still; we are surprised to see them return to Dr.Stockmann.

By placing those newspapermen side by side with the authorities, the playwright ridicules the notion of the independent press. He depicts a press that is controlled by either side of the warring factions and we therefore wonder how they can accomplish their duties.

As these are juxtaposed, the playwright prepares the audience for a higher level of juxtaposition. The fifth that is sleeping into the baths is juxtaposed and compared with vice, corruption and intellectual depravity. At same time the sources of these ugly conditions in life is compared to the compact majority, just as the source of the fifth seeping into the baths is molledal.

The playwright in juxtaposing all these features goes further than to just point out similarities and differences, to a point where one feature is made to represent another. It is upon this juxtaposition that he is able to bring out one of his most successful styles, symbolism.