An Enemy of the People

Henrik Ibsen explores the relationship between resilience, self-respect, and truth throughout An Enemy of the People. The play presents Thomas Stockmann as the embodiment of self-respect and resilience—a man who lives by his ideals while others merely espouse ideals for the sake of personal advantage. Thomas remains determined to spread the truth despite the odds against him, even when it appears he will be exiled from his hometown for doing so. At first, other characters, especially Peter, Aslaksen, and Hovstad, support him and purport to care about the health of the town and its visitors before all other matters. As soon as the economic impact of fixing the Baths is mentioned, though, every other influential male character becomes hostile toward Thomas. Thomas displays both resilience and self-respect by not backing down, even when his entire community pressures him to do so. His determination wavers only slightly in Act V when he considers leaving town, but he ultimately decides that he cannot face his family unless he stays and fights. Many of the characters in An Enemy of the People display resilience in different ways from Thomas. It is clear that life in the unnamed small town is difficult, and that few economic opportunities existed before Thomas and Peter proposed the Baths.