Henrik Ibsen's Expression of Beliefs in An Enemy of the People

Henrik Ibsen's Expression of Beliefs in An Enemy of the People

Henrik Ibsen, the controversial author of, An Enemy of the People, lived in an interesting point in history in which writing was a way of communicating your most radical ideas. An Enemy of the People is one of several Ibsen dramas that are sometimes referred to as problematic works because they are based on social problems and issues he has with the government. Examples of other controversial plays by Ibsen are The Wild Duck, A Doll's House, and Ghosts. Ibsen was a political pot-stirrer who thrived on pushing the envelope and bringing forth new ideas that were different for his time. Although he was popular with the audiences of his time, critics often bashed his work (Roshwald 1). His play comes out as very straightforward and demands very little from the audience, being very forthcoming in his ideas on government, the public, and how their interactions create his society. Due to the outright fact that Ibsen was very factual in his writing it is easy to skim over the in depth back round. Looking deeper, one can find a multi-layered plot with many social and political messages between the lines. Ibsen had a problem with particular parts of government, such as, tyranny of the majority, Parliamentary democracy, and the hypocrisy of the liberal press. An Enemy of the People is a realistic stage drama in five acts. It depicts ordinary life, as it is, not as a fantasy unlike other common literature. An Enemy of the People, by Henrik Ibsen, is a very complex and in depth message about government and society throughout his time and continues through today.

Ibsen had dealings with his own government and understood the connection between his government’s decisions and ho...

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... devastating decision but we can look back and understand that we were not doing what was right, we were once again doing what was “best.”

In conclusion, through his writings, Ibsen brought to light many issues with the governments of today. He dissected many layers of social issues in a very straightforward manner. Used his life experiences to expose people to what he believed was the best option for the people of his time. Brought many wrongdoings to the light and helped many figure out how to improve their current state as a citizen to tyranny of the majority. Ibsen was a very unique and belief driven writer who took many aspects of social life and very methodically pulled them apart creating a revolution of new ideas. Henrik Ibsen will be known for standing behind his beliefs and never backing away from any conformer just because he might disagree with him.