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Dec 16, 2009
علی
rated it: 
دشمن مردم، مانیفست ایبسن بر ریاکاری کاسبکارانه ی مردم و عوامفریبی سیاستمداران ست. دکتر استوکمان که در نظر دارد از طریق شورای شهر، به وضع آلودگی آب آشامیدنی به فاضل آب جلوگیری کند، با مخالفت کسانی از جمله برادرش به عنوان شهردار شهر روبرو می شود. او انتظار دارد همه با او در این پاک سازی موافق باشند. به زودی در می یابد که درآمد حاصله از چشمه های آب معدنی شهر برای شهردار و سیاستمداران مهم تر است چرا که اگر آلودگی آب از بین برود، درآمد شهر و شهرداری از چشمه های آب معدنی می خشکد. دکتر استوکمان آنجا بی
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Dec 17, 2009
Michael
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The truth that this book pointed out to me and by the way this truth has yet to be proven wrong to me is that "the people" are fucking idiots. Individual persons can be so brilliant you can't believe it. The larger the mass of "people" the fucking dumber they get. "The people" will believe anything they are told regardless of how absurd. It's sad but very true. Take the state of New Jersey. We are continualy fucked by our elected officials. We cry and complain
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Dec 06, 2009
Steve
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I'm going to need some time to digest this one. But here are some preliminary thoughts.
I guess this is an example of something I realized this year: that it is better to be completely ignorant of the details of an author's life in order to fully appreciate his or her work. Knowing that Dr. Stockmann is essentially the mouthpiece of Ibsen ruined it for me because it took away the complexity and tension I felt about his reliability. To illustrate: Dr. S yells a lot, is completely alone More...
I guess this is an example of something I realized this year: that it is better to be completely ignorant of the details of an author's life in order to fully appreciate his or her work. Knowing that Dr. Stockmann is essentially the mouthpiece of Ibsen ruined it for me because it took away the complexity and tension I felt about his reliability. To illustrate: Dr. S yells a lot, is completely alone More...
Aug 27, 2009
Lisa
rated it: 
I'm at once reminded of my college studies in epidemiology, where John Snow discovered the source of cholera being contaminated waters. I wanted to scream at the people to listen to the doctor. He knows what he's talking about.
And how true it is that just because the masses agree on something, doesn't make it right.............there are definitely more idiots in this world than intelligent people. Or maybe there are a few more intelligent people, but they choose to act like idio More...
And how true it is that just because the masses agree on something, doesn't make it right.............there are definitely more idiots in this world than intelligent people. Or maybe there are a few more intelligent people, but they choose to act like idio More...
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Aug 17, 2009
Mirjam
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A very 'up-to-date' book. So interesting to read that norms and values from the past still apply to our day to day lives. I got a litte bit depressed to read how one man that really want to do the right thing, stands so alone is his battle. At the end it is money, security and power that determines the way the majority of people act. I can only hope that there will be more and more enemies of the people, because it is actually these free-thinking, honoust and non-selfish people that want the bes
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Sep 22, 2009
Sandhya
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Ibsen's An Enemy of the People is more an idea than anything else. The play was the author's response to the public outcry that his previous work, Ghosts was met with. Ibsen was deeply pained and penned down this particular play that stressed on how the majority is more often than not, always wrong. The exchanges are interesting, but it's obvious that the author was writing it to make a point . I didn't enjoy it all that much as a play. It starts off well and then just meanders a lot. In Ibsen's
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Aug 01, 2011
Linda
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An excellent book for discussion groups. Which brother is "right"? The one who says the community baths (basically the only source of income for the city) is polluted and needs to be shut down to protect people's health or the other who says that there is not even hard evidence that the baths are a health risk and wants to keep them open? People in the city sway with whoever has the power at the moment. Does this play echo the tyranny of government over the people? Are compromises
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Aug 28, 2008
Sonya
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An Enemy of the People is a thought-provoking drama centered around the idea of truth. I was a little confused at first because the play throws you right into the middle of the characters lives, but the story soon gripped me, and I couldn't put it down. It is a vivid account of a man striving to uphold the truth at any cost without the power and influence on his side. He stands against those who hold the power in the town. Various other townspeople who originally back him each come to a cros
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Jan 22, 2012
Sowmya
rated it:
Again, its the beauty of this simple, yet realistic narration that captivated me.
Although its written 130 years ago, its a Timeless classic!
Twp gems from Dr Stockmann:
"These “majority truths” are like last year’s cured meat—like rancid, tainted ham; and they are the origin of the moral scurvy that is rampant in our communities." (Act 4)
"Let me tell you—that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone."
(Act 5)
Although its written 130 years ago, its a Timeless classic!
Twp gems from Dr Stockmann:
"These “majority truths” are like last year’s cured meat—like rancid, tainted ham; and they are the origin of the moral scurvy that is rampant in our communities." (Act 4)
"Let me tell you—that the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone."
(Act 5)
Aug 28, 2008
Rakitha
rated it:
I REALLY liked this play. Everything was great. I especially liked how the author made the doctor and the mayor brothers which built even more tention between them over the baths, becuase it was a brother to brother feud, like Mufasa and Scar in the Lion King (another example of a brother to brother feud). Making the doctor and the mayor brothers made the book more interesting because you would think that there would be brotherly love between them (and there was some) but they still didn't stop
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Aug 25, 2008
Ben
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Ibsen's An Enemy Of The People is an incredible play. Not only does it benefit from controversial and questions that aren't easy to answer, the play draws upon sheer passion and emotion that Ibsen felt after scathing reviews for an earlier work of his. The raw anger lashes out through the pages and can be felt, even over a century later. The social decline of main character Dr. Thomas Stockmann is disheartening and yet so gripping to read. The courageous and uncompromising end stands up to de
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Feb 26, 2011
Julia
rated it:
Eu comprei esse livro pela frase: “Um libelo contra a hipocrisia e a unanimidade”. Não pela parte da hipocrisia, todo mundo se revolta contra a hipocrisia, mesmo que hipocritamente.
Não é uma peça pessimista, que chafurda na lama, como foi dito. Pelo contrário, a solidariedade de Horster, a decisão de fazer a coisa certa do Dr. Stockmann, a decisão de guardar as pedras, tudo isso mostra esperança na humanidade.
Adorei o discurso de Stockmann, como ele diz que todas as fontes morais est More...
Não é uma peça pessimista, que chafurda na lama, como foi dito. Pelo contrário, a solidariedade de Horster, a decisão de fazer a coisa certa do Dr. Stockmann, a decisão de guardar as pedras, tudo isso mostra esperança na humanidade.
Adorei o discurso de Stockmann, como ele diz que todas as fontes morais est More...
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Nov 06, 2008
Maria
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This book is about a town that is modernizing and trying to stabilize their economy. They opened as business called the Baths, and it was where people, usually rich, went and took baths together. The main Docter of this tow, Dr. Stockmann, was informed that the Bath's water was dangerous to people. He tries to be the hero and tell the whole tow for them to be safe, but his brother, Mayor Stockmann stops him.
Mayor Stockmann, was a do everything right guy, he always looked out what was More...
Mayor Stockmann, was a do everything right guy, he always looked out what was More...
May 16, 2008
Michella
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The Crucible was a very touching book. As I was reading this novel I beagn to get teary eyed because of the events that occured throughout the novel. Many people's live's where in the hands of there friends, neighbors and associates. The Crucible aslo made me realize how much life today is similar to life back then because many people die because of what someone else say's, believe's also people die for many silly reasons. I would recommend this novel to those who be believe in witchcraft, those
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Jul 12, 2009
Rachel
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Although it says this play is by Ibsen, this version is all Miller. It's a retelling of Ibsen's play, but updated to reflect a more modern way of thinking. It's a fantastic play, and I plan to read Ibsen's version in the near future.
Oct 09, 2010
Manny
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If it came out today, everyone would immediately read it as referring to climate change and climate change sceptics. Doctor Stockmann has taken up a position where he's responsible for monitoring the baths in the little spa town he's just moved to. He analyses water samples and is shocked to find that they're a major health hazard: naively, he believes people are going to thank him for making this important discovery.
But he hasn't thought through the economic consequences. Fixing th More...
But he hasn't thought through the economic consequences. Fixing th More...
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Jun 08, 2010
Chrisgretchko
rated it:
Amazing how timeless this book is. The themes and human struggles of wealth vs the common good is very well portrayed. Easy read. Would reccommend it to anyone and want to see it as a play sometime
May 15, 2007
Legion
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The least understood of Ibsen's plays and a masterpiece. Dr. Stockmann has a lot of good things to say but he isn't Ibsen. Just one example: Ibsen did believe that the majority is always wrong; however, Ibsen was a feminist. Dr. Stockman is not. If he was he wouldn't so quickly pass over his daughter.
Ibsen wrote a "play" (ie, a written piece whose success in based on the public and is to be performed for them) against the majority. He had to make sure that Stockman could be d More...
Ibsen wrote a "play" (ie, a written piece whose success in based on the public and is to be performed for them) against the majority. He had to make sure that Stockman could be d More...
Aug 21, 2011
Katie
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Actually one of my favorite Ibsen plays. The best way to read this play, however, is the Arthur Miller translation. He gives it to you in a cleaner way unlike some other translations of, in particular, Ibsen's works.
May 31, 2010
Barry
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How flawed people attempt to stand up for their values. Explores the role of the dissident against the apparent interests of the many. What are the limits and limitations of democracy
Jan 25, 2012
Jacqueline
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Oh so relevant to today's politics! Just remember that "liberal" in his day means "conservative" in ours while you are reading and it seems to be taken from the headlines.
Apr 08, 2011
Ann
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It was the Norwegian, Ibsen himself who was the man of the title.
Hardback: Found in : Eleven Plays of Henrik Ibsen
paperback: Found in : Four Great Plays of Ibsen
Hardback: Found in : Eleven Plays of Henrik Ibsen
paperback: Found in : Four Great Plays of Ibsen
Jun 26, 2010
Emily
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Hovstad: "Under all their liberal talk they still idolize authority."
Dr. Stockmann: "We're the strongest people in the world...and the strong must learn to be lonely!"
Dr. Stockmann: "We're the strongest people in the world...and the strong must learn to be lonely!"
Apr 27, 2008
Katherine
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This play appealed to the idealist in me.
This line touches on one aspect of why I am registered independent: "A sausage-machine-- that's what a party's like! All the brains are ground up together and reduced to hash. . ." I leave out the last bit about "brainless, empty-headed numbskulls," though. I read Dr. Stockmann's character with a cautious awareness of how easily idealism can slip into judgmentalism.
My favorite line says, "Yes! Well-- y More...
This line touches on one aspect of why I am registered independent: "A sausage-machine-- that's what a party's like! All the brains are ground up together and reduced to hash. . ." I leave out the last bit about "brainless, empty-headed numbskulls," though. I read Dr. Stockmann's character with a cautious awareness of how easily idealism can slip into judgmentalism.
My favorite line says, "Yes! Well-- y More...
Feb 18, 2009
Great political drama. Was translated by Arthur Miller who felt the themes resonated during 50's era McCarthyism. Still relevant today.
Dec 26, 2010
Jared
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Almost as bad as A Doll's House. Ibsen has a gift for taking what might have been an interesting story and making all the people in it sound like they're stuffed. Even when they're angry they sound stuffed.
Apr 22, 2011
Wendy
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IB almost done with world literature reading! This one was interesting...not the typical Ibsen. I didn't love the ending, but it worked.
Mar 08, 2011
Laura
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Working on this book with high school juniors. It's much too young for them. Equivalent to Doll House for ninth graders.
Mar 24, 2010
Caitlin
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Is going to the play the same as reading it? I am going with yes. This story is as relevant today as in 1882. Frightening.
May 03, 2009
Loved it tremendously. The play was amazing. I wonder if anywhere in the world its still being produced.
