tion>Henrik Ibsen
AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
A play in five acts
Published by
Books
- Advanced Digital Solutions & High-Quality eBook Formatting -
2017 OK Publishing
ISBN 978-80-272-3576-6
Table of Contents
Dramatis Personae
Act I
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V
Dramatis Personae
Dr Thomas Stockmann, Medical Officer of the Municipal Baths.
Mrs. Stockmann, his wife.
Petra [their daughter] a teacher.
Ejlif & Morten [their sons, aged 13 and 10 respectively].
Peter Stockmann [the Doctor’s elder brother], Mayor of the
Town and Chief Constable, Chairman of the Baths’ Committee, etc.
Morten Kiil, a tanner [Mrs. Stockmann’s adoptive father].
Hovstad, editor of the “People’s Messenger.”
Billing, sub-editor.
Captain Horster.
Aslaksen, a printer.
Men of various conditions and occupations, a few women, and a troop of schoolboys — the audience at a public meeting.
The action takes place in a coastal town in southern Norway,
Act I
[SCENE.— DR. STOCKMANN’S sitting-room. It is evening. The room is plainly but neatly appointed and furnished. In the right-hand wall are two doors; the farther leads out to the hall, the nearer to the doctor’s study. In the left-hand wall, opposite the door leading to the hall, is a door leading to the other rooms occupied by the family. In the middle of the same wall stands the stove, and, further forward, a couch with a looking-glass hanging over it and an oval table in front of it. On the table, a lighted lamp, with a lampshade. At the back of the room, an open door leads to the dining-room. BILLING is seen sitting at the dining table, on which a lamp is burning. He has a napkin tucked under his chin, and MRS. STOCKMANN is standing by the table handing him a large plate-full of roast beef. The other places at the table are empty, and the table somewhat in disorder, evidently a meal having recently been finished.]
Mrs Stockmann. You see, if you come an hour late, Mr. Billing, you have to put up with cold meat.
Billing [as he eats]. It is uncommonly good, thank you — remarkably good.
Mrs Stockmann. My husband makes such a point of having his meals punctually, you know.
Billing. That doesn’t affect me a bit. Indeed, I almost think I enjoy a meal all the better when I can sit down and eat all by myself, and undisturbed.
Mrs Stockmann. Oh well, as long as you are enjoying it —. [Turns to the hall door, listening.] I expect that is Mr. Hovstad coming too.
Billing. Very likely.
[PETER STOCKMANN comes in. He wears an overcoat and his official hat, and carries a stick.]
Peter Stockmann. Good evening, Katherine.
Mrs Stockmann [coming forward into the sitting-room]. Ah, good evening — is it you? How good of you to come up and see us!
Peter Stockmann. I happened to be passing, and so —[looks into the dining-room]. But you have company with you, I see.
Mrs Stockmann [a little embarrassed]. Oh, no — it was quite by chance he came in. [Hurriedly.] Won’t you come in and have something, too?
Peter Stockmann. I! No, thank you. Good gracious — hot meat at night! Not with my digestion,
Mrs Stockmann. Oh, but just once in a way —
Peter Stockmann. No, no, my dear lady; I stick to my tea and bread and butter. It is much more wholesome in the long run — and a little more economical, too.
Mrs Stockmann [smiling]. Now you mustn’t think that Thomas and I are spendthrifts.
Peter Stockmann. Not you, my dear; I would never think that of you. [Points to the Doctor’s study.] Is he not at home?
Mrs Stockmann. No, he went out for a little turn after supper — he and the boys.
Peter Stockmann. I doubt if that is a wise thing to do. [Listens.] I fancy I hear him coming now.
Mrs Stockmann. No, I don’t think it is he. [A knock is heard at the door.] Come in! [HOVSTAD comes in from the hall.] Oh, it is you, Mr. Hovstad!
Hovstad. Yes, I hope you will forgive me, but I was delayed at the printers. Good evening, Mr. Mayor.
Peter Stockmann [bowing a little distantly]. Good evening. You have come on business, no doubt.
Hovstad. Partly. It’s about an article for the paper.
Peter Stockmann. So I imagined. I hear my brother has become a prolific contributor to the “People’s Messenger.”
Hovstad. Yes, he is good enough to write in the “People’s Messenger” when he has any home truths to tell.
Mrs Stockmann [to HOVSTAD]. But won’t you —? [Points to the dining-room.]
Peter Stockmann. Quite so, quite so. I don’t blame him in the least, as a writer, for addressing himself to the quarters where he will find the readiest sympathy. And, besides that, I personally have no reason to bear any ill will to your paper, Mr. Hovstad.
Hovstad. I quite agree with you.
Peter Stockmann. Taking one thing with another, there is an excellent spirit of toleration in the town — an admirable municipal spirit. And it all springs from the fact of our having a great common interest
