An Enemy of the People: An Adaptation of the Play by Henrik Ibsen
46 pages • 1-hour read
Arthur MillerAn Enemy of the People: An Adaptation of the Play by Henrik Ibsen
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Background
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness.
Authorial Context: Arthur Miller and Social Commentary
Arthur Miller was one of the most significant American dramatists of the 20th century. His career developed during a period when American theater was closely tied to questions of national identity, economic instability, and political anxiety. Miller’s early success came with All My Sons (1947), a play that explores the consequences of wartime profiteering and the moral compromises made in pursuit of economic success. This work established Miller’s interest in the relationship between individual actions and broader social consequences, a theme that recurred throughout his career. His characters are often placed in situations where personal decisions carry collective implications, reflecting a concern with the ethical foundations of US society.
This focus continues in Death of a Salesman (1949), which examines the psychological and social pressures associated with the “American dream.” The protagonist, Willy Loman, embodies the struggle to achieve success within a system that equates worth with economic achievement and social recognition. Miller criticizes a culture that prioritizes appearances and material success over genuine human connection and self-understanding. The play’s emphasis on illusion and disillusionment highlights the gap between societal ideals and lived reality, reinforcing Miller’s broader engagement with the contradictions of American life.
Miller’s work is often associated with the tradition of social realism, which seeks to represent the conditions of everyday life while addressing systemic issues such as class, labor, and power. His plays are grounded in recognizable settings and situations. At the same time, his writing incorporates elements of tragedy, elevating ordinary individuals to a level of significance typically reserved for classical, aristocratic heroes.
In adapting Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, Miller continues his exploration of sociopolitical dynamics by engaging with questions of truth, authority, and public opinion. The play’s emphasis on a single individual challenging the majority reflects Miller’s ongoing interest in the tension between integrity and conformity. His broader body of work provides a context for understanding this adaptation, as it situates the narrative within a continuum of plays that examine the consequences of social and moral compromise.
Historical Context: The Red Scare and McCarthyism
The period known as the “Red Scare” refers to a time of heightened anxiety in the US regarding the potential spread of communism, particularly in the years following World War II. This climate of suspicion was shaped by the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, as well as by domestic concerns about ideological loyalty. Fear of infiltration by communist agents led to widespread investigations and the creation of systems designed to identify and eliminate perceived threats.
A central figure in this period was Joseph McCarthy, whose activities came to define what is now known as McCarthyism. As a senator, McCarthy claimed to possess information about communist infiltration within the US government, using these claims to justify a series of investigations and hearings. His approach relied on public accusation and the pressure of suspicion rather than on substantiated evidence. The House Un-American Activities Committee further institutionalized these practices. The Committee conducted hearings aimed at uncovering supposed communist influence in various sectors, including the entertainment industry. Individuals called before the committee were often required to testify about their own political affiliations as well as those of others, creating a system that encouraged cooperation through the identification of colleagues. Refusal to comply could result in blacklisting and imprisonment.
Arthur Miller’s personal experience with this political climate informs his engagement with the themes of An Enemy of the People. In 1956, Miller himself was called before the Committee and asked to provide the names of individuals involved in suspected communist activities. His refusal to do so resulted in a conviction for contempt of Congress, though this conviction was later overturned. This experience placed Miller in direct conflict with the mechanisms of McCarthyism, reinforcing his concerns about the relationship between individual conscience and institutional authority.
Miller had already addressed similar themes in The Crucible, which uses the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for the Red Scare. These concerns carry over into his adaptation of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, where the focus shifts to the conflict between truth and public opinion. Miller’s adaptation reflects his concern with the fragility of democratic principles in the face of fear and pressure. The Red Scare serves as a historical example of how quickly systems designed to protect freedom can be used to restrict it.
Literary Context: Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People
Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) wrote An Enemy of the People in 1882, during a period marked by significant social and political change in Europe. The play reflects Ibsen’s broader interest in the relationship between the individual and society, a theme that appears throughout his work. Writing in the context of a rapidly modernizing Norway, Ibsen engaged with issues such as public health, economic development, and the influence of majority opinion, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of individuals within a community.
The narrative centers on Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who discovers that the water supply of his town’s baths is contaminated and poses a threat to public health. His attempt to expose this problem brings him into conflict with local authorities, including his brother, who serves as the town’s mayor. The economic importance of the baths creates resistance to Dr. Stockmann’s findings, as acknowledging the contamination would require costly repairs and damage the town’s reputation. This conflict highlights the tension between truth and economic interest, as well as the challenges faced by individuals who challenge established systems.
Ibsen’s play was written in the aftermath of controversies surrounding his earlier work, particularly Ghosts, which had been criticized for its candid portrayal of the effects of sexually transmitted diseases. In response, Ibsen wrote An Enemy of the People as a more direct engagement with the concept of public opinion and its capacity to suppress dissent. The play examines how communities can prioritize collective interests over ethical considerations, creating conditions in which truth is marginalized.
The social critique of the play extends beyond specific issues to encompass broader questions about democracy and the role of the majority. Ibsen challenges the assumption that the majority opinion is inherently just, suggesting that it can be shaped by self-interest and misinformation. Dr. Stockmann’s assertion that “the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone” reflects a view of individual integrity that stands in opposition to collective conformity (Ibsen, Henrik. An Enemy of the People, Dover Thrift, 1999, p. 82). This perspective complicates conventional understandings of democratic governance, raising questions about the balance between individual rights and communal decision- making.
Arthur Miller’s decision to adapt An Enemy of the People for an American audience reflects both his admiration for Ibsen and his recognition of the play’s relevance to his own context. Miller’s adaptation involves adjustments to language, pacing, and emphasis, with the aim of aligning the play more closely with mid-20th-century American theatrical conventions. The decision to adapt rather than simply stage the original play also reflects Miller’s engagement with the tradition of dramatic reinterpretation. By reworking Ibsen’s text, he participated in an ongoing dialogue between playwrights across time and space, using the structure of an existing work to explore new contexts and concerns.
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