Alagi Yorro Jallow.
“The water is poisoned! The entire water system is contaminated and utterly unfit for its intended use,” declares Thomas Stockmann, a medical doctor and accomplished scientist, to those around him. He is responsible for overseeing the health of the populace and the public baths, which are the cornerstone of his town’s economy. In the course of his duties, he makes a scientific discovery that the baths are perilously polluted and are spreading typhoid. And he announces this finding.
Fatoumatta: Dr. Thomas Stockmann, the protagonist in Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 play ‘An Enemy of the People’, serves as a powerful symbol of integrity and moral courage. Literature, often seen as a reflection of life, illuminates the path from the past to the present and back again. Drama, in particular, mirrors the complexities of human existence, portraying life as a stage where we all play our parts until the final curtain falls. Ibsen’s portrayal of Stockmann as a public enemy highlights the dramatic events of the past year, our misplaced reverence for false idols, and our tendency to vilify the wrong targets.
Henrik Ibsen’s ‘An Enemy of the People’ offers profound moral and political lessons through the character of Dr. Thomas Stockmann. The play challenges us to uphold integrity, prioritize public welfare, and recognize the complexities of truth and power in society. It is a timeless reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Life itself is a drama, a stage on which we all fret and strut until the light goes out on us. Ibsen’s Thomas Stockmann, public enemy number one, is used here in my celebration of the near end of a particularly dramatic year, our love for false gods, and our stoning of the wrong Satan.
I have skimmed through Gabriel Fallon’s ‘Prophecy in the Theatre’ (1956), his quote on drama as a member of human life – human thought and morality. I have scanned J.C. Kamerbeek’s ‘Prophecy and Tragedy’ (1965), his discussions on dramatic structure and tragic meaning. There is a sense in which the dramatic can be prophetic.
Fatoumatta: Dr. Stockmann, a medical doctor and accomplished scientist, discovers that the town’s water system is dangerously polluted, spreading typhoid. Despite his moral obligation to protect the community, he faces immense pressure to remain silent. The authorities, fearing economic repercussions, urge him to keep quiet to avoid public panic and financial loss.
The Stubborn Truth-Teller. Stockmann’s unwavering commitment to the truth, despite the personal and professional consequences, exemplifies the moral courage required to stand by one’s convictions. He insists on addressing the pollution, highlighting the ethical duty to act in the best interest of public health and safety. The system, however, supports only the “moderate.” Dr. Stockmann’s own brother, Peter Stockmann, the town’s mayor, leads the opposition against him. The press, influenced by financial interests, shuts out the doctor’s findings. Undeterred, Stockmann resolves to speak directly to the people, warning them of the impending danger.
At a town hall meeting, the mayor convinces the townspeople that Stockmann’s proposals are detrimental to the town’s economy. The crowd, swayed by the mayor’s arguments, declares Stockmann a public enemy. The consequences are severe: he loses his job, his daughter is dismissed from her teaching position, and his family faces social ostracism.
Despite the lack of reprieve, Stockmann insists that “the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.” This statement, though idealistic, underscores the harsh reality that those who stand alone often remain powerless. Power resides where people stand, and people stand where power is. As we approach the end of 2024, we remain divided politically, religiously, ethnically, and philosophically. The upcoming year promises further debates over a new constitution and early presidential campaigns. The diminishing judiciary and the rise of political tensions highlight the relevance of Ibsen’s play in our current socio-political landscape.
Fatoumatta: In Gambia, the political landscape is marked by the rise of populism, Islamic populism, and tribalism or identity politics. The vocal presence of self-proclaimed activists on social media has further polarized society. The uncertainty surrounding the draft constitution and the distraction of the term limit to the incumbent from contesting the 2026 presidential election, which is no longer a debate but a distraction since the constitution settles that debate, contribute to political instability as discussions continue over its potential impact on political class. The trial of despot Yahya Jammeh in a special tribunal is another significant event, reflecting the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in the country.
Fatoumatta: The play concludes without a reprieve for “the enemy of the people.” However, the man asserts that he is the strongest and that “the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.” I believe he is naive. That is not how the world operates. The one who stands alone remains isolated, lonely, and powerless. Power resides where people stand, and people stand where power is. This perhaps explains why Donald Trump is Time Magazine ‘Person of the Year.’
Fatoumatta: Henrik Ibsen’s ‘An Enemy of the People’ serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity, the dangers of majority rule, and the courage required in leadership. As we navigate the complexities of our own society, let us remember the lessons from Dr. Thomas Stockmann and strive to uphold the truth, even in the face of adversity. May we all stay alive and well.
