@article{ART001798082},
author={Kang, Hyeong-min},
title={Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People},
journal={Journal of Modern English Drama},
issn={1226-3397},
year={2013},
volume={26},
number={2},
pages={121-143}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kang, Hyeong-min
TI - Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People
JO - Journal of Modern English Drama
PY - 2013
VL - 26
IS - 2
PB - 한국현대영미드라마학회
SP - 121
EP - 143
SN - 1226-3397
AB - Henry David Thoreau shows his profound distrust of government in his essay, “Resistance to Civil Government.” For Thoreau, government--the majority--is neither morally superior to nor smarter than the individual but merely armed with superior physical strength over the individual. Therefore, government should not just cherish and respect the individual, who grants its power and authority, but also learn from the individual and the minority because the individual and the minority are smarter and wiser than government and the majority. If the individual sticks to truth and justice rather than conforming to the will of the majority, insists Thoreau, he or she can make a real difference in society.
In Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, the medical officer to the baths of a small Norwegian coastal town, resembles Thoreau’s awakened and determined individual in his seminal essay. As a scientist and civil servant, Dr. Stockmann tries to divulge to the public the truth that the town’s baths are contaminated with bacteria. In delivering this information, he faces the collective opposition of the town’s majority, which utilizes its power to isolate him from the public. Rather than being intimidated by the isolation forced on him by the townspeople, Dr. Stockmann realizes that he is the strongest person in the town because he can stand alone, grounded in his principles, opposing the corrupt and unjust majority. Finally, Dr. Stockmann emerges as the sole and true authority of the town, who will eventually supplant corruption.
KW - Henry David Thoreau;“Resistance to Civil Government;” Henrik Ibsen;An Enemy of the People;The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kang, Hyeong-min. (2013). Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Journal of Modern English Drama, 26(2), 121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min. 2013, "Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People", Journal of Modern English Drama, vol.26, no.2 pp.121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min "Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People" Journal of Modern English Drama 26.2 pp.121-143 (2013) : 121.
Kang, Hyeong-min. Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. 2013; 26(2), 121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min. "Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People" Journal of Modern English Drama 26, no.2 (2013) : 121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min. Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Journal of Modern English Drama, 26(2), 121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min. Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. Journal of Modern English Drama. 2013; 26(2) 121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min. Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People. 2013; 26(2), 121-143.
Kang, Hyeong-min. "Dr. Thomas Stockmann as Thoreauvian Spokesperson: The Supremacy of the Awakened Individual in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People" Journal of Modern English Drama 26, no.2 (2013) : 121-143.
