An Enemy of the People

Why it’s on the list: Ibsen’s play about a doctor who finds his town’s prized baths are contaminated, expects thanks, and is turned on by the press, the businessmen, his brother the mayor and finally a public meeting. The standard text on the cost of telling an inconvenient truth — and an uncomfortable study of how fast a truth-teller can curdle into contempt for his neighbours.

Where I heard about it

• Dissident Teacher — on A Library to Build Great Americans, a 468-title curriculum from the Substack writer (December 2025), listed under Drama in the Ages 13–99+ band; the only Ibsen entry in the adult band.

Connections

• A Library to Build Great Americans — the list this came from.
• Henrik Ibsen — the playwright.
• Free Speech — the play’s subject, examined from both ends.
• Democracy — and the play’s hardest question about majorities.