Explain the Christian values and perspective displayed by the writer (IBsen) and the main characters. An Enemy of the People deals with the extent to which individual desires

Dr Stockmann is seen to have only good intentions for the people in his community and is willing to put the welfare of others in front of his own and his family, just as Jesus did.  

              Mrs. Stockmann. I don’t know anything about that; but God preserve us from the peace of mind we shall have, all the same, if you go on defying him! You will find yourself again without the means of subsistence, with no income to count upon. I should think we had had enough of that in the old days. Remember that, Thomas; think what that means.

             Dr. Stockmann. And this is what this slavery can bring upon a free, honorable man!

             Dr. Stockmann. I do not mind coming back twice if necessary. A matter of such great importance- the welfare of the town at stake- it is no time to shirk trouble.

However from his strong values we see a disrespectful tone in Dr Stockmann which contrasts with his previous Christian values. He refers to the baths as ‘whitened sepulchre’, and can come across very offensive as a sepulchre is the tomb in which the body of Christ was laid in. He also says, ‘ah devils take it’, which isn’t allowed to be said as a religious person and is seen as blasphemes language.

Never the less Dr Stockmann wants good for his community and believes that he is doing a right things for his people and will not let anything get in his way of stopping the truth from being ‘brought to light’. ‘Do you think you can silence me and stifle the truth’!

Mrs. Stockmann similarly has strong Christian morals as she does not want her children to listen to any comment that may seem blasphemes. Her Christian values are not shown in the play but it is clear she does not like blasphemes talk. We see this when Billing talk proudly of his thought on paganism, where as Mrs. Stockmann tries to resist the conversation especially in front of her boys.

                           Hovastad. Do you really think it can do the boys any harm to hear such things?

                         Mrs. Stockmann. I don’t know; but I don’t like it.

We also see many religious expressions made by her, such as ‘good heavens’, or Good lord help us’. She also makes reference to God when speaking to Dr. Stockmann., ‘I don’t know anything about it but God preserve us. Apart from Mrs. Stockmann and Dr Stockmann showing some religious reference we see Petra reveal that hard work is also presented as a good Christian value. ‘Yes – but that is good. One is so delightfully tired after it’.

In the end we see similarities in both Jesus and Dr. Stockman that they both struggle to get the truth out to people, and that both are seen as enemies although they are in fact people doing right for others. Dr Stockmann does stand alone in the end but he was the one in the right, and stood up to his believes, and in his mind, ‘the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone’.