An Enemy of the People

Kenyan students are required to read three books during their secondary education: The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Shreds of Tenderness by John

Runga and An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen. They must know these books inside out as there are comprehension questions and compositions they must write about these books on the KCSE they take at the end of their Form IV (senior) year.

Several theatrical groups have developed plays based upon these set books and tour the country visiting schools. It is a win-win situation for everyone. The

students get a chance to see the play reminding them of plot of the book and perhaps enhancing their understanding. The theatrical company makes a good profit while having steady work.

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to go with our Form IV students to see

An Enemy of the People. It was written in 1862 by a Norwegian playwright Henry Ibsen. In a nutshell it is about a person who expresses an unpopular view and stands up against the local government. For these reasons he is labeled An Enemy of the People when he is actually trying to help the common man. Two famous lines from the play are: "...the strongest man in the world is the man who stands most alone." and "A minority may be right; a majority is always wrong."

Of course, the girls are always glad for an outing. They didn't have class that day. Those that had spending money bought lollipops and other treats to eat. While waiting for the play to begin and again afterwards they got to see and visit with other students, even boys from neighboring schools.

On the way back to school they had a special treat. We stopped at a kiosk near the school and bought white bread and sodas for lunch. As they never get these items at school, they were thrilled.