Song of Myself: Blessedly Normal

Do I contradict myself?

Very well then I contradict myself,

(I am large, I contain multitudes.)

Walt Whitman “Song of Myself”

This week on Uncomfortable Conversations, Josh Szeps interviews iconic Briton Stephen Fry, well worth the listen, Stephen mentions his “Moab is my Washpot” (1997) autobiography of the first 20 years of his life.

Stephen talks about wanting to be “blessedly normal”. We’ve all been here, right. People that just seem to always have it together. Always know what to say, treat people kindly, well, just normal.

Stephen continues positing about our divided self. What does it mean to be “blessedly normal”. Powerful impulses to be part of a tribe or standing alone and be different. We’ve all seen and shared this Ted Talk where a shirtless person initially seems like the “lone nut” and within a few minutes transforms into a leader. Is this “How to Start a Movement”?

I agree with Stephen, we wonder “is it the master builder or the public enemy?”

Stephen then mentions an 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, “An Enemy of the People”.

"An Enemy of the People" tells the story of Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer in a small Norwegian coastal town. Dr. Stockmann discovers that the town's new public baths, which are crucial to the local economy, are contaminated with dangerous bacteria. He initially receives support from the local newspaper and townspeople when he tries to publicize his findings. However, the situation quickly changes when the economic implications of his discovery become apparent. Ibsen plays out these dichotomies of “beautifully normal”.

Individual vs. Society: Dr. Stockmann faces opposition from the town's authorities and citizens when they realize fixing the problem would be costly and potentially ruin the town's reputation.

Truth vs. Economic Interests: the tension that exists between public health and financial concerns.

Idealism vs. Pragmatism: Dr. Stockmann's idealistic pursuit of truth clashes with the pragmatic approach of his brother, the mayor, Christian Cornelius Paus.

Dr. Stockmann evolves from a respected citizen to being labeled "an enemy of the people" as he refuses to compromise his principles. His family, particularly his wife Katherine and daughter Petra, stand by him despite facing social and economic repercussions.

Remember, Isben is writing in 1882, 142 years before the 2024 American Presidential election. 138 years before Brexit. Isben is already exploring …

• The corruption of majority rule
• The importance of individual integrity
• The conflict between scientific truth and political expediency
• The power of the press and public opinion

The play reaches its climax during a town meeting where Dr. Stockmann attempts to present his findings but instead delivers a passionate speech criticizing the "tyranny of the majority." This leads to him being officially declared an enemy of the people.

In the final act, despite facing ostracism and financial ruin, Dr. Stockmann resolves to stay in the town and fight for what he believes is right. The play concludes with his famous declaration that

the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.

As Stephen expresses this as a "... a powerful and [a] terrible way to end a play and to say to an audience because it's a communal act theater. It's a brilliant moment because you think it's a tragic thing to say, but it's also defiant….”

He stands strongest, who stands most alone. Can that be true? Surely not, but he's writing the Ibsen plays about a poisonous society, a society that turns on an honest person with, and yet we also believe that we only can be strong when we are together…

No one challenges it. Of course we do. We are together.

We're stronger. But how can they both be true? And yet within one, they are both true.

How sweet it is for all of us to be "blessedly normal"!?

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