As the play opens, Dr. Stockman has discovered that the water supply of the town is poisoned. Ironically, this town is renowned for the healing qualities of its springs and yet those springs are being polluted by a tannery beyond the town limits. They Didn t Dare. Their courage failed. They died because no one was brave enough to speak the truth.
Leaders speak truth.
They speak it from the heart. They speak it when it hurts. Political leadership that crafts public policy from opinion poles is not leadership. Corporate leadership that thumbs its nose at its laborers in order to satisfy its stockholders is not leadership. Religious leadership that preaches a feel-good theology while turning a back on the marginalized is not leadership.