Dilemma in Bernard Shaw's the doctor's dilemma

Literature is broadly defined as any written or spoken material, but the term most often refers to creative works (Gale: 2001). Literature includes poetry, drama, fiction, and many kinds of non-fictional writing. Drama is a literary composition, usually in dialogue form, that centers on the actions of characters (Vtheatre.net: 2005). The writer chooses one of Bernard Shaw’s plays because of Shaw’s reputation as a great playwright. His plays are related to real life situations and through the writing of his plays he brings up subjects that are normally taboo and he causes people to have discussions about them. Examples are prostitution in Mrs. Warren’s Profession and religious intolerance in The Devil’s Disciple. His views, which are expressed through his plays, have influenced many people throughout the world. In conducting this thesis, the writer uses literary analysis to support and clarify her analysis and findings. The writer analyses the descriptions, actions and dialogues of the characters, the location and time of the setting of the play and the conflicts that shape the play. These conflicts are either external conflicts, conflicts between characters, or internal conflicts, conflicts between a character with his/ her feelings or beliefs. The external conflicts are specific to the play, and relate to the views and personalities of the characters. The internal conflicts are not too specific to the play, but relate to doctors in general. The writer looks at the internal conflicts of Ridgeon and how they relate to doctors in general and sources of these conflicts, such as the Hippocratic Oath which is a guide for ethics in the medical profession that is taken by all doctors. The writer concludes that the dilemma in “The Doctor’s Dilemma” is the decision that Ridgeon was forced to make, as to which of the two patients, Blenkinsop and Dubedat he should treat. His decision of saving Blenkinsop reveals his egoism that he is in love with Louis Dubedat’s wife, Jennifer. In the conclusion the writer also relates to the world today and gives views on what must be done about it. The writer has learnt about the role of the doctor in society and that it is more than just the job of healing people. The writer has also learnt more about human nature, such as how people handle conflicts, how people interact with people with different views from their own and how they deal with their own feelings