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The Doctor and The Doctors Wife

Disrespect of power
Masculunity
I have been presented an extract from the Doctor and the doctors wife, by Ernest Hemingway.
The themes of disrespect of power and masculinity are illustrated effectively through dialogue,
short sentences and various literacy devices. In this short story, the Doctor asks Native Indians to
cut some logs which were washed up by a steamer called Magic. This lead to an argument
between the Doctor and Dick Tabeshaw.
idyll
The theme of disrespect of power can be seen throughout the short story. It can be seen that
throughout the story the title of Doctor is stripped away from him and he is referred to as other
names. When the Indians are present the Doctor is ironically referred to by the narrator as Nicks
father, instead of Doctor. The reference of the doctor as Nicks father, is very ironic as a doctor in
a rural or village like context may be very glorified or may be seen as a important person because
a doctors profession is to save lives and he might have a title of sir or mr.. However, referring to
him as Nicks father, suggests to us that Nick is of more importance than the doctor to the native
people. Due to this, we can infer that the natives do not respect him by his profession or by his title
which infers that he is off little or no importance to the natives.
Moreover, the doctor is working in a idyll setting as his house is surrounded by reservation camps
and a jungle.
In addition, the Doctors wife is a Christian Scientist who doesnt believe in the use of medicine for
curing of diseases. Hemingway cleverly uses the short sentence she was a Christian Scientist,.
This short sentence embedded between two long sentences emphasises that she doesnt believe
in her husbands profession. The fact that this phrase is very short illustrates the lack of
explanation and words that the doctors wife might have towards or for the doctor. Moreover, she
takes great interest in Christian Science and has Christian Scientist books next to her such as the
Bible, Science and Health and her Quarterly. However, she doesnt open and unwrap the doctors
medical journals which shows that she is no interest in her husbands profession.
One of the core themes of this short story is masculinity. Masculinity is associated with selfassertion. Dick asserts his presence and authority over his workmen. The doctor also asserts a
sense of masculinity to himself and the people around him. When the doctor arrives home he loads
and cleans his shotgun. Hemingway describes, He pushed the shells back in against the spring of
the magazine.He sat with the gun on his knees. He was very fond of it, in the middle of the
paragraph. This description stands out from the rest of the story which is in the form of short
dialogue. Later, he goes with his son hunting to express his masculinity.

-dick vs Doctor.
interactions >importance of pride
-gun is seen as symbol of manhood, hunting
his son also chooses to go with his father over his mother
slams the door>agressive male

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