![]() ![]() Wilder’s physician, without evidence for a physical disease, is left to either heal himself or leave his profession. ![]() The source of physician power resided not in empathy, but rather in a constitution ostensibly unique to the profession of medicine. ![]() But as will be developed, for Wilder’s generation, there was a dichotomy between physical and existential illnesses, especially for physicians. The angel confronts the physician, “Without your wound, where would your power be?” It would be reasonable to expect that a physician’s personal experience of illness would foster empathy. Wilder’s physician may be melancholic and his burden existential. Therefore, the authors have chosen to diagnose the newcomer physician with burnout and/or depression. Wilder does not explicitly reveal the reason. 3 It also might be that the patients waiting expect that the physician should heal himself. Arrowsmith, was said to overvalue knowledge at the expense of corruption, dehumanization, and even suicide. Sinclair Lewis’s novel Arrowsmith (1933) was said to have “inspired a generation of men to choose medicine as their profession.” 3 Unfortunately, the novel’s protagonist, Dr. Physicians of Wilder’s era were greatly esteemed by the public. What is the physician’s malady and why is he rebuffed? Since there are many others who not only have waited longer, but may have more serious disorders, it may be that the physician thinks his professional status should allow him to cut in line. ![]()
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