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Analysis Of Suffering In The Film 'Next Day'

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“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life. We will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die” (Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of hospice movement). This quote by Dame Cicely Saunders is in regards to caring for patients in hospice, however, it describes how suffering can be eased because everyone deserves to live a full and peaceful life. Each individual person experiences different forms of suffering throughout their life, whether it be because of an illness or a life situation. This paper will analyze the suffering experienced by Dr. Jack McKee (The Doctor) and the narrator from the poem “Next Day”. The film The Doctor tells the dramatized story of Dr. Jack McKee, …show more content…

There are many moments where he feels irritated with being the patient and lacking control over his own treatment. This can be seen through his frustration with having to share a room and having to sit in a waiting room to be seen by the doctor. Throughout the film he attempted to use his role as a physician to give him higher importance over other patients; demanding shorter waiting times, a better hospital room that is not shared, and immediate attention when he needs it. In addition, because of his condition he was unable to continue to perform surgery while receiving treatment. He attempted to continue meeting with patients, however, it was obvious that he was not healthy enough to treat patients and perform surgery. As mentioned before, Dr. McKee was viewed by others as a successful surgeon and brilliant. Without the ability to perform surgery, he no longer held the same status. For example, in one scene he continued to refuse to be wheeled around in a wheelchair because he did not want to make the public transition from brilliant physician to helpless patient. Later he is seen being pushed in a wheelchair when a familiar doctor approaches him and questions how he is doing. Dr. McKee appears embarrassed as he tries to quickly end the conversation because it was …show more content…

Jack McKee in the film The Doctor and the narrator from “Next Day” by Randall Jarrell, there is a main similarity and difference. Both characters have lived a shallow life which helped to deepen their sorrow. In The Doctor, Jack’s shallow life leaves him feeling alone when he is diagnosed with cancer. He is unable to take comfort in his wife’s presence and requires nothing of her during his treatment. In “Next Day”, the narrator’s shallow life is the primary cause of her suffering. As she looks back on her life she is troubled by what she has become. Both characters are seen by others as having a full and complete life, however, they are facing the internal battle of not truly living but instead only focusing on things that are important only on the surface. The main difference between the characters is Dr. Jack McKee learns how to live a full life because of his suffering while the narrator in “Next Day” is left feeling confused about her solitary life. In The Doctor, Jack’s shallow relationship with his wife changes and his approach to his career changes. For example, in a scene towards the end of the film Dr. McKee is chasing his wife around the house begging her to yell at him. He wants to make a deeper connection with her and let her know that he is completely there for her. In addition, he takes a patient centered approach to his career as a physician compared to the no contact approach he originally used. In contrast,

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