Cancer Ward The Old Doctor Essay -- essays research papers

Cancer Ward The Old DoctorIn this chapter Ludmila goes to visit her former mentor Dr. Oreshchenkov. He lives in a nice home and it is filled with things of the past and who he is. Ludmila has realized that she has cancer. However, she is not willing to except her own intuition and goes to Oreshchenkov to besure and even to be told that its nothing serious. While she is there she has a small sense of release and calm. Later the two of them land in to a discussion over the need for the family- doctor. These scenes have deeper meaning than just the literal sense. This chapter can be interpreted by utilize Dantes Four Levels of Interpretation. The first level of interpretation isthe literal. This level focuses on what literally happened in the story. The second level of interpretation is the allegorical. This level is implicated with the meaning hidden beneath the words in the literal sense. It tells of the nature of man and what we do in certain situations. The third level is the m oral level. It is the content behind the story. This level teaches us a lesson that we should use in our lives. The fourth and final level is the anagogical level. This is the level that is the sense beyond. It is not only literally true but shows a truth of greater glory and truth of the spirit. Dante used the example...in the departure of the people of Israel from Egypt, Judea was made holy and free. 7 For even though the literal truth of this passage is clear, what it means spiritually is no less true, that in the departure of the soul from sin, it is made holy and free. 8 The doctor lives in a better-than-average home in a nice neighborhood. It is full of things from his past and is well maintained. He has an old Grand piano and there are many books on the shelves. Some of these books were recently acquired by Oreshchenkov from a fellow doctor. This doctor had just retired and became a bee- postponementer. He did not enjoy being a doctor and at one time he was free of it. He c ould now do what he really wanted and was... ...hich occupied them, whichthey believe was central to their lives, and by whichthey were known to others. The meaning of institutionwas to preserve unspoiled, undisturbed and undistortedthe image of eternity with which each person is born. (P 432)The doctor sees the people of his past, not as their accomplishments, but who they really are. He sees that they are so preoccupied with the things they are doing that they think that that is all they are and that is how other people saw them. They become objects of their work and activity and loose who they are. The doctor sees that the office of life is to remain true to yourself. Dont allow yourself to distort what you really are. See yourself as a person. If you do that you will continually keep your soul pure. If you live your life a gentleman being your soul will remain unspoiled and will last for eternity. To live a human being you must be and treat everyone as a beloved creation of God for your entire life. That is the truest of all tests for a man.