In the novel Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, Thomas Stone asks, “What treatment in an emergency is administered by ear?” The correct answer is “Words of comfort.” Write an essay that responds to the following questions:
- How does this moment encapsulate the book’s surprising take on medicine?
- Have your experiences with doctors and hospitals held this to be true? Why or why not?
- What does Cutting for Stone tell us about the roles of compassion, faith, and hope in medicine?
- The minimum number of words for this assignment is 500.
- Cite all information that is not your own in APA style. You can find more information on citation here: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
- Include references at the end of the discussion in APA style
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Medicine is as much an art as it is a science. While doctors need to have a wealth of knowledge and expertise, they must also possess compassion, faith, and hope. The novel Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese explores the various facets of medicine, including the role of words of comfort in an emergency situation. In this essay, we will discuss how this moment from the book encapsulates its surprising take on medicine, the veracity of this moment in our personal experiences, and what Cutting for Stone tells us about the roles of compassion, faith, and hope in medicine.
Answer:
The moment in the novel Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese where Thomas Stone asks what treatment is administered by ear in an emergency, and the correct answer being words of comfort encapsulates the book’s surprising take on medicine. Medicine is often portrayed as being purely clinical, where doctors are expected to be emotionless and detached. However, Cutting for Stone emphasizes the importance of emotion and how it is just as potent as any medicine in healing the patient. The novel puts forth the notion that a doctor’s compassion, which can manifest as words of comfort, has the potential to heal as much as any medical intervention.
From personal experience, we can attest that this moment in Cutting for Stone rings true. While doctors and hospitals are undoubtedly equipped with state-of-the-art technology and medical expertise, the one thing that can make a world of difference to a patient is the human touch. Knowing that you are being treated by someone who cares about your well-being can make a huge difference in the healing process. When people go to the hospital, they are often in a vulnerable state, and words of comfort can provide them with tremendous solace and support.
Cutting for Stone tells us that compassion, faith, and hope play vital roles in medicine. Doctors need to be able to empathize with their patients and understand them as individuals to provide the best possible care. Faith, while not necessarily in the religious sense, is important because it is what drives doctors to continue providing care to their patients, even when there seems to be no hope. Finally, hope is a powerful force that can inspire patients to fight and keep on fighting, even when the odds seem stacked against them.
In conclusion, Cutting for Stone emphasizes the importance of an empathetic approach to medicine. Doctors must provide not only medical expertise but also compassion, faith, and hope to their patients. The moment where Thomas Stone asks what treatment is administered by ear in an emergency, and the correct answer being words of comfort, encapsulates the book’s surprising take on medicine.
