The Doctor's Dilemma
The Doctor's Dilemma is a play by George Bernard Shaw, first performed in 1906. It is a comedy about a doctor who must choose between two patients, one of whom is a friend and the other a genius. The doctor must decide which one to save, and in doing so, must confront the ethical dilemmas of modern medicine. The play is a satire of the medical profession and its ethical dilemmas, and is considered one of Shaw's most important works. The play follows the story of Dr. Colenso Ridgeon, a successful doctor who is faced with the difficult decision of choosing between two patients. The first is a friend of his, a talented but irresponsible artist, and the second is a genius scientist who has discovered a cure for tuberculosis. The doctor must decide which one to save, and in doing so, must confront the ethical dilemmas of modern medicine. The play is a commentary on the medical profession and its ethical dilemmas, and is considered one of Shaw's most important works.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1911 · Genre: Drama, Comedy, Satire · 5 chapters · 32,603 words
First lines
DEDICATION: I am grateful to Hesba Stretton, the authoress of "Jessica's First Prayer," for permission to use the title of one of her stories for this play.
What this Textopian page supports
The Doctor's Dilemma is listed on Textopian as a play by George Bernard Shaw, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: George Bernard Shaw
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Satire, Romance
- Length: 32,603 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 1,283 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Drama — The Doctor's Dilemma is a play written by George Bernard Shaw, which is a form of drama.
- Comedy — The Doctor's Dilemma is a comedic play, as it contains humorous dialogue and situations.
- Satire — The Doctor's Dilemma is a satirical play, as it uses humor to criticize society and its institutions.
- Romance — The Doctor's Dilemma contains a romantic subplot between two of the characters.
Tags
A Doctor Must Decide Who Will Receive Scarce Life-saving Treatment · Drama · Physicians · blenkinsop · chair · cure · day · doctor · door · dubedat · emmy · english literature