Men in White -- by Sidney Kingsley (1934)

Description
Sidney Kingsely sets up a wonderful ode of sorts to those working in the medical field. SPOILERS INCLUDED. The protagonist, Dr. Ferguson works his way up the ranks while losing his relationship with his fiancee. Their relationship deteriorates and a Ferguson has a one-night affair with a nurse at the hospital after a bitter argument with his fiancee. It is revealed that the nurse was, in fact, impregnated. She forced an abortion that eventually killed her. To heighten the drama, not only was Ferguson to help perform an operation to prevent her death, but his fiancee was forced by another doctor to watch the operation. I will not spoil what decisions are made at the end of the show.

To be noted: The play was originally directed by Lee Strasberg.

Candid Reactions 

  • The play's dedication helps reinforce the notion that this play is a mirror. It is dedicated "To the men in medicine who dedicate themselves, with quiet heroism, to man."
  • I wonder if the footnotes are in the actor's edition, too. I found these insightful. Is it a nod to textbook footnotes that are so crucial to those in the medical field?
  • While the plot is somewhat predictable, it is still engaging. 
  • I can't believe Barbara is having an abortion. 
  • Dr. H questions, "Why can't we help the poor and ignorant? The others will always help themselves -- law or no law" (108). Kingsley inserts this question smoothly into the play. While it isn't an aside, the audience is left to consider the question. 
  • Perhaps the most metaphoric, symbolic, striking lines of the entire play happens at the end of Act Two, when Dr. Ferguson accuses, "You've sterilized my gown!" (110). I was caught off-guard by how effective that was!
  • The play reminds me of Street Scene in that the plot is intensified by the sudden wipeout of a character's belongings and relationships. 
  • Oh, gosh. Of course. 
  • The final tableau is striking. 


Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Recognition of an Important Profession
Kingsley pretty much writes this play like a love letter. The play captures the several conflicts of the field of medicine. He puts up a mirror to a whole profession. The highs of healing and the lows of broken relationships and death. He also identifies the advancement of the field, which is fascinating to read about. 

2. Abortion
To be honest, I am surprised that abortion has not been tackled/addressed as much in all of the other plays I have read in this project. Kingsley does not necessarily choose a side on the abortion debate, but he brings the issue to the attention of the reader and allows the reader to grapple with the ethics of the situation.

Classroom Implications
I do not think I would use this with students because it lacks literary richness. If I were focusing on realism, perhaps it could be a mentor text. I do think students would enjoy the read, though. I think any student eyeing the medical field could enjoy the drama and questions raised in the text.

Personal Takeaway
People who work in the medical field have much to consider about their personal and professional lives.


Ranking
Dialogue
Characters
Plot/Conflict
Symbol/Literary Devices
Overall Enjoyment
TOTAL SCORE






6.75
0
Unfollowable; unrealistic; diction does not match character
Undeveloped; does not reflect humanity
Not engaging; predictable; reader can step away from text because it isn’t gripping
Devices are apparent for cleverness and do not enhance the story (.75)
Reader has no interest in re-reading play  (.75)
1
Not consistently realistic
Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity (1.5)
Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points
Devices somewhat enhance story  
Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work 
2
Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters (1.75)
Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity  
Engaging; unique; reader finds it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping! (2)
Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation
Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically  

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Rankings

9.75 -- Fences by August Wilson ( 1987 ) 9.5 -- The Subject Was Roses by Frank D. Gilroy (1965) 9.25 -- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams (1955) 9.25 -- The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn (1978) 9.25  --   Long Day's Journey into Night  by Eugene O'Neill  (1957) 9.25 -- Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (2007) 9.25 -- Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks ( 2002 ) 9.0 -- Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner (1993)   9.0  --  Anna Christie  by Eugene O'Neill  (1922) 9.0 -- Cost of Living by Martyna Majok ( 2018 ) 9.0 -- Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949) 9.0 -- Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (2005) 9.0 --  The Flick by Annie Baker (2014) 9.0 -- 'night, Mother by Marsha Norman (1983) 9.0 -- Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegria Hudes ( 2012 ) 8 .75 --  Beyond the Horizon by Eugene O'Neill (1920) 8.75 -- How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel ( 1998 ) 8.75 -- ...
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