Genre
Dramatic Problem Play
Language
English
Setting and Context
Dr. Ridgeon's consulting room and Louis' artist's studio - England, 1906
Narrator and Point of View
POV is that of Dr. Ridgeon
Tone and Mood
Serious, Dramatic with elements of Humor
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is Louis. Antagonist is Dr. Ridgeon.
Major Conflict
Dr. Ridgeon is given the choice between saving Louis or Dr. Blenkinsop with his cure for tuberculosis.
Climax
Ridgeon chooses to cure Blenkinsop in order to marry Louis widow, Jennifer but she knows what he has done. She remarries and holds an exhibition of Louis' works for her late ex-husband. Works she won't allow Ridgeon to purchase.
Foreshadowing
Ridgeon telling Sir Patrick of his issues with his heart foreshadow his immorality of choosing to allow Louis to die in the care of Dr. Bonington
Understatement
It is understated as to whether Jennifer knew Louis was married to Minnie.
Allusions
The decision left to Ridgeon is allusion to how the privatization of medicine affords doctors the ability to determine who lives and dies, rather than all people getting equal care.
Imagery
The image of Louis passing away without Jennifer noticing creates a portrait of death as also having characteristics of gentleness.
Paradox
Ridgeon allows Louis to die in order to marry Jennifer, paradoxically she re-marries another man.
Parallelism
Louis in his artist studio consulting with the doctors parallels Ridgeon in his doctor's office consulting with Jennifer earlier in the play.
Personification
Ridgeon becomes the personification of genius without honor as he allows Louis to die by placing him in the care of Bonington.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Shaw uses the character of Sir Patrick, a man no longer practicing medicine as he is in later years, to cut through the pleasantries of the younger men in order to get straight to the point. He shows how people do not say what they mean in an attempt to be polite citizen with class.
