The Intersection of Medicine and Mortality: Analyzing the Human Experience in Margaret Edson’s “Wit”

Abstract

Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wit offers a compelling narrative that brings to the forefront the existential and ethical dilemmas associated with terminal illness, making it a significant text for exploration within the field of medical humanities. This study was undertaken to understand how literature, especially dramatic works like Wit, can provide a nuanced critique of the medical establishment and illuminate the often-overlooked emotional and philosophical dimensions of dying. Drawing upon theories from narrative ethics and existentialism, particularly the works of Paul Ricoeur and Viktor Frankl, this paper investigates the dehumanizing effects of clinical detachment and rationalized care systems on patients nearing the end of life.

The primary objectives of this research are: to explore the portrayal of patient identity under institutionalized medical care, to examine the epistemological limits of scientific rationality in confronting death, and to assess how empathy and human connection emerge as crucial components of healing in end-of-life contexts. The study adopts a qualitative, interpretive methodology, employing close textual analysis and contextual thematic mapping to interpret character interactions, language, symbolism, and dramatic structure in the play.

The findings reveal that Wit not only critiques the impersonal nature of modern medical practice but also affirms the transformative power of compassionate care. The play underscores the limitations of intellectual rigor and detached reasoning in the face of mortality and instead advocates for emotional presence, dignity, and empathy in patient care. This paper concludes that Edson’s work serves as a vital pedagogical tool for healthcare practitioners, urging a more holistic, patient-centered approach in both clinical settings and ethical discussions related to death and dying.