46 pages • 1 hour read
Samuel ShemThe House of God
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1978A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
If you were a patient, would you rather be treated by someone with the Fat Man’s hands-off approach, or Jo’s hands-on approach?
What points do you think Shem is trying to make about the medical system at the time that the book was written? Use textual evidence to support your argument.
Do you agree with Updike’s statement that the sex in The House of God is portrayed as a “mutual relief” (xvi)? Does Roy’s relationship with Berry play an ethical role in his sexual relationships at the hospital?
What do you think about the Fat Man’s comparison of the medical profession to a “disease” (88)? Consider this statement alongside some of Roy’s comments about how the profession affects his own well-being.
Consider the portrayal of female characters in the book. How do they compare to the male characters in terms of complexity, characterization, and contribution to the plotline?
What purpose do the scenes in France play in The House of God? Why might Shem have chosen that setting?
What social changes have occurred between the 1970s and now that might have caused changes in the medical training system and the way that medical care is delivered? Something to consider might be the differences in nurses’ uniforms in the 1970s versus today.
Does Roy’s Jewish identity and heritage play any role in this story? What about in his father’s life?
What role does the family story about Roy’s great-uncle Thaler play in the book?
Is it ethical for Roy and Chuck to use sex to gain favor for their ward if doing so helps patients? Should a doctor’s well-being enter into a discussion about patient care?
