The House of God by Samuel Shem Essay Example for Free

The kinfolk of God by Samuel Shem EssayThe House of God, by Samuel Shem is a satirical novel that represents the lives of young interns interning at a hospital nicknamed The House of God. The came from the top of their medical school class to the bottom of the hospital module to serve a year performing distasteful work, experiencing poor working conditions, and losing close contact with family and friends. exclusively only the Fat Man, the all-knowing resident, could sustain them in their struggle to survive, to stay sane, and to be doctors. It is a quaternary hundred and thirty-two page novel illustrated with numerous medical references and college level diction. The book fits well with the catamenia AP English literature computer program because it is known to be the Catch-22 of medical professions and offers the same(p) themes and character conflicts found in other suggested adaptations.The House of God is a must read for all students enrolled in AP English. It express es irony, humor, conflict, character victimization and many themes. The novel allows students to read a book similar to Catch-22 without having to deal with another war novel, resembling A Farewell to Arms. It captures interest through a chronological flashback, unlike Catch-22, where the order of events is unclear. It also offers students an brain wave of the cruelties and realities of the medical profession that parallel the military profession. In the end the reader learns the effects of oppression, fatigue, and the psychological victimization of each intern. These understanding will further enhance a students knowledge of theme and conflict.However, introducing the novel to the curriculum has some disadvantage. It is constructed with vulgar language through the last page. The language is especially explicit during the numerous internal intercourses between the interns and nurses. Students should be mature enough to get past the crudeness but some teachers and students may not be open to the vivid voice and scenes. Also many of the characters are stock characters and astonishment arises about whether or not they are important to the central plot. Lastly, some students will not be familiar with the medical references of diseases and symptoms stated throughout the novel. Nevertheless, this is only a minor disadvantage since some toll areexplained as doctors ridicule the interns knowledge.Despite the disadvantages, the novel fits well within the curriculum. It has offers a difficult reading level that challenges students reading, a strong use of literary techniques, and a psychological understanding of dynamic characters. It is the same length as Catch- 22 but it is easier to understand and expresses a clearer message on the realties and psychological tolls of a profession.