Dr. Luce is the doctor in New York who is considered an
"expert" in hermaphroditism. In the 70s, this medical concentration alone reveals Dr.
Luce to be a "sympathetic" character. At that time, such sexual and genetic disorders
were largely unexplored and unspoken of.
Dr. Luce
originally misdiagnosis of the cause of Cal's mutation and incorrectly assumes he would
rather be a woman than a man. He is not completely confident with his diagnosis, and
even when publishing her case, he hopes Cal never shows up to refute the ideas
presented. However, instead of presenting the doctor as judgemental, harsh, dismissive,
or even fame-seeking, Eugenides shows him to come across as genuinely concerned for
Cal's well-being. The audience believes Dr. Luce wants what is best for this patient
who, through lying on many preliminary questions, suggests that her (his) natural sexual
orientation tends to be that of a woman, not a man. In the end, the audience pities
both Cal and the doctor with the understanding that neither can be
fully open about the truth with one another because it seems socially inappropriate,
awkward, and potentially destructive.
No comments:
Post a Comment