Ward No. 6 Summarize Dr. Rabin's Philosophy About Suffering

This passage from Chekov’s Ward NO. 6 summarizes Doctor Rabin’s philosophy about suffering in the world. Doctor Rabin sees no use in trying to help or cure people, as death and suffering are inevitable parts of life. Suffering is just another part of life, which cannot be avoided and should not be interfered with according to his philosophy of “scorning suffering.” According to Doctor Rabin, people should more concerned about cultivating themselves intellectually instead of focusing on their suffering and unsuccessfully trying to end it. This passage is important for the whole story because it presents how Doctor Rabin’s passiveness about suffering effects his duties as the head physician and leads the reader and Gromov to question the lack of adversity in Doctor Rabin’s life, which may have influenced his doctrine. This passage plays an even more important role for understanding the transformation of
Doctor Rabin never seems to confront this corruption and turns a blind eye to those who commit these acts. Perhaps, it is his own philosophy that keeps him from trying to transform his hospital into a better place, as he sees existence of the hospital as unnecessary. Ensuring better medical service for his patients is only the means of ending suffering in his doctrine. This is not the concern of Doctor Rabin, because people will eventually die and they should focus on cultivating themselves, rather then temporarily ending their suffering. He tells Gromov that, even behind the bars of the mental institution, one can cultivate themselves intellectually. According to Rabin: “there’s no difference between this ward and warm, cozy study.” Gromov’s response mocks Doctor Rabin’s reasoning as being influenced by the lack of suffering in his life, which may have made him