Why I Like the Hospital by Tony Hoagland - ISC English Class 11 (Rhapsody) poem | English For All

Summary

The script discusses the emotional atmosphere within hospitals, highlighting how the environment can negatively affect patients' moods. It touches on the concept of hospitals as businesses reliant on a constant influx of patients for profitability. The narrative uses various examples, including the struggles of a mother with cancer, a girl post-surgery, and an intellectually challenged woman, to illustrate the emotional toll of hospital stays. It also addresses the lack of empathy from hospital staff and the dehumanizing treatment patients often face, concluding with a call for gratitude and perspective amidst life's challenges.

Takeaways

• 😷 The script discusses the mood in hospitals, suggesting that it's normal to feel down due to the suffering and accidents that occur there.
• 🏥 The environment of a hospital is described as depressing, with people often feeling hopeless and surrounded by illness and death.
• 🚶‍♂️ The poem describes the journey to a hospital starting from the basement, symbolizing the feeling of going downhill or towards despair.
• 😟 The term 'through the underground garage sloching' is used to describe the defeated and weary walk of a person entering a hospital.
• 🏢 The script mentions that hospitals are designed to function as businesses, needing a steady flow of 'customers' or patients to remain profitable.
• 🌿 The poem talks about the emotional impact of being in a hospital, with the environment itself contributing to a state of depression.
• 🚫 The author dislikes the smell of antiseptic in hospitals, associating it with an unpleasant and pervasive odor that permeates the entire facility.
• 🌡 Discomfort is expressed with hospitals being too cold, with air conditioning set to high, making the environment uncomfortable for patients.
• 💔 The script touches on the emotional toll of hospital stays, with examples given of the psychological impact of certain medical conditions or treatments.
• 😢 The poem emphasizes the emotional release that can occur in hospitals, where it's acceptable to express emotions openly, unlike in other public places.
• 📈 The script also discusses how people reflect on their lives while in hospitals, considering their actions and regrets, much like keeping a ledger of their existence.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the script?

The main theme discussed in the script revolves around the emotions and experiences people encounter when visiting a hospital, highlighting the negative atmosphere and the impact it has on patients' moods.

Why does the script mention that people's moods tend to be bad in a hospital?

The script mentions that people's moods tend to be bad in a hospital because hospitals are typically associated with illness, accidents, and suffering, which creates an atmosphere of sadness and stress.

What is the meaning of 'Through the underground garage sloching' as mentioned in the script?

The phrase 'Through the underground garage sloching' refers to the act of walking with a bent head and a tired demeanor, symbolizing the feeling of defeat and hopelessness that people often experience when entering a hospital.

What does the script imply about the term 'customer' in the context of a hospital?

In the context of a hospital, the script implies that patients are considered 'customers' because hospitals operate to make a profit from providing medical services, and they rely on a continuous flow of patients for their business to thrive.

Why does the script mention the color blue negatively?

The script mentions the color blue negatively because it is associated with the depressing environment of a hospital. The color is used to describe the doors of patient rooms, contributing to the overall gloomy mood.

What is the significance of the 'plastic chairs' mentioned in the script?

The 'plastic chairs' mentioned in the script symbolize the uncomfortable and impersonal nature of waiting areas in hospitals, where people often have to wait for long periods, adding to their distress.

Why does the script discuss the concept of 'isolation' in relation to hospitals?

The script discusses the concept of 'isolation' because hospitals can make patients feel alone and disconnected from the world, especially when they are in a waiting room or confined to a bed, separated from their usual social interactions.

What is the message behind the script's reference to 'Force Intimacy of the Self'?

The message behind 'Force Intimacy of the Self' is that when individuals are alone, such as in a hospital waiting room, they often engage in deep self-reflection and confront their innermost thoughts and feelings.

How does the script use the term 'disorientation'?

The term 'disorientation' is used in the script to describe the feeling of confusion and loss of direction that people may experience when they are alone and overwhelmed by their thoughts, as can happen in a hospital setting.

What is the purpose of the script mentioning the example of a man in a green gown?

The script mentions a man in a green gown to illustrate the vulnerability and emotional state of patients. The green gown is a symbol of hospitalization and medical procedures, and the man's demeanor reflects the fear and acceptance of his situation.

How does the script suggest one should react when visiting a hospital?

The script suggests that when visiting a hospital, one should not be overly troubled by small personal troubles and instead express gratitude for their overall health and well-being, comparing their situation to those who are seriously ill.