Reading Response #2

Code Clock shifts the focus from Ming and Fitzgerald’s relationship to Fitz’s career as a physician, and gives more insight into the life of a doctor. The story begins with Fitz heading towards a code blue in the hospital, and continues with him trying to resuscitate the patient, Mr. Dizon. Fitz continues, in vain, to try to save the patient, knowing it had been far more than ten minutes before the code blue was called. This passage highlights Fitz nervousness about treating Mr. Dizon, as he consistently repeats “I’m comfortable. I am” (94) to himself. However, it also notes how devoted a doctor is to his occupation, and the lengths one will go to save the life of one person. If nothing else, Code Clock presents the daily paradox faced by doctors - when to quit. This idea reflects back to the previous struggles of Ming and Fitz, questioning if they gave up on their relationship at the right time, or if they didn’t try hard enough.

The next short story takes the cynosure from Ming and Fitz and now gives background on Chen, Ming’s lab partner and new romantic interest. In A Long Migration, Chen faces conflict between the wishes of his father, and what he knows is right. This reincarnates the struggle that Ming faced between knowledge and emotion, and thus provides a common character trait between Chen and Ming. Lam presents an interesting idea about doctors, and underlines the struggles a physician faces when treating patients they have a pre-existing relationship with.

Interestingly, Yeh Yeh (Chen’s father) is presented in contrasting ways. In the present, he is portrayed as feeble, ill, struggling man. However, this is intermixed with knowledge of Yeh Yeh during his prime, in which he gambled, drank, slept with hundreds of women and lived a lavish life of excess. This demonstrates strong ideas about gluttony, and subtly implies that karma has a powerful effect on life.

Short story number six, Winston, has most definitely been my favourite thus far. The compelling tale of Sri’s dealings with a patient suffering from psychosis is truly riveting. I can say with great confidence that is one of the best short stories I have read in my life time. The themes of reality and trust are presented so artfully and beautifully, especially for a young author. Winston is clearly insane. He is constantly suspicious of everyone and everything, assuming there is some master plan to destroy him. However, he primarily blames his neighbour, Adrienne, of poisoning him at a party to rape him. This story evidently is ludicrous. However, while treating Winston, Sri has moments in which be believes there could be some sort of drug that could cause Winston’s symptoms. Sri continually questions his supervisor, Dr. Miniadis about this issue. Her responses are often cryptic, yet profound. At first, she tells Sri “You’ve heard that the sound of hoofbeats implies the presence of horses. It is true that we must look carefully for zebras, but for the most part we expect to find horses” (125). When Sri argues that the patient insists of poison tests, she replies “Naturally. Zebras. Always, people are drawn to zebras” (126). This delightful metaphor exposes that for the most part, what is obvious is correct, however, there is the brief chance that it is something unusual. Doctor’s must search for the unusual, even if in vain. Days later, Sri still is unsure about Winston, and again speaks with Miniadis. “Tell me, Dr. Sri, if you woke up one day and saw a purple bird in your room, what would you think? . . . What if you called someone to help you with the bird - to remove it - but then it was gone. What would they think? . . . There are no purple birds native to Toronto” (152-153). Sri continually disputes this, however, he accepts his enigmatic answer and continues on. Later, he goes to check on Winston in his home, where he meets Adrienne. She offers him tea, but Sri is reluctant to drink, still considering the possibility of Winston being poisoned by the woman. After finally sipping the tea, Sri exclaims to Adrienne, “Um... was that a purple bird? Just out the window?” (162).