Hello Everyone,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains, or as they say in Haiti, "Deye mon gen mon." Our questions will be a mix from the discussion section at the back of the book and a few from conversations I have had with friends about the book. So here goes. . .
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1. The title of the book comes from the Haitian proverb, "Beyond Mountains there are mountains." What does the saying mean in the context of the culture it comes from, and what does it mean in relation to Farmer's work? Can you think of other situations - personal and societal - for which this proverb might be apt?
2. What do you think about Farmer's unique approach to his patients? Is this similar or different than the experiences you have had in the health care setting. Would you want Paul Farmer to be your personal physician? Why or why not?
3. In chapter 4, Farmer is referred to as a 'blanc' or white. According to the book, what makes someone 'blanc.' As we read further, consider whether Farmer remains 'blanc.' Have you ever experienced being 'blanc' and what is your reaction to that experience?
4. A few of you have recently told me that the book is good - what makes it good in Part I?
5. In chapter 4, a Haitian elder woman says to Farmer, "eske-w pa ka konprann bagay ki pa senp." This literally translates, "are you not able to understand things which are not simple." Why did she say this to Farmer? How could it apply to our own lives?
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You can respond to the questions (whichever ones you want) in the comments of this post or you can make a separate blog post with your thoughts. If you write a post, be sure to include Family Book Club in your label at the bottom of the post. Feel free to add other questions into the mix and bring up other interesting items from Part 1 of the book.
Let's try to have Part II - The Tin Roofs of Cange read by March 15th.
Important Haitian Vocabulary from Part I (that wasn't directly translated in the book)
gwo wout la - the big road
Wi - yes
ti kay - little house
doudou - gentle, mild mannered person
cherie - dear
maji - witchcraft
I think "beyond mountains there are mountains" really refers to the challenges in the Haitians' lives. They are constantly struggling with the ability to overcome the poverty and provide basic necessities to their families, and then on top of that an illness can compound the struggle. In relation to Farmer's work, he has to address not only the medical needs, but the other physical needs of the patients, and their beliefs in sorcery in relation to how they will follow through with treatment suggestions, etc. It is not just a simple prescription or exam, he treats many areas of their lives.
ReplyDeleteI think Farmer's approach to medicine is one that would benefit all patients. If all medical personnel really listened to patients, addressed not only the physical signs and symptoms of an illness, but the secondary factors and manifestations of it, our lives would be healthier and more productive. I also like how he is able to tell his patients what they need to hear without being abrasive or harsh. Instead of guilting his patients into agreeing to treatment, he makes them feel worth the treatment.
Maybe more people would go to the doctor regularly and address chronic illnesses if all medical visits were like that :)
Finally, because I realize this is getting a bit lengthy... I think when the elderly woman asks Farmer if he does not understand things that are not simple she is asking him to reflect on his own thoughts on faith and medicine. I am absolutely a believer in modern medicine, however I also trust that prayer works. God gives people gifts. Gifts to listen, gifts to preach/teach the Word, or gifts to heal. So, knowing that these gifts come from Him, I have no problem believing that medicine can work. I think the problem with many medical professionals these days is that they forget who gives them that gift (or don't believe it comes from anything but their own intellect). God can give that gift, but He is greater than anything humans can accomplish. Keeping that in mind, I think having a doctor who is a believer and respects that can make a difference in care. Just my opinion.
Ok, better wrap it up.
Love you all.
Emily Ann
Em - I love your responses. I agree with you that what might seem simple from above is really intricate, involved, and riddled with influencing factors.
ReplyDeleteI really wonder what it would be like to be Dr. Farmer's patient. I wish that I could visit his clinic and meet him myself. I really admire the way he treats his patients. I think what Farmer told his med students ". . . that to be a good clinician you must never let a patient know that you have problems too, or that you're in a hurry. 'And the rewards are so great for just those simple things.'" is just an amazing philosophy of clinical care. Can you imagine if your doctor made you think that? I also think it is something we could apply to our own lives. What if we made everyone we encounter (our friends, family, colleagues, children, students, etc.)feel as if there was nothing more important than that person. My Godfather - Chuck - is one of those people who lives that way and man-oh-man it shows. I think that Farmer was equally compassionate in holding firm in telling the truth and not waivering in his repsonses to his patients.
Em - I just love the last thought you left with us - it is such a great experience to have a doctor who understands that ultimately it is in God's hands. (Psalm 31:15 my times are in His hands) Some friends of mine just recently had an amazing experience with a Doctor/Believer and it was evident that it made a huge impact on their lives. Here is a post that he wrote that really exemplifies this idea: http://jchriscook.com/heart-doctors-prayer/ Chris is a great writer - I think you'll enjoy his blog.
Hope to hear some more responses - thanks for being the first Emily. - t
Tracy, that prayer in the link was beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Love you sister!
ReplyDeleteI think that Mountain Beyond Mountains means that there is the beauty of the mountain but beyond that there can be much suffering, pain, poverty, and ugliness. I think that this can be related to any place any where. We see the beauty of a big city or the countryside but beyond that it isn't obvious that there can be much suffering. We don't like to see the ugly side so it is easy for us the look the other way. Debbie
ReplyDeleteMom, I like what said and I agree.
ReplyDelete