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The Girl in His Shadow


The story of one woman who believed in scientific medicine before the world ...
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Is Daniel's difficulty in accepting Nora's agency and expertise rooted in a lack of humility? Has a lack of humility ever kept you from developing yourself?

Created: 04/30/21

Replies: 10

Posted Apr. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Is Daniel's difficulty in accepting Nora's agency and expertise rooted in a lack of humility? Has a lack of humility ever kept you from developing yourself?

Silas Vickery, though combative and spiteful, raises a point about medical professionals who fail to advance "because they lack the humility to be taught." Is Daniel's difficulty in accepting Nora's agency and expertise rooted in a lack of humility? Has a lack of humility ever kept you from developing yourself?


Posted Apr. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianac

Join Date: 04/02/13

Posts: 118

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

It was the 19th century so for me humility never entered into it. It just was not accepted practice at that time for women to immerse themselves in the medical field and to also be very accomplished. Let's remember women were seen as delicate creatures with delicate sensibilities.


Posted May. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
laurap

Join Date: 06/19/12

Posts: 413

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I agree with dianac. I didn't think of his attitude coming from a lack of humility, but rather as a result of his attitude toward women and what they were capable of -- which wasn't much, and certainly didn't involve medicine. The same attitude shows up in his relationship with Mae.


Posted May. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 266

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I agree that it was the times--women place was in the home and doing needlework and partaking in the societal obligations that were expected of them. Though Daniel saw her potential he could not express or encourage it unlike Dr. Croft.


Posted May. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I think Daniel's behavior was consistent with 99.99% of the men of his era. The more remarkable thing is that he evolved to recognize and even appreciate Nora's skill and knowledge.


Posted May. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 405

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

No--Daniel was not lacking in humility--he was a product of the 19th century. He lacked experience with a woman who didn't slave over her appearance and spend her time embroidering by the fire. He didn't think a woman capable of having such a skill and was amazed when he saw that she not only was possessed of such talent but that there were med students he knew he did not possess as much! He was amazed and had no problem turning over a surgery he felt unable to perform to her capable hands.


Posted May. 02, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
catherynez

Join Date: 01/27/18

Posts: 101

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I agree with everyone above that his behavior was typical of the men of the 19th century. He was amazed that she was so talented!


Posted May. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
MarieA

Join Date: 10/12/11

Posts: 256

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

Lack of humility had nothing to do with Daniel's difficulty. He was a product of the times--women had certain roles to perform, and Nora was assuming a role forbidden to women. Daniel reflected the attitude of the times.


Posted May. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 458

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I don't think it was a lack of humility. I think Daniel was taught how to think due to the times and a woman's place during that time.


Posted May. 11, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beckys

Join Date: 08/12/16

Posts: 273

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I actually think Daniel had humility, more so than some of the other men at that time. He had a very difficult time accepting Nora as a clinician, but in times of crisis, he did look to her for her expertise in handling the medical situation at hand. I think Nora was also so brave to be able to use her knowledge to help in that situation and save a life when she knew that she could ruin several people in the process if she was found out. She expressed humility herself by allowing Daniel and Harry to take credit for the surgery that she ultimately performed


Posted Jun. 14, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bill

Join Date: 05/25/17

Posts: 23

RE: Is Daniel's difficulty in ...

I believe that Daniel's position was more driven by the fact that he was suppose to report Nora's "illegal" practice of medicine.


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