The House of God

The House of God’s examines the emotional impact of working in the health care system in 1970s America. The interns aren’t given emotional guidance from more experienced doctors about how to handle their feelings in a healthy, productive way that allows them to continue with their trying work. In this context, the interns gradually become isolated from their family and friends outside of the hospital, and even from each other. For example, Roy notes: “[Potts] became more quiet. My questions, my invitations, seemed to echo in his empty rooms. He made it hard to be his friend” (249). 

Roy’s increasing distance from Berry, Eddie not being able to see his newborn baby (259), Pott’s distance from his wife as they each work medical internships, and the on-again off-again nature of the friendships among the interns indicate that emotional well-being in such a setting is very difficult to achieve or maintain. As a result, the interns almost all turn to sex with staff members to help them cope and distract them from their problems. Terms such as “gomers,” the objectification of nurses and female patients, and the long on-call hours all contribute to a dehumanization of patients and doctors.