Professor Bernhardi vs. the Christians Early 20th century Austria, in which this play is set, was riddled with underlying animosity towards Jews because of the rise of Christian Socialism – a political party that was strongly influenced by Catholic Anti-Semitism. Despite this environment, the Elisabeth Institute is created – a private teaching hospital that treats the underprivileged community of Vienna (Schnitzler 27). The central fundamental theme of this play is anti-Semitism and discrimination against Jews by other characters of the play, which is particularly illuminated the central conflict between Professor Bernhardi and the Catholic Priest. Professor Bernhardi, founder and director of the Elisabeth Institute subscribes to the Jewish religion, albeit not intensely. He views
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The plays opens at the Elisabeth Institute with Dr. Bernhardi treating a patient who had recently suffered from an illegal abortion, which left her in critical condition. This patient was dying, however, she had become quite euphoric at the end of her life. Due to the patient’s imminent death, Nurse Ludmilla thought it sensible to call a Catholic Priest to deliver last rights to her. However, Nurse Ludmilla did not check with Professor Bernhardi, the head doctor on the case, about bringing a Priest to the hospital. Since the patient was “ignorant of her condition” (Schnitzler 45), she believed that she was on her way to recovery, not death. Professor Bernhardi believed that the sight of the Priest may “hasten the end” (Schnitzler 45) of the woman’s life, because “she’s unaware of the reality… she thinks she’s about to resume her life” (Schnitzler 45). Bernhardi insists that “one of his responsibilities when everything else is beyond [him], is to help [his] patients to die happily – at least as much as [he] can” (Schnitzler 46) – the woman deserves to be happy and at peace in her last moments. Conversely, the Priest believes it is his divine responsibility to
The plays opens at the Elisabeth Institute with Dr. Bernhardi treating a patient who had recently suffered from an illegal abortion, which left her in critical condition. This patient was dying, however, she had become quite euphoric at the end of her life. Due to the patient’s imminent death, Nurse Ludmilla thought it sensible to call a Catholic Priest to deliver last rights to her. However, Nurse Ludmilla did not check with Professor Bernhardi, the head doctor on the case, about bringing a Priest to the hospital. Since the patient was “ignorant of her condition” (Schnitzler 45), she believed that she was on her way to recovery, not death. Professor Bernhardi believed that the sight of the Priest may “hasten the end” (Schnitzler 45) of the woman’s life, because “she’s unaware of the reality… she thinks she’s about to resume her life” (Schnitzler 45). Bernhardi insists that “one of his responsibilities when everything else is beyond [him], is to help [his] patients to die happily – at least as much as [he] can” (Schnitzler 46) – the woman deserves to be happy and at peace in her last moments. Conversely, the Priest believes it is his divine responsibility to