The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat Ethos Pathos Logos

In the hands of one less skilled, the novel “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” may have well been little more than a book of records, a compilation of strange neurological tribulation; when written in this way, it removes all of the humanity from something that is essential to what makes it. Oliver Sacks, a professor of clinical neurology, sees the method where others see madness, and even goes as far as to argue that neurological disorder is not the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the human mind, but rather an inherent part of it. Sacks central argument, further supported through the use of ethos, logos, and pathos, is that identity and disease should be studied together in order to "restore the human subject at the centre" (Sacks viii).

In an example of Ethos, Dr. Sacks demonstrates himself as an ethical narrator by openly sharing his personal thoughts and experiences, a choice that is meant to show that he has nothing to hide, thus making him appear more trustworthy. Sacks is also willing to appeal to the …show more content…
This story describes the condition of Dr. P, an acclaimed music teacher, who has clearly lost the ability to judge and interpret many faces and objects and faces due to visual agnosia. Dr Sacks goes on to interpret the music teachers “personal melody”, one that helps him fluidly complete his everyday routines. His train of thought is guided by music and, should this become interrupted, so is his perception and ability to continue physically. “Startled, taken aback, arrested by the interruption, Dr P. stopped eating and sat frozen, motionless, at the table, with an indifferent, blind bewilderment on his face. He saw, but no longer saw, the table; no longer perceived it as a table laden with cakes. His wife poured him some coffee: the smell titillated his nose and brought him back to reality. The melody of eating resumed.” (Sacks