Ladies and gentleman, what does it mean to have freedom of choice? As humans, we are often oblivious to the decisions we make and the impact they have on the path we follow. We pursue a career of our choice, travel wherever we desire and live our lives as we please, however, for some, freedom of choice is not a right and their attainment of it comes after much controversy and challenge. In the play Whose Life Is It Anyway? written by Brian Clark, main protagonist Ken Harrison is presented with an unenviable challenge. Rendered a quadriplegic, he now desires to end his short life, in spite of the views and opinions of those who surround him. In a similar way, same-sex couples are deprived of matrimony, due to society’s antiquated legislation. Through Clark’s contrasting characterisation and denial of inherent dignity in regards to same-sex couples, we are made to question who is in control of our choices and when can we take a stand in their recognition.
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follows the journey of sculptor Ken Harrison, as he attempts to withstand the repercussion of a car accident, which has left him a quadriplegic. Totally reliant on others to ensure his survival, he accepts that for him “life is over” (Page 55) and he does not wish to go on living with so much effort for so little result” (Page 28). Unfortunately, for Ken, ladies and gentlemen, Doctor Michael Emerson, the hospital’s consultant physician, has contrasting views and herein lies the controversy of Clark’s drama. The doctor is an honourable and caring man and believes that his patient simply needs time to acclimatise to his near reality, however Ken disagrees. By highlighting Harrison’s struggle for freedom of choice and Doctor Emerson’s firm belief that Ken’s depressive and suicidal thoughts are his “responsibility” (Page 45), Clark asks his audience “Whose life is it anyway?” and how do we as a society decide who is in a position to make authoritative
follows the journey of sculptor Ken Harrison, as he attempts to withstand the repercussion of a car accident, which has left him a quadriplegic. Totally reliant on others to ensure his survival, he accepts that for him “life is over” (Page 55) and he does not wish to go on living with so much effort for so little result” (Page 28). Unfortunately, for Ken, ladies and gentlemen, Doctor Michael Emerson, the hospital’s consultant physician, has contrasting views and herein lies the controversy of Clark’s drama. The doctor is an honourable and caring man and believes that his patient simply needs time to acclimatise to his near reality, however Ken disagrees. By highlighting Harrison’s struggle for freedom of choice and Doctor Emerson’s firm belief that Ken’s depressive and suicidal thoughts are his “responsibility” (Page 45), Clark asks his audience “Whose life is it anyway?” and how do we as a society decide who is in a position to make authoritative