ABSTRACT
By describing one of Antoine’s active working days Martin du Gard emphasizes the fact that the only way to pacify a troubled mind is by keeping profitably busy, thus bringing a comforting achievement and lessening personal distress, as well as that of others. For the existentialist an attempt to attain what he desires increases his appetites, while for the philosopher an attempt to explain the meaning of distress leads to more distress. Therefore, the man of system and technique tends to moderate his restlessness by constant activity. The practice of medicine, in particular, brings a consciousness of serving humanity and mitigating its sufferings. Du Gard’s account of some of the cases brought to Dr. Antoine for consultation illustrates this. How moving is the description of the first visit to a physician of two orphan brothers! The younger, about thirteen years old, has a badly infected and inflamed arm and is brought to the doctor by the other who, being fifteen years old, assumes responsibility for him. Antoine’s compassionate attitude toward these innocent victims of an apathetic society demonstrates that hope can still exist in an unjust and tyrannical environment. The extraordinary courage and manliness of these children illu-strates the stoicism of Alfred de Vigny, which rules out despair. Antoine is thus bolstering his self-assurance, which was weakened three years before by Rachel’s threat of suicide. His watchword is life, not death, and his aim is to improve this life.
