Who's Life Is It Anyway

The play ‘Whose Life is it Anyway?’ by Brian Clark explores conflicting issues and views through the protagonist predicament. Having conflict is essential in drama. Conflict is created through disagreement of different perspectives and allows the audience to question their values in society. The three keys areas of conflict that arise in the play are the dignity of choice, professionalism and desire.
Dignity of choice is a key conflict that is conveyed throughout the play. Ken is a paraplegic resulted from an accident which stripped him from his dignity of choice, unable to make decisions himself. Throughout the play, dignity of choice has been portrayed effectively in many key scenes which lead to the tension of the issue of euthanasia. A key incident where Ken has had his dignity of choice removed was when he was forced to take the injection as one of a series of measures to keep him alive. The author utilises dramatic techniques to further enhance the conflict of dignity of choice. Contrast is employed to portray the two conflicting ideas in the play between Dr Emerson’s concept and Ken’s notion of the right to be discharged. Ken’s quote: ‘’Don’t stick that thing in me!’’ suggests his lack of authority over his own decisions as he is powerless against Dr Emerson.
Another key conflict that is skilfully portrayed throughout the play is professionalism. Ken has a strong view on his subject of euthanasia and the doctors are having a hard time caring for Ken without being emotionally affected. During the scene with Mrs Boyle, Ken confronts her with many of his own opinions about his rights and decisions. Mrs Boyle being so called ‘’professional’’ by Ken completely ignores Ken and continues with her own perspective of what should happen. Ken says ‘’You doctors with your appalling so-called professionalism, which is nothing more than a series of verbal tricks to prevent you from relating to your patients as human beings’’. This suggests the professionalism of the