A cardiologist and a devout Christian. At first Paul is hesitant to emulate his father, as his father was largely absent from Paul’s childhood because of his long hours at his practice. Paul’s father moves his family to Kingman because of the low cost of living, which would allow him to send his sons to college. Eventually Paul comes to see how respected and trusted his father is by his patients, which inspires Paul to earn that same trust and show that same compassion.
Paul’s Father Quotes in When Breath Becomes Air
The When Breath Becomes Air quotes below are all either spoken by Paul’s Father or refer to Paul’s Father. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1
Quotes
I knew medicine only by its absence—specifically, the absence of a father growing up, one who went to work before dawn and returned in the dark to a plate of reheated dinner.
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Part 2
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Scientific knowledge [is] inapplicable to the existential, visceral nature of human life, which is unique and subjective and unpredictable.
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Paul’s Father Quotes in When Breath Becomes Air
The When Breath Becomes Air quotes below are all either spoken by Paul’s Father or refer to Paul’s Father. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1
Quotes
I knew medicine only by its absence—specifically, the absence of a father growing up, one who went to work before dawn and returned in the dark to a plate of reheated dinner.
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Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2
Quotes
Scientific knowledge [is] inapplicable to the existential, visceral nature of human life, which is unique and subjective and unpredictable.
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Related Themes:
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Explanation and Analysis:
