Dr. Breen's Practice

"Dr. Breen's Practice" by William Dean Howells is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around Grace Breen, a young female physician, who is navigating her career in a society that is skeptical of female doctors, particularly as she tends to a patient named Mrs. Maynard at a seaside resort called Jocelyn’s. The narrative explores themes of gender roles, social expectations, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of medical practice. The opening of the novel sets the scene at Jocelyn’s, describing the hotel and the natural surroundings while establishing the social dynamics among the boarders. We are introduced to Grace Breen and her interactions with other residents, including her ill-tempered patient, Mrs. Maynard, who has a history of feeling mistreated and is currently navigating the complexities of her own personal life. As Grace grapples with her responsibilities as a doctor, the narrative hints at her internal struggles and social pressures, especially as she attempts to maintain her professional integrity in a patriarchal context. The brief exchanges between Grace and her friends, as well as her mother’s concerns, lay the groundwork for exploring how her female identity intersects with her role as a healer in a world that often underestimates women's capabilities.