A Theme of Quality V. Quantity of Life in The Film My Sister’s Keeper

Introduction

The film “My Sister’s Keeper” is truly a heartbreaking and definitely a movie that can pull at anyone’s heartstrings in a way or another, which is probably the director's intent in doing so. Being born into the world is a beautiful circumstance by itself; however, being born for the purpose of providing organs and vital substances to a sibling turns that feeling right around, which Anna Fitzgerald had to face for most of her childhood. It is understood that Kate, the older sister, needs this donation of organs from her sister in order to survive her condition of acute promyelocytic leukemia, which was the parents' decision to do. Though, was it worth risking another child’s life in the process? Revolving around this plot, ethical themes emerge from the context of the movie that shows conflicts between one side of an argument to another in a medical scope of opinions. One theme that really stood out in the film would definitely be the ethical theme of “Quality v. Quantity of Life,” which basically means should you prolong someone’s life in order to keep them alive, even though their life may be horrible or painful?

Exploring Quality vs. Quantity of Life in My Sister’s Keeper

One example of why the ethical theme of “Quality v. Quantity of Life” is prevailing in the movie is that Kate Fitzgerald made a promise to Anna which involved Kate dying in the process. Of course, there were sibling arguments during this outdoors scene since Kate wanted Anna to stop donating vital organs and other substances such as bone marrow to herself. Thus, the idea of suing the parents for emancipation proclamation was truly formed in that scene. Kate knew she was dying, and it was very painful for herself and for the entire family since this condition of cancer was tearing the whole family apart, piece by piece, individual by individual. On the other hand, the parents were on the other side of the spectrum; they wanted to prolong Kate’s life by every means necessary, the birth of Anna as a donor and constant surgeries, which is directly shown in the movie as Anna confronts her mother in the hospital room that she will not donate her kidney, resulting in the mother slapping Anna across the face. “Mom’s gonna cut me all up, like a vegetable,” a quote said by Kate, which exactly represents the mother’s determination to keep her little girl alive, even though complications are imminent. This emotional conflict highlights the moral dilemma faced by families in similar situations, where love and desperation blur the lines of ethical decision-making.

Another example of why the ethical theme of “Quality v. Quantity of Life” is prevalent in the movie is the physical appearance of Kate throughout the film. Symptoms that Kate experienced list as the following: Loss of hair, epistaxis, hematemesis, kidney failure, low leukocyte count, just to name a handful. Of course, this is painful for Kate physically and physiologically, but it is also painful to witness for the rest of the family. They try everything they can in order to preserve Kate’s life, but is it really worth it? Recovering from cancer in the means of a full recovery is slim to none, and it could have lasting effects that could scar the patient’s life in a variety of ways. Sure, the surgeries do seem beneficial in some circumstances for Kate; however, just as Anna donates one thing, Kate needs another and then another, and another. The cycle of giving and needing is endless in this movie. Although, the most heartbreaking moment in the movie occurs at the end; Kate has full-on cyanosis, poor perfusion of bodily fluids, and many other severe symptoms that can prove to be life-threatening. Should she have to suffer just for a prolonged life, or should she be medically discontinued to be at peace? This ongoing struggle raises profound questions about the responsibilities of medical professionals and family members in determining the best course of action for terminally ill patients.

Conclusion

Therefore, with all the information presented, the ethical theme of Quality v. Quantity of Life in the movie, My Sister’s Keeper, is definitely represented throughout the movie. Involving Kate’s and Anna’s promise of denying any more surgeries in order to cause death, and Kate’s physical appearance throughout the movie prove this theme to be factual. Just the thought of prolonging a child’s life even though they are in constant pain is grueling for the child to endure, which is exactly what Kate experiences. At her expense, she is indirectly taking all the attention from Jesse and Anna, making them seem less important than Kate, which is another reason why she wishes to die. Even though the topic at hand is heartbreaking to endure, this is a very ethical decision that needs to be comprehended. Sadly, it was technically too late, as Kate eventually died after making the family whole once more. This narrative compels viewers to reflect on the complexities of medical ethics and the profound impact such decisions can have on familial relationships and individual dignity.

References

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