Emma Hayward Character Analysis

Paul’s oncologist. Emma is an intelligent, caring, and judicious doctor. She helps Paul through his struggle with cancer in the same way that Paul aimed to help his own patients with their struggles with mortality. She strategizes about how to allow Paul to return to work, and to preserve the parts of his life about which he cares the most. At the same time, she refuses to give him the statistical probability on his survival, knowing that it is better to maintain optimism than to present dry and possibly inaccurate facts. Even though Paul at first tries to become an expert on his own treatment, eventually Emma provides him with the great relief of allowing him to be a patient and letting her manage his illness. She provides him not only with physical treatment, but also with vital emotional and mental care.