Idealism vs. Reality

Post-apartheid South Africa provides the setting for the clash of the political ideal of black and white working together and the reality of separation and discrimination. Caught within this clash are Laurence, the idealist and Frank, the realist. Laurence's idealism is also frequently challenged by the reality of his circumstances. He has come to this hospital to do meaningful work because Laurence envisions himself as doing his part to relieve suffering and save humanity. However, the reality is that this is a sham of a hospital and Laurence will have to take his skills to the villages in order to reach the people who need him. Laurence has come to do good work, yet there seems to be no work to do. The hospital should be a place of healing, yet it is without patients and it is in need of healing itself. There is no...