Can Art Teach?
The article examines the role of didacticism in art, using the HBO medical drama 'The Pitt' as a central example of a show that openly conveys educational and moral messages. While modern criticism often dismisses didactic works as heavy-handed or preachy, the piece argues that art has historically served an instructive purpose. From ancient texts like Hesiod's 'Works and Days' to Aesop's fables, the blending of education and art is deeply rooted in cultural tradition.
- ▪'The Pitt' is a medical drama that presents educational content about healthcare, hospital operations, and social issues within its narrative.
- ▪The show unfolds in real-time over a single day per season, emphasizing the fast-paced and fragmented nature of emergency medicine.
- ▪Critics often dismiss didactic art as preachy, but the article points to historical precedents like Hesiod, Aesop, and Ovid, whose works combined storytelling with instruction.
- ▪The article references contemporary media reviews that use 'didactic' as a pejorative, suggesting a cultural shift away from valuing overtly educational art.
- ▪Despite this, 'The Pitt' has been both popular and critically acclaimed, winning five Emmys out of thirteen nominations in 2025.
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The Weekend EssayCan Art Teach?Calling something “didactic” has become grounds for immediate dismissal. But do the merits of works with an educational bent—from “The Pitt” to “Elizabeth Costello”—suggest we should think again?By David S. WallaceMay 16, 2026Illustration by Kyle EllingsonSave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyAnother patient has hit the emergency room, this one with a malfunctioning pacemaker. As doctors begin the complex process of inserting a wire into his chest, a question-and-answer session begins. “Why do we inflate the balloon now?” one asks.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The New Yorker.
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