In Margaret Edson's Wit, Jason, Susie, and Professor Ashwood guide Vivian Bearing toward redemption, transforming her into a person who can be both intellectual and compassionate. Jason's cold intellectualism helps Vivian realize her own abandonment of humanity; Susie's compassion shows her how people should behave; and Professor Ashwood, embodying both intellect and compassion, brings Vivian full circle to her redemption so that she can die in peace. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Jason begins Vivian's path to redemption by showing her the errors of her ways. At the beginning of the play, Vivian identifies strongly with Jason because he represents research and "uncompromising academic standards" (15). As a scholar herself, Vivian is comfortable with the anatomization and dehumanization of research. Just as Jason anatomizes her as research, she selects John Donne's "Sacred Sonnets." She focuses on Donne's use of punctuation, pronunciation, and scansion as Jason focuses on his anatomy, both completely missing the "psychological depression" (39) of their subjects. After one morning's “Grand Round” (36), Vivian begins to equate her situation with her academic studies, noting that “they read me like a book. Once I taught, now I am taught” (37). This realization devastates and humiliates Vivian as she has now been reduced to a mere argument. Jason, much like Vivian, completely ignores the necessity of humanity in his work. He believes that treating people humanely and thoughtfully is a “colossal waste of researchers' time” (55). Through Jason's coldness towards her, Vivian realizes that she has "ruthlessly denied her dull students the touch of human kindness she now seeks" (59). By becoming the recipient of Jason's intellectual coldness, he can now see the error of his ways in treating his students cruelly and inhumanely, without even acknowledging the death of a grandmother. Once Vivian realizes the importance of humanity through Jason's lack, she turns to Susie as an example of compassion, which brings her closer to her own redemption. Susie reinforces Vivian's newfound belief in the value of compassion and humanity towards those who suffer. Before Vivian's realization, she feels extremely uncomfortable with Susie's kindness towards her. However, as his suffering increases and becomes unbearable, he cannot refuse the calming effects of Susie's simple compassion. Susie is deeply invested in making Vivian feel as comfortable as possible. Susie provides childlike comfort by calling her "darling" (64), holding her when she cries, and giving her a popsicle. Susie shows Vivian the “simple human truth” (15) whose meaning she previously could not grasp when studying Donne's sonnets. Vivian now sees that death and life are no longer abstract but very personal. The discussion between her and Susie about resuscitation mirrors the correct punctuation of Donne's Holy Sonnet Six. Vivian finally decides that she will end her life with a comma, peacefully passing from life to death without a fight. Susie provides Vivian with proof that there is something more fulfilling outside her intellectual world. Although Vivian comes to appreciate Susie's compassionate personality, she is unable to fully connect with her because Susie lacks the intellect necessary for Vivian to truly identify with her. Vivian still feels the need to be intellectual as well as compassionate; therefore, he cannot complete the unification of his soul without the help of the.