Conflict and Irony in Williams, Carver and Baxter

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and discusses "Gryphon" by Charles Baxter, "The Use Of Force" by William Carlos Williams and "A Small, Good Thing" by Raymond Carver. The paper focuses specifically on the use of irony to dramatize conflict in these three tales. According to the paper, conflict is the essence of all good storytelling.

From the Paper:

"William Carlos William's short story "The Use of Force" also ironically depicts someone who must be cruel, only to be kind. The conflict of the story centers on a young child with a fever, and the doctor who is trying to save the little girl. The irony of the story is that the doctor must examine the child's throat, but the child regards the doctor as an intruder, and the doctor must force himself, violently, upon the child, to help her live. Irony is also manifest in the child's perspective, because the child quite reasonably sees the strange man who wishes to look at her throat as a dangerous intruder. Her parents, filled with love for Mathilda, have not forced her to open her mouth. The medical professional, in contrast, is capable of some objectivity in the situation. He tries at first, like the parents, to coax her, but to no avail. "Such a nice man, put in the mother. Look how kind he is to you. Come on, do what he tells you to. He won't hurt you."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Gryphon" by Charles Baxter
• "The Use Of Force" by William Carlos Williams
• "A Small, Good Thing" by Raymond Carver

More papers on Conflict and Irony in Williams, Carver and Baxter:

• Analytical Essay # 116481 : "Irony in 'Fat Girl' and 'Soldiers Home'"
• Analytical Essay # 31202 : "Ephinany and Irony in Updike's Stories"
• Comparison Essay # 113126 : "Identity and Society in Austen, Twain and Potok"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: