William Carlos Williams' "The Use of Force"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in his short story, "The Use of Force", William Carlos Williams examines the justifiable application of physical force. The author points out that all of the doctor's respect appears to go to Mathilda, the "damned little brat", who had the spunk and courage to resist him all along. The paper concludes that even an apparently mild-mannered country doctor can enjoy the passionate feeling of having a strong opponent and admire the resistance.

From the Paper:

"The narrator inquires about a sore throat and both parents explain that the child says "her throat don't hurt her." The slightly exasperated doctor wonders if they have actually looked and discovers that they have not. Mathilda will not cooperate, though, and the doctor tries to reason with her. Attempting lamely to help, the mother says, "Come on, do what he tells you to, he won't hurt you." The doctor is disgusted that the mother used the word "hurt" and he says "I ground my teeth in disgust" at the parents bungling attempts."

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