THE USE OF FORCE
William Carlos Williams
THE CHARACTERS
THE DOCTOR
Summoned by the parents to look at Olson’s throat
to check what’s wrong (& to possibly cure it in the
future)
Knowledgeable, of great power, and in command
Represents the “educated” and those who have
greater power in the society; those who use force on
the less powerful in order to fulfill what they want
and what they claim is for the better
MATHILDA
Was checked for possible diphtheria
Struggled to resist the doctor in opening her
mouth but was overpowered
Embodies those who have less power in the
society, who are controlled by those on top
THE PARENTS
They brought their child to the doctor in their
hopes of getting her disease cured
Symbolizes those who aren’t really helpless,
neither in command, but knows what is
necessary in achieving a goal that they are
made to believe is for the better
THE SCENES
When the doctor arrived at the family’s house,
the parents showed both hopefulness and
distrust
The intellectuals are respected and their opinions
trusted, thus giving them power to control those
with lower positions in the society
The doctor tried to approach the family politely
and convince the child that he is harmless
They try to convince the people that what they are only
trying to achieve is the society’s development and show
them that they are harmless and trustworthy (in terms
of their knowledge and abilities)
The child clawed at the doctor while he was
trying to get near her. This made him impatient
so he scared the girl into opening her
mouth(“Will you open it now by yourself or shall we
have to open it for you?”)
The disobedience and stubborness of the people
can cause those in power to be impatient and to
use force in making the people fulfill their goals
The parents tried to help the doctor force the
child to open her mouth, but both were hesitant
to do so because of shame and the dread of
hurting her
There are people who are convinced by the promise of
development and are helping the powerful in
implementing the policies that are claimed to be
necessary, although they themselves are in doubt of the
means of doing so
The child’s mouth bled in her 2nd struggle, but
the doctor was more eager to look at her
throat, almost turning his supposedly medical
intentions into an obsession
The powerful’s attempt to make the
people participate in their pursuit had
at some point, turned into an obsession
and serving more of their personal
wants
The doctor then took hold of the child’s neck and jaws
and was successful in his pursuit. The child cried in
defeat
Those in greater power usually win and hurt the less
powerful, who thus continues to struggle against
oppression.
THE CONCLUSION
INTERPRETATION
The short story talks about how those in power resort to
violence when trying to force the weak into doing what
they want. At first, the problem about the weak’s
disobedience i.s being approached in a less physical way,
using knowledge and the force of argument as the means
of doing so. But as the weak tries to struggle, and as the
powerful’s motivation grows into a selfish obsession,
violence arises.
APPLICATION
This theme can be applied in a number of
situations, both in the macro and micro-level. In the
capitalist society, this can be shown in the struggle
of the poor against the oppression of the well-off.
This can also be shown in homes through domestic
violence, through the relationship of policemen and
their prisoners in jails, and in classrooms where
harsh disciplinary measures are practiced.
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