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.