The Use of Force
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| The Use of Force | |
| Author | William Carlos Williams |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | short story |
| Publication date | 1938 |
"The Use of Force" is a short story by the American author William Carlos Williams first published 1938.
The story is narrated in first person by an unamed doctor who is answering a house visit to see the sick daughter of the Olsen family. With fear that the daughter, Mathilda may have diphtheria, the doctor decides to check her throat, however, Mathilda refuses, and the doctor uses force to restrain her, and examine her throat.
The story is interestingly written without the use of quotation marks, and thus the dialogue is not distinguished from the narrator's comments. The story may relate to William's own experiences as a physician, and illustrates the brutality and inhumane nature of using force on a patient. The story seems to take a more realistic view on the situation, and although the force used on the girl was indeed brutal, it was shown to be necessary, as the girl did indeed have diphtheria, and thus argues the ethical issues of using force on a patient. Which as we all know has negative and positive connotations. In the end he did diagnose the patient, but on the other hand he violated her rights as a human being. [[Category:1938 short stories]
