Force In William Carlos Williams The Use Of Force

A doctor is perceived by the public to be an ethical individual who is be able to heal and care for those in need, but in his short story “The Use of Force,” William Carlos Williams depicts a doctor who is called to the Olson home to diagnose his patient with unethical methods. His patient, a girl named Mathilda, is suspected to have diphtheria; however, because of Mathilda’s lack of cooperation, the doctor has no other option to examine but to use force. Through his use of force, the doctor accomplished his goal of diagnosing Mathilda and perhaps saving her life, while his methods of obtaining that goal raise a question about his ethic of using force.