Exploitation, Intimidation and Abuse in "The Use of Force"

Doctors have the power to intimidate patients - Image LLanir

In William Carlos Williams' short story, "The Use of Force", a physician, exploits, intimidates and abuses his young patient while her parents observe. 

Professional titles, such as ‘professor’, ‘lawyer’ and ‘doctor’, often intimidate the layperson and thus arouse insecurities that impinge on reasonable judgement when a rational assessment is required. Some specialists may choose to exploit the ‘benefit’ of these insecurities to satisfy their own selfish needs.

Physicians, especially, are in a position, if inclined, to exploit a person's innocence, ignorance and fear of the unknown. In the short story, "The Use of Force", by William Carlos Williams, a doctor's determination to diagnose a young girl's illness develops into an aggressive struggle to overpower her. 

Parents become bystanders to child abuse

The child's bewildered parents, mere bystanders in their own home, condone the doctor's behaviour with their reluctance to intervene and for that reason become their daughter's adversary. 

 
Williams’ choice of narrative technique and its attributes satisfactorily critique the ease with which a medical practitioner, safeguarded by his title, “doctor”, utilises his professional position to violate and transcend ethical practices.

Given that the doctor is the protagonist and narrator, first person narrative allows a convincing report of his inner thoughts and, therefore, his real intentions. The reader becomes privy to a stream of condemning evidence of the doctor’s inappropriate behaviour principally exemplified when he admits that "[He] could have torn the child apart in [his] own fury and enjoyed it".

The practitioner, as the narrator, shares with the reader his introspection which reveals bias, ambivalence and later the "unreasoning assault" he admits he commits. Although he endeavours to excuse his actions, since he acknowledges that "[he] tried to hold [him]self down but [he] couldn't", he, instead, willfully admits that his needs overwhelmed him.

The private thoughts of the doctor

Hence, narrative point of view allows access, albeit limited, to the private thoughts of the doctor. Added to his admission of violently treating his young patient, a further selection of details draws attention to the distance the practitioner creates between himself and the parents and their child. In an attempt to convince the reader that this family were deserved of his reprehensible transgressions, he provides negative, scanty details that disparage his patient and her mother and father. He describes them "contemptible" people who "eye him up and down distrustfully". He refers to their daughter, the person under his supervision, the recipient of his medical attention, as a "brat" who has feline and bovine traits. These biased, detached descriptions confirm his disrespect for those entrusted in his care and further emphasise his assumed superiority and authority, and his patient’s inferiority and subordination.

The doctor uses harsh, aggressive language  

In addition to the limited constructive detail provided of the family, harsh, aggressive language generates a tone of domination, condemnation and terseness towards the parents. This manner, together with the common use of the imperative: "get me a spoon", "put her in front of you . . . and hold both her wrists", once again echo his contempt and lack of sympathy. Ultimately, the physician manhandles the child even though she “. . . shriek[s] terrifyingly, hysterically [that he is] killing [her]". The narrator's attitude, discloses a man whose objective becomes self-satisfaction. His arrogant lack of respect for these people fuels his desire to take advantage of his status, breach ethical conduct and brutally examine a young girl.

A young girl is essentially victimised

First person narrator, albeit limited, but, nevertheless, immediate and compelling, allows criticism of the capabilities of a doctor, who " . . . smile[s] in [his] best professional manner", yet, abuses his trust and succumbs to his violent tendencies. This style of narration compels the protagonist to disclose his personal deliberations. 
Due to 'the use of force' - physical and assumed power - a young girl is victimised and a doctor successfully transcends the rules of accepted behaviour. Furthermore, the exposition this narrative technique affords, allows the author to provide an account of the exploitation of a routine event during which the doctor "had got beyond his reason". However, ironically, although the reader witnesses the doctor’s clear intention to breach ethics through self-observation, the victims and judicial system do not.

 Family deceived by the man they should trust

‘The Use of Force’, by William Carlos Williams, emphasises the hopeless reality of a three family members who, due to preconceived beliefs, are deceived by a man whose title represents a code of ethics to which he does not abide.

Sources:

Williams, William Carlos & Rosenthal, M. L., The William Carlos Williams Reader, New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1966.

First published Aug 4, 2011 on Suite101.com Lesley Lanir

Copyright Lesley Lanir. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.