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 doc...