“The child was fairly eating me up with her cold, steady eyes, and no expression to her face whatever. She did not move and seemed, inwardly, quiet; an unusually attractive little thing, and as strong as a heifer in appearance.” (Williams 1170).
William Carlos Williams “The Use of Force” is disturbing because of its ability to make the reader look beneath the surface to realize the alarming nature of the Doctor. The character of the Doctor seems to find some kind of sexual attraction to his patient, who is simply an innocent, young girl. The reader finds themselves questioning the validity of this possibility; could the Doctor truly have feelings for this girl, and if so, could this seemingly routine medical examination be a violation of this girl? The answer to these questions may make the reader feel uneasy as they realize that the Doctor is in a position of power over the girl. The girl did not consent to being examined by the Doctor – it was her parents who allowed him to do so forcefully because they wanted to help her. However, her parents knew nothing about the Doctor or his background before allowing him to intrude upon the rights their daughter would have had if she had been of age. As a result, the Doctor finds enjoyment in making the girl suffer and in forcing her to expose the illness she had been hiding from her family. Ultimately, William Carlos Williams serves to disturb his reader through the realization that we must be cautious of everyone for even those who pledge to help can have the darkest intentions.
1 comment:
Well said. This story DOES make the reader uneasy. Williams has masterfully manipulated us--again! -LN
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