What is the plot of the story The Use of Force?
“The Use of Force” is a short story by William Carlos Williams in which a doctor is called to examine Mathilda Olson, who resists his efforts to obtain a throat culture. A doctor is called to the Olson house to examine their young daughter, Mathilda.
What is the point of The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams?
The story is rendered from the subjective point of view of the doctor and explores both his admiration for the child and disgust with the parents, and his guilty enjoyment of forcefully subduing the stubborn child in an attempt to acquire the throat sample.
What is the exposition of The Use of Force?
Exposition: The mother and father noticed that their child might be sick, so they call a doctor. Rising Action: The parents and doctor start using force in order to diagnose the child. Climax: The doctor is finally able to get the little girl’s mouth open, by forcing her mouth open.
What is the conflict in the story The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams?
The central conflict in “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams is between the doctor and his stubborn patient Mathilda Olson. The two become involved in a battle of wills which culminates in the doctor forcing open the young girl’s throat to examine her for signs of diphtheria.
How does the story end in The Use of Force?
During the struggle the girl destroys the doctor’s wooden tongue depressor, cutting her tongue in the process. The story ends with the doctor’s use of force seemingly vindicated by his positive diagnosis.
What is the central idea of The Use of Force?
The main idea in “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams is that the use of force itself, no matter how morally good the purpose, corrupts the user.
What is the major theme of the short story The Use of Force?
The main themes in “The Use of Force” are necessary evils, power and control, and the limitations of consent. Necessary evils: The doctor rationalizes using force against Mathilda by convincing himself that it’s for her own good.
What is the climax of the story the use of force?
The climax of the story comes when the doctor finally wrenches open her mouth and sees that she is, indeed, infected with the killing disease. The title of the story refers to both characters’ use of force. Williams makes the reader question if this is the kind of doctor one would want for one’s child.
What is the falling action in the story the use of force?
In the falling action, the doctor realizes that Mathilda has lied to her parents about having a sore throat, to avoid being seen by a doctor. The resolution shows Mathilda trying to attack the doctor again, angry that he overpowered her: “Now truly she was furious.
What is the nature of the conflict in the story?
Conflict in a story is a struggle between opposing forces. Characters must act to confront those forces and there is where conflict is born. If there is nothing to overcome, there is no story. Conflict in a story creates and drives the plot forward.
Why did the doctor use the force on the child?
The doctor explains that he used force on the child because he was saving her from her own idiocy; he was merely trying to save her life. He broke his own standards, followed his emotions and hurt the child, even though he was saving her life.
Why do you think the girl lies to her parents in The Use of Force what does she lie about?
There are a number of possible reasons why Mathilda lies to her parents about having a sore throat. For one thing, she’s aware that that there’s been a nasty case of diphtheria doing the rounds at school. She may not know much about this deadly disease, but she does know that it’s serious, possibly life-threatening.
Who is the author of the use of force?
William Carlos Williams ‘s short story “The Use of Force” is about a country doctor who is summoned to the home of some poor people to examine a sick little girl.
Who is the narrator in the use of force?
The story The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams shows a conflict between the doctor and a determined child patient who has been suffering from fever for three days. The narrator of this story is a doctor who is called to check a new patient Mathilda by her mother Mrs. Olson.
What is the main idea in the use of force?
The main idea in “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams is that the use of force itself, no matter how morally good the purpose, corrupts the user.
How long is the use of force by William Carlos Williams?
Howard is an avid short story reader who likes to help others find and understand stories. “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams has been in print for over 80 years. It’s a popular selection for anthologies—it’s an engaging story and is only about 1,500 words.