Wcw's Agression In One Of His Stories

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In “The Use of Force”, William Carlos Williams demonstrates how hostility and aggression between characters enables the use of force. Made prominent in the title of this short story, the theme of force is frequently use and vital to the plot and resolution. The story is set in or around the 1900’s, (as implied by some story details – like the three dollar charge for service) when the protagonist, a doctor, responds to a house call made by the Olson family. He was asked to diagnose Mathilda Olson, the only child of the family. Williams has this difficult patient and her doctor use force for several reasons. Mathilda Olson is shown to be stubborn and pugnacious, who uses impulsive force. Used primarily against the doctor, she was described by the him with “… cold, steady eyes, and [with] no expression to her face what[so]ever…” Mathilda is pushed to go through a routine diagnosis to see if she is showing any symptoms, but when she is asked something by the doctor, she acts oblivious. Her expression does not change, nor does she shift or move her eyes from the doctor. When the doctor tries to get closer, she instantly thinks he’s coming for her, and “… with cat-like movement … clawed instinctively [with both her hands] for [his] eyes… “ The reader could see that Mathilda’s actions were rather reckless, and that she has a (rather irrational) fear of doctors if she gets this volatile. Later in the story, it gets much worse when the doctor tries to retrieve a throat culture, and refuses to comply. Going against moral conduct, Mathilda is shown to use force to hide her diagnosis, and to avoid direct contact with the doctor. The doctor seems kind and good-natured, and acts like the typical physician that would use force, if only completely necessary, to get his job done. This story is told through his point of view, which benefits the reader, because they are able to get

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