Analysis Of “The Use Of Power” Written By William Carlos Williams

Name Tutor Course Date Analysis of “The Use of Power” Introduction “The Use of Power” is a short story written by William Carlos Williams. The story is about a doctor who should treat a sick young girl Mathilda, whom he suspects to be suffering from diphtheria. The parents of the young girl have hired the doctor to take care of the sickness of their daughter because they fear she might die if her condition remains unattended. However, when the doctor tries to obtain the swab from the girl’s mouth to conduct the diagnosis, she resists and even tries to attack the doctor. Mathilda’s parents try to persuade their daughter to allow the doctor examine her throat but all in vain. The Olson and his wife describe the doctor as a nice man to their daughter in a bid to make her allow the doctor to examine her throat. The doctor becomes so frustrated by the girl’s behavior and decides to use physical force to make the girl open her mouth so that he can take the swab for diagnosis. The doctor eventually succeeds to diagnose the girl’s disease, but against her wish. Political and Cultural Implications of the Story Although “The Use of Power” is a simply a story about a doctor who is trying to save a child from her stubbornness, it could be a representation of several other encounters that the narrator may have faced in his hometown. In this story, a professional doctor symbolizes an individual with the desire to help others, even if it means using physical force. The doctor says that the use of force is for the wellbeing of the client’s health and he must apply it to ensure that the disease does not hurt the girl nor does it spread to the people around her. The use of term force has been used by the authorities within the legal framework to justify the use of physical force against an individual if such force is believed to be justifiable to protect the individual, themselves or society in general. The use of force by the doctor is a reflection of a society whereby the authority uses the power to oppress its subjects. Sometimes authority uses unjustifiable force to quell protesters or subdue a suspect. In such cases, the law enforcement contends that application of force is essential in protecting others or the authority itself. Nonetheless, as much as the use of force is necessary, some individuals may take advantage to attack a pers...