Ambivalent Narrative and the Doctor's Perspective in "The Use of Force" Anonymous College

William Carlos Williams’ work “The Use of Force” is told from the narrative perspective of a doctor reminiscing on a home visit he made to a sick child. The visit starts off normal as the doctor takes stock of his patient’s symptoms and disposition, but the choice of wordage and what the doctor chooses to focus on in respects to the young girl’s body gives readers a bad impression on the doctor’s true motivations. From the way he acknowledges her every physical asset to the way he admittedly takes ‘pleasure’ in laying his hands on her, the doctor’s twisted mindset does not allow for much sympathy. While not written expressly from his perspective, this work nonetheless provides plenty of insight into the author’s mind and how he deals with the internal, immoral, intrusive ‘animalistic’ thoughts most people have but do not act upon. Through the Doctor, Williams proves that there is no ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy’, only a human with human impulses.

The Doctor tends to flip back and forth on how he sees the young patient he is sent to check on. She is either a pure beauty or an animalistic brat. Williams makes sure to write that at first, the Doctor’s only observations of his patient are of her body and appearance. He does not...