Situational Irony In William Williams The Use Of Force

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In the short story, “The Use of Force” by William Williams, a doctor aggressively forces a smooth-handled spoon down an unwilling child’s mouth to diagnose her. This climactic moment signifies the death of the young girl’s independent spirit, devising chaos. The doctor’s first person point of view illustrates his development into a dictator, disrespecting the child’s right to her own will. The situational irony of the young girl choosing death exemplifies how force can cause momentary disorder. Williams exploits these two techniques to prove that the cost of preeminence is the destruction of one’s independent right. The doctor narrates the story, exemplifying his view of the situation. His personal thoughts provide the readers with insight …show more content…
The young girl’s decision is ironic because she prefers to die of diphtheria over having the doctor control her. This implies that her independence and dignity is more important to her than her life. As a result, the doctor’s display of power creates immense chaos. He forcibly rips the girl away from her beliefs and choices, taking away her independence. The doctor’s actions reveal his gradual lost of humanity. He justifies his power-hungry actions by asserting, “The damned little brat must be protected against her own idiocy, one says to one’s self at such times”. This indicates that the doctor believes that the girl’s plight for her autonomy is foolish. He insists that he must be dominant to overcome the dilemma created by the irony of the child’s actions. The situational irony exemplifies the disparity between the girl and the doctor’s view on power. The doctor, under the presumption that he is superior to the child, abandons reason and destroys her delicate independence. Williams uses techniques such as point of view and irony to express the consequences of power. The doctor’s dominance results in the rape of the child’s right to choice. His perspective exemplified his descent into a power hungry adult. In addition, the situational irony of the young girl’s decision affirms the doctor’s abuses to her unrelenting will. All in all, overwhelming power causes execrable turmoil and the destruction of the independent human
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