The Use Of Force by William Carlos Williams

The story is told in first person by the author William. He's a doctor that does house calls where he is introduced to a little girl who lives in (something like)a middle class family. This event seems to have happened in the 19th century considering that he charged the family 3 dollars for his service. At first the family seemed to be welcoming and the little girl seemed to be a very alluring and quiet child. Then the story takes a turn when William tried to take a throat culture from the little girl, in hopes that she doesn't have a life threatening disease, diphtheria. But she resist, with force and aggression. This little girl revealed another side to the doctor, a dark side, in which he has to use force and aggression as well. In order to do his job, he has to do it unprofessionally at this point. This story also reveals the little girls morals and her willingness to fight against her family and the doctor to hide her secret, her infected tonsils. It also reveals her parents lack of good parenting towards her. Though they seemed to be a bit distrusting towards the doctor at the beginning, understanding that their child may have diphtheria, they allowed the doctor to continue until he successfully got a glance at her tonsils, which revealed that she intact had and infection.