The Use of Force Reflection

While reading ‘The Use of Force’ I wanted to take note of the characterization that develops throughout the prose piece. For example, the little girl is the main focus in the beginning, as the writer describes her appearance and the defensive body language she displays while interacting with the doctor (narrator). I took these details and viewed the little girl as a child who is just afraid of the doctor (like many of us were when we were younger) and persists to feel an aversion towards the doctor, despite her parents’ efforts to explain to her that the doctor is only looking out for her well-being. The doctor’s characterization, though, fully develops towards the end of the piece when he discusses the power he has in terms of the child’s health. His job as a doctor gives him this responsibility to heal this little girl, even if she wishes to keep her diagnosis a secret.