Just a Spoonful of Sugar

I feel as though William Carlos Williams’ short story “The Use of Force” came to an ending that was both sensible and appeasing. The ending of the short story is in no way the ending of the actual story, but completes the scene, open to close, that the actual story presents in a way that satisfied me as a reader. The short story ends with the doctor finally getting the diagnosis of the little girl Mathilda. He is able to get the metal spoon down her throat and see clearly that both tonsils are covered in membrane due to the diphtheria. She had been hiding her sore throat from her parents but she was not able to trump the doctor. The ending satisfied me because of the standpoint I assumed through the story. I assumed the one of two standpoints. The first standpoint, the one I agree with, is that the doctor is doing everything in his power to save this girl’s life from a deadly disease. The measures to which he must go may seem too aggressive however; he cannot let this girl die. The second standpoint is that the doctor is being too invasive and, just like the parents, who, in my opinion, are frustrating and annoying, should give in at any sign of pain from Mathilda. The parents simultaneously want her to feel better but are not willing to go to the necessary means to do so. That is why the ending satisfies me as a believer in the first standpoint. The doctor is able to diagnose the sick girl and hopefully save her life. The ending of the story finishes what the beginning of the short story started. The problem of Mathilda being sick is solved because now the doctor can treat her with the correct medications. However, the ending to the text does not end the entire story. Mathilda still needs to take the medication and do her part to cure herself and with the attitude and ferocity she brought when getting diagnosed I doubt that will be an easy task.