Analysis of Williams’ the Doctor Stories
William Carlos Williams is known as a modernist poet for his significant contributions to poetry and short stories that depicted the lives of physicians. Williams’ the Doctor Stories presents various short stories and poems that narrates his experience as a physician working in low-income neighbourhoods. Williams was considered a pioneer for modern literary give how his works contained idioms, specifics and focused on a single set up. Williams provides his readers insight into what it was like to be a physician back in then, and many physicians and patients can relate to most of Williams’ narrations. Williams’ works reveal his three personalities; the poet as a physician, the physician as a practitioner, and the practitioner as a philosopher which he successfully manages to live through interchangeably.
Williams lives through his time as both an artist and a physician. He draws his inspiration for his poems and stories from his daily encounters with patients, nurses and other physicians. Williams touches on his reader’s emotions by presenting them with the raw details of the pain and suffering of his patients. As a poet, he has to bring his literary works to life by using real-life experiences that readers can relate to. Williams draws from American idiom that focuses mainly on speech rhythm and dialogue as its literary style. As a physician, he expresses that he works not for the money, but for the sake of helping suffering patients (Williams p. 80). Williams believed that being a physician facilitated his journey into poetry as it allowed him direct contact with his characters.
Williams reveals that it takes real dedication, professionalism and hard work to be a practitioner. He sets stories such as The Use of Force aside for his fellow physicians to narrate some of the struggles of being a practitioner (Williams p. 100). The stories reveal that physicians are forced only to show what it is considered professionally acceptable. Williams explains the unethical practices that physicians engage in to show that practitioners are just as human. These physicians have to strive to save lives in insecure immigrant neighbourhoods to crude families that barely compensate for their services. Williams provides authentic narrations from physicians and nurses who had to struggle to get families medical help despite the harsh conditions and the threatening Great Depression.
Williams’ contributions to literary works also portray him as a philosopher as he addresses the challenges faced by physicians. Williams’ Old Doc Rivers, the Use of Force and Jean Beicke raise ethical concerns as the physicians in each story has flaws. The Old Doc, for instance, engages in sexual relations with his patients in exchange for his services (Williams p. 107). In the Use of Force, Williams tells the story of a doctor disgusted by the mere sight of his patient. Williams exposes these questionable actions with the intent of raising awareness of some for the struggles doctors go through while also advocating for others to learn from similar mistakes.
Williams’ The Doctor Stories conveys the experiences of doctors and patients who had to survive hardships to get past the Great Depression. Williams’ works are a revelation of his struggles as well as those of his colleagues throughout their profession. Williams utilizes idioms, rhythm and specifics to describe the horrifying experiences of physicians who tried to save lives in overcrowded immigrant neighbourhoods. Williams’ literary works showcase his ability to be a poet, practitioner and a philosopher in an era where technology was still a new concept.