Summary of Hughes’s and Williams’ Works in the Context of Conflict
In the process of human interaction, conflicts arise as naturally as breath, and their resolutions can be as varied as the individuals involved. My engagement with the texts “Salvation” by Langston Hughes and William Carlos Williams’ “The Use of Force” invites reflection on the nuances of conflict and the delicate balance required for its resolution.
In “Salvation,” Langston Hughes recounts a moment of profound disillusionment. The young Hughes, eager to fulfill the expectations of his deeply religious community, sits in a sweltering church, waiting for a divine encounter that never arrives. Despite his earnest desire to experience the salvation his aunt assures him is imminent, Hughes is left devoid of the spiritual epiphany he seeks (Hughes). In my life, I have felt the weight of such expectations, the pressure to conform to a collective ideal that did not resonate with my personal truth.
Similarly, in Williams’ “The Use of Force,” the conflict arises from the misalignment between intentions and reality. A doctor, summoned to diagnose a sick child, encounters resistance not only from the young patient but from the internal struggle with his own professional and personal boundaries(Williams). His effort to fulfill his duty and ensure the child’s well-being becomes a battle of wills, where the collective effort to address the illness is thwarted by the child’s fear and the parents’ inability to facilitate the examination.
The authors, Langston Hughes and William Carlos Williams, bring their unique perspectives on human conflict. Hughes, a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, adeptly captures the internal conflict of a young boy caught between personal conviction and communal expectation. Williams, a poet and a physician, explores the external conflict between professional obligation and the unpredictable nature of human behavior.
Classification of Conflict
Both authors expose classifications of conflict — Hughes, the internal struggle with faith and truth; Williams, the external struggle between duty and resistance. Their resolutions, while appearing successful on the surface, reveal a more profound discord. Hughes resolves his conflict through deception, while Williams achieves a pyrrhic victory, his professional success marred by emotional turmoil and the use of force.
My thesis on the classification and resolution of conflicts in these texts posits that actual resolution requires an alignment of inner belief and external action. Hughes’s cooperation with his aunt and the congregation does not lead to a genuine collective effort because his internal truth — the absence of the promised spiritual revelation — stands in opposition to the external expression of salvation. Similarly, the doctor’s failure to create a successful collective effort stems from the clash between the child’s instinctive resistance and his forceful assertion of medical authority.
Analysis of Conflict in “The Use of Force”
In “The Use of Force,” the doctor initially refrains from using force because of his professional ethics and the general expectation that a physician should show patience and restraint. He recognizes the girl’s fear and her parents’ discomfort, and he gently tries to persuade the child to allow him to examine her. The doctor’s use of force can be justified to some extent by the necessity of diagnosing the girl for her own safety. She is suspected of having diphtheria, which, if left untreated, could be fatal. His actions could be seen as a justifiable counterbalance to the girl’s behavior, as her resistance is preventing him from potentially saving her life. However, the doctor also experiences a troubling sense of satisfaction in overcoming the girl’s will, which complicates the morality of his actions.
The parents, initially hesitant, are complicit in the use of force, motivated by their concern for their daughter’s well-being. They justify their behavior by the urgency of the situation and the potential risk of a serious illness. The doctor is somewhat justified in enlisting their collaboration, as they are the guardians responsible for their child’s health, and they have the authority to consent to the examination. Nevertheless, the situation raises questions about the limits of parental authority and the ethics of consent when the patient is not willing.
The story reflects broader arguments about power dynamics, authority, and ethics, which can be found in other literary works and philosophical discussions. The characters represent a complex interplay between societal expectations of behavior, individual rights, and the responsibilities of those in positions of authority. Normal human behavior and reasonable social norms are challenged in the story, as the characters are placed in a situation where the urgency of the medical situation strains regular protocols.
Metaphorically, the story can be seen as a representation of war, with the doctor’s struggle with the girl becoming a battle of wills. The doctor is like a soldier or general trying to penetrate enemy lines (the girl’s closed mouth), while the girl defends her territory with all her might. The use of force becomes necessary to achieve a greater good, akin to the complex and sometimes morally ambiguous decisions made during wartime. The parents can be seen as reluctant allies drawn into the conflict, torn between their protective instincts and the necessity of harsh measures to ensure victory (the girl’s health).
The story provokes a complex emotional response toward the characters. The girl elicits sympathy due to her fear and her instinctive fight against a perceived threat. However, her violent resistance also creates frustration, as it impedes her own well-being. The doctor’s determination can be admired for his commitment to his duty, but his enjoyment of the use of force is unsettling and diminishes the reader’s sympathy for him. The parents are pitiable figures, caught between their love for their daughter and the harsh measures they feel forced to endorse.
Works Cited
Hughes, Langston. Salvation. Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 2002.
Williams, William Carlos. “The use of force.” Doctors and Patients-An Anthology. CRC Press, 2018, pp. 132-134.