1. “The Use of Force” Critical Analysis Questions
Instructions: In your groups, respond to each of the following questions on a sheet of paper. Be prepared to discuss and defend your responses with the class.
For psychoanalytic criticism:
What are the underlying motivations of each character?
For Marxist criticism:
What are the power relationships in the story?
What is the role of economics/money in this story?
Who is really in power here?
For feminist criticism:
According to the story, what is the role of woman and the role of man?
Would the story be different if the gender roles were reversed?
For all critical approaches:
Why does the girl act as she does? Why will she not show her throat?
Why do the parents act as they do?
Why does the doctor resort to the use of force?
What is the meaning of the story?