A comparison of “The Things They Carried” and “The Guests of The Nation” Duty in military service is a significant theme in “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien and “The Guests of the Nation” by Frank O’Connor. Both authors depict how their protagonists are allowing personal matters to interfere with the responsibilities war demands. Despite O’Brien’s opposition towards the war he recognizes the necessity of duty for the sake of his fellow soldiers, driven by his own involvement in the Vietnam War; however, O’Connor does not share this attitude towards his participation in the Irish Independence war and therefore, resents the government for giving these mentally tormenting obligations to the soldiers. Lieutenant Cross, O’Brien’s protagonist,
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He demonstrates this ironically by having Hawkins and Belcher murdered in the end. Donovan, the commanding officer, causes tension when he reminds Bonaparte “if they shoot our prisoners, we’ll shoot theirs” (54). The irony in the setting is the first thing to be noticed, two opposing forces playing cards and joking in a secluded location, away from the war. By doing this, O’Connor forms a world where nothing happens the way the readers would expect it to. Through the development of his characters O’Connor further uses irony to shock the readers in the end. Since Hawkins and Belcher were participants in the opposite side of battle, the audience realizes the Irish characters are required to feel no emotions for their newfound friends. Donovan seems harsh in his direct response to orders yet he too is reluctant to fire upon Belcher. This is ironic because out of all the characters readers expect he would have no trouble following through with the execution. When the execution of Hawkins is unsuccessful, Bonaparte finds he is overcome with sympathy for his wounded friend and fires the fatal shot into his “chum”. This action illustrates the irony of Bonaparte’s duty as a member of his army outweighing his duty as a moral human being. O’Connor cleverly has the characters react to the events as the murder of friends, not the murder of enemies. Bonaparte regrets following his military duty instead of his humanity towards friends. O’Connor looks down on the government’s control on moral issues through the use of irony in “The Guests of The
He demonstrates this ironically by having Hawkins and Belcher murdered in the end. Donovan, the commanding officer, causes tension when he reminds Bonaparte “if they shoot our prisoners, we’ll shoot theirs” (54). The irony in the setting is the first thing to be noticed, two opposing forces playing cards and joking in a secluded location, away from the war. By doing this, O’Connor forms a world where nothing happens the way the readers would expect it to. Through the development of his characters O’Connor further uses irony to shock the readers in the end. Since Hawkins and Belcher were participants in the opposite side of battle, the audience realizes the Irish characters are required to feel no emotions for their newfound friends. Donovan seems harsh in his direct response to orders yet he too is reluctant to fire upon Belcher. This is ironic because out of all the characters readers expect he would have no trouble following through with the execution. When the execution of Hawkins is unsuccessful, Bonaparte finds he is overcome with sympathy for his wounded friend and fires the fatal shot into his “chum”. This action illustrates the irony of Bonaparte’s duty as a member of his army outweighing his duty as a moral human being. O’Connor cleverly has the characters react to the events as the murder of friends, not the murder of enemies. Bonaparte regrets following his military duty instead of his humanity towards friends. O’Connor looks down on the government’s control on moral issues through the use of irony in “The Guests of The