"Guest of the Nation"
Morality as well as moral regulations whether they are stated as laws or not, they form the foundation structure of a given community, defining the boundaries of what is allowed and what is probable. Moral worthiness is a product of our actions that are carried out from duty and not from the objective to which it is set and the manner to which it is attained. However according to Frank O’Connor, he states that a man’s role to his country does not defend the desertion of his moral code (O’Conner et al 3). This is to mean that a man’s action ought to be determined by his own individual ethical standards and not his obligation to his people. Thus a man has to first consider whether the duty that he or she is expected to carry out is moral and ethical before carrying out an execution of the task. In doing so, he will have acted humane and moral thus attaining his or her moral worth. This paper therefore will focus on the story Guests of all nations by Frank O; Connor so as to discuss and support the concept that a man’s duty to his nation is not a justification of the negligence of their individual moral principles.
The central theme of the story, "Guest of the Nation" is the conflict that builds up between duties as well humanitarianism. This theme is clearly portrayed in several passages such as in section three where Donovan and Bonaparte exchange their duties. Each and every character in the story has a role to play. Donavan is an Irishman whose role is to lead the prisoners into the bog. His perception on duty is viewed to be built on following orders from someone superior as per the chain of command. This is clearly stated in the story as he states that “four of our lads (were) shot by your fellows so now you’re to be bumped off” the usual rigmarole about doing our duty and obeying our superiors” (O’Connor, 378). Thus it is evident that his understandings of duty pardon him of any individual conscientiousness for his actions. However, Hawkins’ attitude is different as he stands against Donavan’s view point on duty as he states that he cannot shoot a fellow human being whom he regards as a friend. This is to show that Hawkins is responsible for his personal action and thus is conscious about others and thus he does not believe in following orders to harm others. Bonaparte and Noble characters in the story have difficulties in accomplishing their duties, but they know that they are expected to do their duty. They thus follow the orders as given out to them by their superiors though they do not want to do it. The story therefore portrays that Donavan, Bonaparte, Noble and Belcher are different in character from the old woman and Hawkins characters as they move far away from a restricted conception of nationalism duty to an understanding and consideration for their fellow human beings that rise above the boundaries and politics of different nations. Therefore, in contrast with Donavan, the other chief characters feel that harming other fellow human beings who are friends as well as innocent is all wrong and inhumane, even in the name of being in a patriotic role. Bonaparte and Noble’s use of the term “peculiar expression and chums”, exemplifies the concept of the vital significance of friendship as well as humanitarian compassion (O’Connor, 375,379,380). Just like the biblical genealogy in the Old Testament, suggests that the way to which descent is attained is through embracing the concept of brotherhood of human kind. Being patriotic is good but is not the same as being moral. Thus humanity should come first then patriotism should come second and it is through this chronological guideline about morality that makes us to be humane. Therefore our duty towards our nation is to be responsible for our actions in our society by being moral upright.
It is thus important to note that moral principles supersede any command and this is what brings about change in the society. Morality in the society brings about harmony, peace, friendship and togetherness and thus it should be adhered to. It is true that we all have a duty to carry out but we first have an obligation to be humanitarians through guarding our action to our fellow human beings as it is the right thing to do. Those societies that have characters like Donavan, who are cold blooded in their actions, have proven to be weak as fear spreads in the society since people in orders have to accomplish their duties as per the orders even when they know it is all wrong. Humans should therefore behave in a manner that is socially acceptable and the only way to accomplish this is through carrying out humane actions. At the end of it all it is all about our morality rather than our duties that matter.
References
O’Connor F. Guests Of the Nation. 1903-1966. Retrieved from: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/maddendw/the-oxford-book-of-short-stories_29guestsofthenation.pdf
O'Connor, Frank, and Michael Steinman. A Frank O'connor Reader. Syracuse, N.Y: Syracuse University Press, 1994. Print.
