Guests of the Nation

The story "Guests of the Nation" took place during the British War where two Englishmen Hawkins and Belcher, and two other men, Noble and Bonaparte, soldiers in the war are residing in a cottage together where the four of them seem to be pals. Jeremiah Donovan, another soldier appears to be the one in charge. The four men sit around and play cards and argue about the war and religion. The problem is that Bonaparte and Noble believe that they are just keeping an eye on the two Englishmen until Donovan explains that they are hostages. Donovan explains that the enemy has four of their men held as prisoners and is awaiting word on whether or not the enemy is going to shoot the four prisoners. If this happens, then Noble and Bonaparte will have to shoot the two Englishmen as a reprisal. After word comes that the four men were shot, Donovan, Noble, and Bonaparte lie to Hawkins and Belcher and tell them they have been shifted again. Moved to another area. This is to get them to the spot to which the Englishmen will be shot, quietly and peacefully. Hawkins and Belcher unaware of what is to happen, are in shock when told on the walk to the bogs of what is about to happen. Hawkins tries to more or less plead his point on the happenings. In the end, Donovan shoots both the Englishmen and they are buried.



My reaction to this story is that I felt pain and sorrow not only for the two Englishmen, but also for the two soldiers Noble and Bonaparte. I realize that in an event like war, people have to be killed in the line of duty. However, in this story, Noble and Bonaparte neither one anticipated having to shoot the two Englishmen. After all, they had shared a cottage with them and played cards on a regular basis. In the end, they had all became chums in a way. I found myself teary eyed as I reach the end of the story where Hawkins tries to plead is point on what was about to occur. I could almost feel the pain in Nobles and Bonaparte behalf. This was an excellent short story. It kept me intrigued.