What is meant by the title Guests of the Nation?

The title of the story, “Guests of the Nation,” refers to the English hostages that the Irish soldiers watch in an old woman’s home. Irishmen Noble and Bonaparte don’t realize that Hawkins and Belcher are hostages until later in the story, after befriending the Englishmen.

When was Guests of the Nation written?

1931
“Guests of the Nation” is a short story written by Frank O’Connor, first published in 1931, portraying the execution of two British soldiers being held captive by the Irish Republican Army during the War for Independence….

What is the theme in Guests of the Nation?

The main theme in this story is duty. Each character has a duty to perform. Donovan is the first one to discuss his duty as the rebels are leading the prisoners into the bog. He tells them that four Irish fellows had been shot and ”you are to be shot as a reprisal.

Who narrates Guests of the Nation?

In Frank O’Connor’s “Guests of the Nation,” the narrator, called Bonaparte by his fellow rebels, recounts his reluctant role in the execution of two English soldiers in retaliation for the slaughter of four Irish rebels.

Why is the title Guests of the Nation ironic?

In the short story, “Guests of the Nation,” Frank O’Connor uses irony to illustrate the conflict which men face when their roles as combatants force them to disregard the humanity of their enemies. In both life and literature, irony exists when there is a contrast between expectation and reality.

Is Guests of the Nation a true story?

“Guests of the Nation,” one of several early O’Connor stories about the Irish gunman, reflects his own experiences while fighting on the losing Republican side during the Irish Civil War.

What does Belcher symbolize?

He states that he never understood the concept of “duty.” Donovan and Belcher symbolize the great number of Irish and English soldiers caught up in the War of Independence who felt obligated to serve their respective countries.

What historical event provides the setting for Guests of the Nation?

Set during the Troubles, the revolutionary period between the Easter Rising in 1916 and the signing of the Home Rule treaty at the end of 1921, O’Connor’s narrative of rebels and hostages reveals the conflicts not only between the Irish and their unwelcome “guests” but also among the revolutionaries themselves.

What is Bonaparte’s role in the execution?

Bonaparte grows attached to Belcher and Awkins, and he protests the decision to execute the prisoners, even daydreaming about confronting his fellow soldiers to protect them.

What does the title of the story guests of the nation mean?

The title of the story, “Guests of the Nation” is a symbol of the Englishmen who are guests of the Irish nation. The story takes place during the War of Independence and because of that Ireland is still a part of Britain. Ireland wanted their independence from England so they started a war because England wouldn’t…

What is the plot of guests of the nation by Frank O Connor?

“Guests of the Nation” by Frank O’Connor. “Guests of the Nation” is a story that takes place in Ireland during The War of Independence. It’s about a friendship between three Irish men and two English men. The three Irish men, Bonaparte, Noble and Jeremiah are holding the two Englishmen Belcher and Hawkins as hostages.

How do I track the themes in guests of the nation?

LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Guests of the Nation, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Describing an evening routine, the narrator (whose name is later revealed to be Bonaparte) describes how Belcher would pull his legs out of the ashes of the fireplace and ask, “Well chums, what about it?”

Why does O’Connor use surnames in guests of the nation?

…Natural Empathy: Duty and Responsibility in “Guests of the Nation” Frank O’Connor uses character surnames in his story “Guests of the Nation” to help develop the characters of the English and Irish soldiers. The characters engage in a struggle between hidden powers of empathy and duty, and O’Connor displays their first-person point of v…