The short story “Guests of the Nation” shows us how authority
which is the result of civilization, which is established to bring order and
prevent chaos, ironically leads to the death of morality and humanity, the very
ideals it is meant to uphold.
It is human nature to bond with one another. It is natural
for us to associate and identify ourselves with other human beings but civilization
and authority makes us act against our natural selves. It creates factions and
boundaries between people.
In the old woman’s house, away from the military camps, away
from authority and order the soldiers and the war prisoners forget the fact
that they are enemies. Like a bunch of good, close friends they chat, laugh,
crack jokes and pull each other’s legs.
There is also a free and unrestrained exchange of cultures
in the old woman’s house. Hawkins learns to dance for a few Irish songs and Nobel
and Bonaparte learn some ‘curious’ English expressions. Though there are heated
arguments between Hawkins and Nobel about capitalism and socialism, atheism and
theism, they do not fail to see each other as fellow human beings with
feelings, until the orders come.
At this point Nobel and Bonaparte go through a lot of
conflict. They are forced to act against their conscience; they are forced to
cross the moral premise that one should not harm a friend or fellow human being.
They submit themselves to authority and fail to stand for their friendship.
Hence fraternity and equality exist only in the
absence of authority.
