Colin McDougall's The Firing Squad: Comparison with the Book of Genesis
Jeanna Nguyen
11/14/14
English 11-Block A
Ms. McGrath
The Firing Squad In the short story “The Firing Squad”, by Colin McDougall, many characters can be compared of those in “The Book of Genesis” from the Bible. The main character from The Firing Squad, Captain John Adam, resembles Adam from the Garden of Eden because of the confusion and temptation both characters are put throughout the course of the story. Similarly, the antagonist of The Firing Squad, Captain Brigadier Hatfield reminds the reader of the serpent from the Garden of Eden in the ways both characters are very persuasive. Another pair of characters from both stories that are comparable is Padre, who plays a guide for Adam throughout the story and God who guided Jesus through his journey. The two protagonist, Captain John Adam and Adam from the Garden of Eden not only have a shared name in common, both characters also share similar situations and attitudes throughout both stories. In the beginning of The Firing Squad the reader finds out that Captain John Adam is shameful of his position as a leader because of his spineless attitude just as Adam from the Garden of Eden was very shameful after eating the forbidden fruit. As the story develops Captain John Adam is put in a life changing situation, whether or not to take on the role to lead the firing squad in the execution of Private Sydney Jones. This is relatable to the situation that Adam from the Garden of Eden is in; Adam questioned whether or not he should eat the forbidden fruit just like Captain John Adam had been in doubt to lead the firing squad. In the two short stories both Captain John Adam and Adam are very tempted and bribed by both Brigadier Hatfield and the serpent. Just like Adam is bribed by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, Brigadier Hatfield tells Captain John Adam that if he were to take on the role to lead the firing squad he would be able to return to Canada as soon as he desired and he would bear Brigadier Hatfield 's
11/14/14
English 11-Block A
Ms. McGrath
The Firing Squad In the short story “The Firing Squad”, by Colin McDougall, many characters can be compared of those in “The Book of Genesis” from the Bible. The main character from The Firing Squad, Captain John Adam, resembles Adam from the Garden of Eden because of the confusion and temptation both characters are put throughout the course of the story. Similarly, the antagonist of The Firing Squad, Captain Brigadier Hatfield reminds the reader of the serpent from the Garden of Eden in the ways both characters are very persuasive. Another pair of characters from both stories that are comparable is Padre, who plays a guide for Adam throughout the story and God who guided Jesus through his journey. The two protagonist, Captain John Adam and Adam from the Garden of Eden not only have a shared name in common, both characters also share similar situations and attitudes throughout both stories. In the beginning of The Firing Squad the reader finds out that Captain John Adam is shameful of his position as a leader because of his spineless attitude just as Adam from the Garden of Eden was very shameful after eating the forbidden fruit. As the story develops Captain John Adam is put in a life changing situation, whether or not to take on the role to lead the firing squad in the execution of Private Sydney Jones. This is relatable to the situation that Adam from the Garden of Eden is in; Adam questioned whether or not he should eat the forbidden fruit just like Captain John Adam had been in doubt to lead the firing squad. In the two short stories both Captain John Adam and Adam are very tempted and bribed by both Brigadier Hatfield and the serpent. Just like Adam is bribed by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit, Brigadier Hatfield tells Captain John Adam that if he were to take on the role to lead the firing squad he would be able to return to Canada as soon as he desired and he would bear Brigadier Hatfield 's