Adam vs Oram Compare and Contrast

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Adam vs. Oram Moral dilemma is a conflict in which you must choose among two or more events with your own values and standards for judging right and wrong. In the short stories The Firing Squad, by Colin McDougall and Gentlemen, Your Verdict, by Michael Bruce, both authors incorporate a moral dilemma into their stories. Captain John Adam from “The Firing Squad,” and Lieutenant-Commander Oram from “Gentlemen, Your Verdict,” are selfless men. Both characters, Adam and Oram, are facing a problem where they must decide what is right. Captain John Adam is to kill Private Jones for a murder he did not commit; Lieutenant-Commander Oram is to either have his entire crew die or kill fifteen of his men, including himself, to save five married men. These characters, although alike, are quite different. Lieutenant-Commander Oram is decisive and brave, while Captain John Adam is indecisive, and quite a coward. Although they do bear some similarities, the differences between Captain John Adam and Lieutenant-Commander Oram are clear. Captain John Adam and Lieutenant-Commander Oram are similarly selfless. Captain Adam is not able to decide if this execution should take place, but soon he realizes the right decision. Not long before the execution, “Adam [turns toward] Brigadier Hatfield. Sir, he called clearly. I refuse to carry out this order!” (86). The reader can assume execution is inevitable, until Adam took a stand and Private Jones is safe. Along with this choice Adam put himself in the position of potential death; showing how much devotion he has in order to save Private Jones. Oram is a selfless man as well. While speaking with the shore station Oram said I “am going to join the others. Good-bye sir” (25). Leaving everything behind with no second thoughts he went on to join the rest of his crew. Moreover, Lieutenant-Commander Oram is a very decisive man. When it comes
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