Parker Adderson, Philosopher story
A captured Union spy ponders the meaning of death as he awaits execution. It is based on the 1892 Ambrose Bierce short story of the same name.
10 total · 1 choice · 6 major · 3 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| facing one's own execution | choice | The Union spy Parker Adderson pondered the meaning of death and what happens after death while he awaited his execution. Parker repeatedly engaged in gallows humor. |
| American Civil War | major | The story is set at a small Confederate Army camp. |
| coming to terms with one's own death | major | The condemned Union spy gave every indication that he was at peace with himself in the lead up to his execution. Although when the time came he freaked out and fatally stabbed a young lieutenant and a general. |
| espionage | major | A Union spy was condemned to death after being captured by Confederate forces. |
| military related work | major | The film shows the general goings on at a small, Confederate Army camp. |
| the nature of death | major | Parker mused philosophically about how death should not be feared. |
| war | major | The story follows the aftermath of a Union spy being caught by the confederate Army. The rules of engagement regarding a spy's execution was disregarded by the general. |
| children learning about death | minor | A soldier showed a boy how to kill a chicken. |
| compassion | minor | A young lieutenant went out of his way to ensure that the condemned man was provided with a proper last meal. |
| long-distance relationship | minor | The Confederate lieutenant told the philosopher spy about his girlfriend and showed him a picture of her. |