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Code Red In A Few Good Men

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In 1692 colonial Massachusetts, the Salem Witch Trials were in full blast terrorizing the small, beachside town of salem along with other parts of Massachusetts. Hysteria overtook the nation, and everyone was considered guilty until proven innocent. This is seen in Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, which takes place during the Salem Witch Trials. Throughout the trials, the citizens are frantic and hundreds of people are being accused of a crime that they did not commit: witchcraft. One of the crucial questions that haunts everyone’s mind is whether to admit to the accusation, and receive a lesser punishment, or keep their honor, but ultimately be killed. Similarly, in Aaron Sorkin’s movie, A Few Good Men, two marines, Harold W. Dawson and …show more content…

Despite it being illegal, the procedure takes place when a fellow marine is slacking or can’t keep up with the rest of the pack. What typically happens is: multiple marines will take matters into their own hands and physically or mentally intimidate the man in order to deter him from slacking off. In A Few Good Men, Louden Downey and Harold Dawson perform a “Code Red” on fellow marine, William Santiago. During the procedure, Santiago dies. Dawson and Downey are brought to court and they are accused of intentionally poisoning and killing the man. However, they feel that they are innocent, and they must prove that it was a medical condition, and not poison that killed Santiago. In addition to his cause of death, they must also prove that they were ordered to give him the Code Red by a higher standing officer. Ultimately, the Marines choose their honor over their freedom. Specifically, Dawson is adamant about keeping his dignity and his respect in the Marine Corps. When offered a minimal punishment, he states, “Now you're asking us to sign a piece of paper that says we have no honor. You're asking us to say we're not Marines. If a court decides that what we did was wrong, then I'll accept whatever punishment they give. But I believe I was right sir, I believe I did my job, and I will not dishonor myself, my unit, or the Corps so I can go home in six

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