- The Sniper (story)
"The Sniper" is a
short story by Irish writerLiam O'Flaherty , set during the early weeks of theIrish Civil War .It was O'Flaherty's first published work of
fiction , running in a small journal inLondon in 1923, while the war it depicted was still going on. The favorable notice it generated helped get other works by O'Flaherty published and started his career. It is widely read today insecondary school s in all English-speaking countries, since it is short, easy to read, takes place in real time, and has asurprise ending .Plot
The story is told from a
third person limited point of view about a Republicansniper near theFour Courts inDublin during the first weeks of the civil war. His name is never given and he speaks only once during the course of the story. It is dusk on a June night after a busy day of combat. He cautiously lights a cigarette knowing the consequences of such action. Due to the flash hismatch makes, he has to duck as a sniper from the opposing Free State forces fires at him. The Republican Sniper looks up as a bullet comes whizzing by. As he looks without success for the other shooter, he sees an armored car pull up. An elderly woman points in his direction, and he responds quickly, killing her and themachine gun ner in theturret . The car retreats toward the Liffey andO'Connell Street , and afterwards he shoots the old woman to prevent her from giving away his position to others. Since darkness is falling and it will soon be impossible to hit more targets, he begins to contemplate returning to his unit. However, the enemy sniper across the street forces a change in plans as he hits the Republican sniper in the rightforearm , making it impossible for him to use hisrifle . He treats the wound and comes up with a new plan. He puts his cap on the muzzle of his weapon and sticks it up where the opposing sniper can see it. Immediately, a shot hits it dead-on. He dangles his good arm over the edge of the wall and drops his rifle to the street below. The other sniper falls for the deception and begins to leave. At this point the Republican sniper gets out hisrevolver and, despite great pain and considerable distance, hits his opposite number in the head and watches his body fall to the street. This makes it possible for him to return and report to his commander. He finally allows himself to feel someremorse , and decides to risk exposing himself to enemy machine gun fire on the street to see who his enemy was, wondering if it might be someone he served alongside before the war, only to find out it was his brother.Themes and literary technique
This story has the theme of the tragedy of war, particularly civil war. The conflict was between supporters and opponents of the
Anglo-Irish Treaty .Liam O'Flaherty fought in the war as a member of theAnti-Treaty IRA against the newIrish Free State . He had also fought in theFirst World War as an officer in theIrish Guards . As a result of his experienes, O'Flaherty provides a very realistic portrait of military combat.O'Flaherty later grew deeply disillusioned with the beliefs of the Anti-Treaty Republicans and
Irish Nationalism in general, "The Sniper" reflects this feeling of the futility and waste of theIrish Civil War . Such themes can also be seen in O'Flaherty's short novel, "The Informer". Arguably, "The Sniper" also condemns the glorification of violence which O'Flaherty himself had participated in his youth.External links
* [http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/sniper.html Read the story on-line.]
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