"The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty showcases a new perspective of the broader consequences of war, and how it continues to affect our societies today. 

Calvin Klein  ·  The Calvin Party of AB  ·  Posted: Oct 22, 2023 3:00 PM MDT (edit: Oct 22, 2023 4:23 PM)

Tensions arise between Hamas and Israel as Israel prepares for "the next stages of war" as they prepare for possible "strikes from the air, sea, and land" with "significant ground operations" - Source: CNN News

A look at the facts.

Experts estimate that roughly 1,600 - 2,000 people died in the Ireland Civil War between the Republicans and the Free Staters back in the 19th century. This is while half a million soldiers died in the Russian-Ukraine Invasion according to estimates, while roughly 5,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza following Israeli attacks just yesterday on October 21st, 2023. In these recent attacks, the number of fatalities within a week exceeded the annual death toll during the Ireland civil war, highlighting the rapid evolution of dangerous weaponry and explosive missiles accessible to dangerous groups seeking to cause the most amount of fatalities within the shortest amount of time. With the recent Hamas attacks on the Israeli state and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, war is like a guaranteed consequence of human civilization that  is something many have and will endure.

Why the author wrote this story

Did you know that the suicide rate of a war veteran in the United States is roughly 1.5 times higher compared to the average citizen? 7 out of 100, or 7% of total war veterans will have PTSD in their lifetime; that's compared to 6% within the general population. Although we associate war and violence only with people killing people, war brings consequences beyond mere death and destruction. It affects every aspect of society and affects individuals, families, communities, economies and our planet to a global stage. It brings an emotional toll that sparks trauma that can last for generations. The truth is, in war, nobody is a winner as we all have something to lose. 

The use of the setting, situation irony, and the theme or moral of the story, Liam O'Flaherty suggests to the readers in his short story "The Sniper" that war is an awful addiction that turns brothers against brothers, families against families, and loved ones against loved ones. It shows how even familial bonds can be destroyed by the relentless machinery of conflict. It shows how even family relationships can be destroyed by unrelenting conflict machinery. When we get so caught up in the pursuit of revenge, conquest, and power, our morale deteriorates and the consequences can be forgotten. The brutality of war can slowly tear us away from our personal relationships, along with our identity and moral compass. Violence compels us to forget of our shared identities, causing us to forget our common identity. We lead lives with our own distinct circles of friends, families, ambitions, and aspirations; all of which can be ended in an instant. 

In the story, "the sniper looked at his enemy falling and he shuddered" highlights the immediate shock and realization of taking another person's life. It shows a capacity for empathy and compassion, knowing that you've ended another human's life; a human with a family, and a human with ambition. The quote "he became bitten by remorse" further shows the sniper's emotional toll. It shows the moral weight he carries for his actions, and the inner dilemma that it brings, Lastly, the quote "His teeth chattered, he began to gibber to himself, cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody" highlights the sniper's descent into distress. Together, these quotes convey the overall thematic statement regarding the consequences of war, and the line where humanity and inhumanity blur the pressures of warfare and violence. Overall, the protagonist's alcohol addiction serves as a symbol of emotional trauma and internal suffering, where alcohol is used as a coping mechanism. 

Humans as a species are known to be greedy; we're constantly in pursuit of expanding our empire, our beliefs, and our coalitions. It's normal for humans to share different opinions and to disagree with one another, and to have opinions that interlace. But when our beliefs diverge, it can result in deadly consequences that result to war, conflict, and violence. To kill is to end someone's life. As we're met with conflict, it becomes clear that the quest for a more peaceful and compassionate resolution should become the norm as it enables humanity to bond, resolve, and live in a world where humans are seen as human beings instead of instruments of violence.

After reading “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty, explain why you think the sniper decides to put himself in harm’s way by going over to look at the other sniper. What motivates him to do this?  Be sure to provide evidence from the story that supports your position.

In "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty, the protagonist, an Irish Republican Army sniper, exchanges a series of intense gunfire towards an enemy Free Stater, to which he then becomes victorious. Gunning down his opponent, the Republican Sniper gains a sense of curiosity to identify the victim whom he gunned down while putting himself in harm's way to do so. This was driven by a variety and mix of different factors. The first contributing factor is likely driven by his sense of curiosity. He was described as having "felt a sudden curiosity as to the identity of the enemy sniper whom he had killed". When he sees the flash of light from the enemy sniper's rifle, he realizes that his opponent was a young, inexperienced soldier. This revelation further drove his curious nature to venture over to his victim's body to further investigate. Nearing the end of the story, "the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother’s face". The revelation that he killed his own blood-related brother is one of the key factors and components of the story's thematic statement and theme; the idea of how war causes us to become ruthless creatures that can shatter families and relationships. Another reason why the sniper may have been brave enough to go over to identify his victim was due to the fact that he was an "experienced" sniper that has had numerous experiences in the battlefield. 

The sniper's courage in venturing towards his fallen adversary may also be attributed to his extensive experience as a marksman who has faced numerous similar combat situations, which can be supported through his "calm demeanor", his "sniper skills", his "strategic thinking", and his knowledge of the city and combat. It was evident that the Republican Sniper was likely met with a lot of trauma, judging that he was an alcoholic and one who had "the eyes of a man who is used to looking at death". He's likely killed numerous individuals before, each contributing to his trauma. Identifying his enemy likely created a sense of closure, where seeing the face of his victim could be a way to help him cope with his trauma. Additionally, being drunk may mean that he wasn't sober and wasn't able to think properly, therefore, not being fully conscious of his situation. Whatever it may be that influenced the Republican sniper to venture toward his victim's body, this story provides a reminder of how we can turn brothers against brothers, and against family bonds. The sniper's decision to approach the fallen enemy ultimately contributes to the theme and overall message of the story.