The Sniper Character Analysis Essay

464 Words1 Page

There are many moments within this story, The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty where he describes the problems consistent in battles big or small. Mainly the author sends us a message that war can cause separation in relationships, regret in soldiers, and change in people. Throughout wars, relationships will split and end. Despite the fact it be family and friends. In The Sniper, the author writes "He wondered did he know him. Perhaps he had been in his own company before the split in the army"(Liam O'Flaherty, 3). Later on it is revealed that it is his brother he had shot "Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother's face"(Liam O'Flaherty, 3). Though the republican sniper was not aware that the enemy sniper was his brother. They were still fighting against one another and therefore had to split previously, and shows that countries will crack because of different views in an instant.
Secondly wars cause people to be regretful especially soldiers. They cram themselves with guilt and shame and never forget what they have done in the past. In this story there are many points where the sniper would feel remorse and culpability. At one point in the story the sniper was shot with unexpected anger, "The sniper looked at …show more content…

When the sniper got shot it alters his life. "There was a small hole where the bullet had entered. On the other side there was no hole"(Liam O'Flaherty, 2). Getting shot can change a person's actions in the future and also put them in danger if not treated. Though the sniper was not shot In the heart he could still die or become paralyzed from blood loss, infection and other injuries. The writer has told us that war can never really be won and is a devastating act causing the break of relations, compunction over army's and alternate futures for everyone affected by

Show More
Related

  • Uncle Basil In The Sniper

    495 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the story, “The Sniper”, The sniper showed that he was an intelligent soldier. In the beginning, after Being shot by the enemy sniper the sniper took care of his wound and was able to compose himself and think of a plan. Thinking he had won the battle after the snipers successful decoy the enemy sniper dropped his guard and the second he did the sniper

    Read More

  • In Liam O'Flaherty´s The Sniper, all of these are brought to an acute reality in a single war-torn city.

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Liam O'Flaherty's "The Sniper," all of these. are brought to an acute reality in a single war-torn city. Strong cerebral convictions and opposing philosophies, due to which people want to destroy the seemingly “wrong” plague this world and are the ones who are the ones who are the main reason for the plight. To aid in his creation of such emotional conflict, turmoil and plight, the author has portrayed the sniper as a very controversial character in the story. This story is oriented around one character in the Civil War which he should not even be in as he is. mentioned to be a “student” in the story.

    Read More

  • The Guilt They Carried in Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the aftermath of a comparatively minor misfortune, all parties concerned seem to be eager to direct the blame to someone or something else. It seems so easy to pin down one specific mistake that caused everything else to go wrong in an everyday situation. However, war is a vastly different story. War is ambiguous, an enormous and intangible event, and it cannot simply be blamed for the resulting deaths for which it is indirectly responsible. Tim O’Brien’s story, “In the Field,” illustrates whom the soldiers turn to with the massive burden of responsibility for a tragedy. The horrible circumstances of war transform all involved and tinge them with an absurd feeling of personal responsibility as they struggle to cope.

    Read More

  • The Sniper by Liam O´Flaherty and Just Lather, That´s All by Hernando Tellez

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    Murder is a reprobate action that is an inevitable part of war. It forces humans into immoral acts, which can manifest in the forms such as shooting or close combat. The life of a soldier is ultimately decided from the killer, whether or not he follows through with his actions. In the short stories The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty and Just Lather, That's All by Hernando Téllez, the killer must decide the fate of their victims under circumstantial constraints. The two story explore the difference between killing at a close proximity compared to killing at a distance, and how they affect the killer's final decision.

    Read More

  • Liam O Flaherty's Use Of Suspense In The Sniper

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    Liam O’Flaherty’s realistic fiction story, “The Sniper,” takes place in Dublin, Ireland, where there is a civil war waging between Republicans and Free Staters. The Republican sniper, who is the main character in the story, is fighting in the civil war for the Republican organization. There are numerous amounts of people who are attempting to assassinate the sniper because of his organization, and his enemies are located all around him waiting patiently until they gain their chance. The Republican sniper, however, leaps before he looks most times, thus leading to severe consequences throughout the story. By using description and suspense, O’Flaherty creates the lesson that actions, without thought, will lead to consequences.

    Read More

  • Who Is The Antagonist In The Sniper

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the story “The sniper”, the sniper face an external conflict and an internal conflict. His external conflict was the enemy sniper. He saw an old woman heading towards the man in the turret. The old woman was pointing at the sniper. Sniper thought

    Read More

  • The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty

    411 Words  | 1 Pages

    The basic plot of the story is based during an evening within the Irish civil wars. It tells of a republican sniper sitting on a rooftop and neutralising enemy units as the cross a bridge. When a free-states sniper shows himself on an opposite roof they wage a fierce and innovative war to see who would end up the better. Eventually the republican sniper gains the upper hand and after taking a bullet in the arm destroys the worthy opponent. After a curious inspection to the identity of the enemy sniper he finds himself looking into the eyes of his dead brother.

    Read More

  • The Sniper Mood Essay

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    The mood of the story is dark and weary. In this scene the sky is gloomy and there are Republican and Free Starter soldiers fighting in the  Irish Civil war, “The long June twilight faded into the night. Dublin lay enveloped in darkness but for the dim light of the moon that shone through the fleecy clouds.. machine guns and rifles broke the silence of the night, spasmodically” (O’Flaherty 1). Although the mood of the story is creepy and dim for the most part, it is silent with the sudden sounds of guns firing. As the story progresses, the sniper’s emotions begin reflecting on his actions. He begins to feel guilt and remorse for killing someone and the mood shifts to tension and violence.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of American Sniper

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    American Sniper is a heart-wrenching piece about a man who was willing to sacrifice his life for his country. Written primarily by Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history, this memoir is interspersed with revealing excerpts told by his wife, Taya. This literary device, known as “change in narrator,” distinguishes his work from others’. Kyle demonstrates his style through his use of change in narrator; this provides greater emotional context, examines different perspectives, and enhances reader understanding.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Film American Sniper

    1587 Words  | 4 Pages

    "There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful thananything that bleeds. Don 't wait until you break. - Laurell Hamilton" This is oftentimes the sentiment felt by soldiers who have served in active duty and have been witnesses to tragedies that leave them emotionally scarred. The Clint Eastwood directed film, American Sniper is amovie that features the real life tragedy of American soldier, Chris Kyle, who served in theUnited States military as a Navy Seal, which is an elite group (Kenny, 2014 and Treitschke,2015). His story is unique in that he himself suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), but as he worked to recover, he valiantly served again by helping fellow soldiers withPTSD ("Chris Kyle," 2013), and was senselessly gunned

    Read More

  • Ten Kliks South Analysis

    440 Words  | 1 Pages

    It is apparent that the topic of war is difficult to discuss among active duty soldiers and civilians. Often times, citizens are unable to understand the mental, physical, and physiological burden service members experience. In Phil Klay’s Ten Kliks South, the narrator struggles to cope with the idea that his artillery team has killed enemy forces. In the early stages of the story, the narrator is clearly confused. He understands that he did his part in firing off the artillery rounds, yet he cannot admit to killing the opposition. In order to suppress his guilt and uncertainty, our narrator searches for guidance and reassurance of his actions. He meets with an old gunnery sergeant and during their conversation, our narrator’s innocence

    Read More

  • Comparing The Sniper 'And' Just Lather That's All

    526 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Sniper” the conflict is man vs man, which means main character is tasked with killing his enemy, but it proves to be quite a challenge. Even though there were many challenges the sniper followed through with his job and persevered even after he was shot in the arm. Wanting to kill his enemy, stay alive, and be one step closer to ending the war was his main goals. Being brave, he took off his hat, placed it on his gun, and raised it above the edge of the roof. Instantly the enemy shot at it and the sniper, pretending to be dead, waited until the enemy got up for him to shoot him. He did some quick thinking and, with determination, handled the conflict quite well.

    Read More

  • Reading Response: Restrepo, By Sebastian Junger

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    This is clear evidence that war is really tough and soldiers experience a lot when fighting out there. There is a lot of psychological torture which these soldiers experience. They place their lives on the line just to fight for their nation and people. Junger recounts an experience where soldiers have to expose themselves just to save injured comrades. This is indeed a courageous act considering the fact that there are gun shots all over and any minute a bullet can land on anyone. It is indeed the highest risk that could ever be taken. For those who survive, it is simply luck. Junger notes that the soldiers look out for each other (Junger 56). The soldiers have a very strong connection with each other and it is common to hear some admitting that they could die if their comrade gets killed. J...

    Read More

  • The Psychological Effects of War Exposed in The Sniper by Liam O’Flaherty

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    War can destroy a man both in body and mind for the rest of his life. In “The Sniper,” Liam O’Flaherty suggests the horror of war not only by presenting its physical dangers, but also by showing its psychological effects. We are left to wonder which has the longer lasting effect—the visible physical scars or the ones on the inside?

    Read More

  • The American Sniper Analysis

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    The setting to “The Sniper” plays a vital role in understanding the meaning O’Flaherty was trying to convey. The main character is sitting on a rooftop near O’Connell Bridge in Dublin Ireland. During the Irish Civil War, the river that flowed beneath the bridge, was the dividing line in the Battle of Dublin. From the beginning, when civilians watched the opening attacks from atop the bridge, to the end, when it shook from the final bombing that forced the Republicans to surrender, the bridge was a key factor to the end result of the war. (Black,

    Read More

More about The Sniper Character Analysis Essay

Open Document