“The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty page 162 Topic TitlesNotes _____________________________________________________________ Biography of author Born 1896, died Fought in WWI, traveled world, in 1920 joined Irish Republican Army (IRA).Became a writer. Point of view Limited third from the perspective (thoughts) of the IRA sniper. Quote: “He became bitten by remorse” (O’Flaherty 166). Setting – where : Dublin, Ireland. Next to River Liffey. On a rooftop. Says on page 163. When: Irish Civil War, Says in “Build Background.” Night time in June. Says on page 163

Title Details ProtagonistThe sniper (IRA). He is a student, he is smart, he is a good shot, he drinks whiskey and smokes. AntagonistThe sniper on the other roof (his brother, the Free Stater) OR the Civil War which was a fight between the IRA and Free Staters over Northern Ireland. Type of conflict: Internal: IRA Sniper has to come up with a plan and steady his nerves. External: Sniper on other roof (Free Stater) is shooting at him; when daylight comes, he will be easy to see and kill so must act fast. Foreshadowing:“…the eyes of a man who is used to looking at death” (O’Flaherty 164). This quote suggests that the IRA sniper will see death again during the story.

Title Details Exposition:Description of area of city and description of Republican sniper. Rising action:Eats sandwich, lights cigarette, gets shot at, shoots turret gunner and old lady informant, gets shot in arm by other sniper, dresses wound, comes up with plan to fool other sniper that he has hit the Republican sniper, shoots other sniper, has panic attack, climbs down from roof, goes to look at dead sniper. Climax:Rolls over dead sniper and finds out he is the Republican sniper’s brother. Falling action:None Tone:Sinister tone: “…the eyes of a man who is used to looking at death” (O’Flaherty 164).

Title Details Special device: Simile: “…the city machine guns and rifles broke the silence of the night, like dogs barking on lone farms” (O’Flaherty163). Theme: Civil war turns brothers and families into enemies. Civil war is therefore even more horrific than war against a foreign enemy. Q1: “Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother’s face” (O’Flaherty 166). Q2: “He wondered if he knew him” (O’Flaherty 166). Q3: “Republicans and Free Staters were waging civil war” (O’Flaherty 166). 4.

Title Details Symbol – there is no useful symbol in this story. Summary: This is where you write a summary of the main points of the story Britain The U.K. Ireland Northern Ireland England Wales Scotland