About the Author: Liam O’Flaherty
Liam O’Flaherty (1896–1984) was an Irish novelist and short story writer known for his realistic and often bleak portrayals of war, poverty, and human suffering. Born on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, O’Flaherty grew up in a Gaelic-speaking community steeped in Irish traditions.
His experiences as a soldier in World War I deeply influenced his writing. The horrors he witnessed in battle shaped his views on violence and conflict, themes that appear throughout his works, including The Sniper. O’Flaherty was also politically engaged and sympathized with the anti-Treaty forces during the Irish Civil War.
His literary style is marked by concise prose, vivid imagery, and psychological depth, which make The Sniper a powerful and haunting story about the personal cost of war.
1. Historical Background
📖 Read:
The Sniper is set during the Irish Civil War (1922-1923). This war followed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which divided Ireland into:
- Pro-Treaty forces (supporters of the Irish Free State)
- Anti-Treaty forces (opponents seeking full independence)
This war was particularly tragic because it pitted Irish citizens against each other—sometimes even family members.
📝 Self-Check Questions:
- What was the primary cause of the Irish Civil War?
- Why do civil wars often create more personal and lasting divisions than wars between nations?
2. Genre and Style
📖 Read:
O’Flaherty uses a fast-paced, tense writing style to convey the chaos of war. His approach includes:
- Concise prose – Short, impactful sentences that increase tension.
- Vivid imagery – Strong descriptions that immerse the reader in the setting.
- Limited dialogue – The story relies on internal thoughts and narration rather than conversation.
📝 Self-Check Activity:
🔹 Find an example of a short, tense sentence in the story. Write it down. How does it make the scene feel more intense?
3. Literary Devices in “The Sniper”
📖 Read:
O’Flaherty uses several literary techniques to enhance meaning in the story.
| Device | Example | How It Affects the Story |
|---|---|---|
| Irony (unexpected outcome) | The sniper realizes he killed his own brother. | Highlights the tragedy of war. |
| Symbolism (objects representing ideas) | The sniper’s gun symbolizes both survival and destruction. | Reflects the duality of war—necessary but deadly. |
| Foreshadowing (hints at future events) | The sniper’s initial excitement. | Suggests his mood will change later in the story. |
📝 Self-Check Activity:
🔹 Choose one literary device and find an example from the story. Write a short paragraph explaining how it contributes to the theme.
4. Themes in “The Sniper”
📖 Read:
This story explores several important themes:
- The Futility of Civil War – The sniper realizes he killed his own brother, showing that war turns people against each other needlessly.
- The Dehumanizing Effects of War – At first, the sniper feels no remorse for killing—but his emotions change by the end.
- The Psychological Cost of War – The protagonist’s shock and horror show how war affects soldiers mentally.
📝 Self-Check Questions:
- How does the sniper change from the beginning to the end of the story?
- What is O’Flaherty’s main message about civil war?
5. Writing Assignment: Short Essay Task
Prompt:
Write a 500-word literary analysis essay on how O’Flaherty conveys the futility of civil war in The Sniper.
Consider the following points:
- How does the author’s use of setting contribute to the overall mood of the story?
- Analyze the protagonist’s character development throughout the narrative. How do his actions and thoughts reflect the internal conflict caused by civil war?
- Discuss the significance of the story’s twist ending. How does it reinforce the central themes of the narrative?
- Compare the sniper’s initial enthusiasm for battle with his feelings at the end of the story. What does this contrast reveal about the author’s message?
