Summary of “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty

The story is set during the Irish Civil War, where fierce battles between the Republicans and the Free Staters are taking place in Dublin. As the night falls, gunfire echoes around the city, particularly near the Four Courts area.

A Republican sniper is positioned on a rooftop near O’Connell Bridge. Hungry and thirsty, he eats a sandwich and takes a sip of whiskey before risking a smoke. As he lights a cigarette, a bullet narrowly misses him, prompting him to look across the street for the enemy sniper. Another shot follows quickly, indicating the enemy is watching closely.

An armored vehicle drives up the street and an old woman, acting as an informant, points towards the sniper’s position. Seizing the moment, the sniper kills the man in the vehicle’s turret and then the woman as she tries to flee. The vehicle speeds away, leaving the sniper to deal with an immediate threat: a bullet from the enemy sniper hits him, wounding his arm and causing him to drop his rifle.

Despite the injury, the sniper devises a clever ruse to outwit his opponent. He places his cap on his rifle and raises it just above the parapet. When the enemy sniper shoots at the cap, believing it to be the sniper’s head, the Republican sniper lets the cap and rifle fall, creating the illusion of his death. When the enemy sniper stands up, thinking he has won, the Republican sniper shoots him with a revolver, and the enemy falls to the ground below.

Overcome with a mix of guilt and anger, the sniper throws his revolver, which discharges upon hitting the ground. The near miss snaps him out of his emotional turmoil. He drinks the last of his whiskey, then heads down to the street, curious to see the face of his fallen adversary. Upon turning the body over, he discovers that the enemy sniper is his own brother.

Structure of “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty

“The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty follows a linear plot structure, characterized by a chronological sequence of events that unfold over the span of a few hours during the Irish Civil War. The story begins in medias res (in the midst of things), immediately engaging the reader with the action already underway.

Exposition

The exposition introduces the setting and the protagonist. The Republican sniper is positioned on a rooftop in Dublin, observing the city as night falls. The initial action begins with the arrival of an armored car, which the sniper witnesses from his vantage point (p. 129, l. 1). This setup situates the reader in the middle of the conflict and sets the stage for the ensuing action.

Rising Action

The rising action encompasses a series of quick, successive events that build tension. The sniper’s decision to light a cigarette betrays his position to an enemy sniper, initiating the primary conflict. As the sniper reacts to this threat, additional conflicts arise:

Armored Car and Informer: An armored car appears, and an old woman, acting as an informer, points out the sniper’s position. The sniper kills the man in the turret and the informer, increasing the stakes.

Wounding: The sniper is hit by a bullet from the enemy sniper across the street, creating a critical complication. He must now contend with his injury while devising a plan to survive.

Climax

The climax occurs when the sniper successfully deceives the enemy sniper into thinking he is dead. By placing his cap on his rifle and raising it above the parapet, he lures the enemy into revealing his position. The sniper then shoots the enemy, who falls to the street below (p. 130, ll. 35-40). This moment of triumph is immediately followed by a profound sense of guilt, marking a shift from external to internal conflict.

Falling Action

In the falling action, the sniper experiences a mix of relief, guilt, and remorse. He throws his revolver in frustration, causing it to discharge and narrowly miss him, which shocks him back to his senses. He then drinks the last of his whiskey to calm himself and decides to report to his commander.

Resolution

The resolution delivers a powerful and tragic twist. The sniper, driven by curiosity and a lingering sense of guilt, goes to the street to identify the enemy sniper he has killed. Upon turning over the body, he discovers that the enemy sniper is his brother. This revelation underscores the story’s commentary on the personal and familial costs of civil war, where ideological conflicts result in tragic personal consequences.

Analysis of “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty

Liam O’Flaherty’s short story “The Sniper” employs a linear, chronological plot structure, capturing events that unfold over the course of a few hours. This structure enhances the story’s immediacy and urgency, reflecting the intense and perilous situation of the protagonist.

Characters

The main character is the Republican sniper, whose perspective drives the narrative. The enemy sniper is another significant character, serving as both the antagonist and a key element in the story’s twist ending. The external conflict between these two snipers culminates in the death of the enemy sniper, who is later revealed to be the protagonist’s brother, adding a deeply personal dimension to the story’s conclusion.

Setting

The physical setting is a street in Dublin, Ireland, during the Irish Civil War, specifically around the time of the Battle of the Four Courts in June 1922. The action takes place over a few hours on a summer night, emphasizing the tense, fleeting moments of combat. The social setting delves into the harsh realities of civil war, highlighting the divisions and betrayals that tear apart communities and families.

Point of View

The story is narrated from a third-person limited point of view, focusing closely on the thoughts and feelings of the Republican sniper. This perspective allows readers to experience the sniper’s internal conflict and emotional turmoil, providing a window into his psyche as he navigates the dangers and moral ambiguities of war.

Language and Style

The language in “The Sniper” is casual and conversational, using straightforward, common words and phrases. O’Flaherty’s use of short, fragmented sentences heightens the sense of urgency and suspense, mirroring the rapid, chaotic nature of the sniper’s environment and the life-or-death decisions he must make.

Themes

Key themes in “The Sniper” include the brutality and futility of war, the personal and familial costs of civil strife, and the psychological impact of violence. The story illustrates how war dehumanizes individuals and blurs the lines between right and wrong, as seen in the sniper’s practical yet morally troubling actions. The shocking revelation that the enemy sniper is his brother serves as a powerful commentary on the tragic consequences of civil war, where ideological conflicts lead to profound personal losses and the destruction of familial bonds.

In summary, O’Flaherty’s “The Sniper” effectively combines a straightforward plot, a focused narrative perspective, and a tense, urgent style to explore the devastating effects of war on individuals and their relationships. The story’s powerful ending underscores the senselessness of violence and the deep personal costs borne by those caught in its grip.