The Sniper

¡§The Sniper¡¨ places a strong emphasis on the evils of war, and yet paints a vivid image of mankind¡¦s¡¦ qualities and their society. Employing the technique of describing one particular sniper to symbolise a general subject, readers are able to gain a deep insight into the evils of war. In this story, the assembly of setting, contrasting characters and themes of fanaticism and division of loyalties are vital to conveying the horror of war. On the other hand, ¡§The Sniper¡¨ also discusses the power of war, depicting it as the decider of life and death for men. Its force is further emphasised when neighbours are turned into enemies under war¡¦s influence.





The setting of the story, Dublin, has been written in such a way that only highly negative images are conveyed to portray evil. From the beginning to the end, Dublin is seen as an insecure, fearful, and vulnerable town abundant with weapons of war and associated horror. ¡§Dublin lay enveloped in darkness¡¨ instantly transmits a sense of mystery, weariness and fear. This negative image is strengthened by ¡§Around the beleaguered Four Courts the heavy guns roared. Here and there through the city machine guns and rifles broke the silence of the night, spasmodically like dogs barking on lone farm.¡¨ Dublin can be almost compared to a person, who has struggled under stress and is now defeated. The city is empty, apart from the roar of ¡§machine guns and rifles¡¨ which have converted the city not a place of misery and barrenness. The only other indication of scene is a parapet, which is a barricade. All these images of isolation, domination of war and misery are intended to show the detrimental impacts that war can bring, and at the same time illustrate the evils of war.





Characters in ¡§The Sniper¡¨ are limited in terms of type and variety to show that war brings out only people who possesses a passion to kill and have the courage to be killed. The story focuses on only one sniper...