The sniper

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Recommended: The theme of the sniper

"War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, and never a good..." (Jimmy Carter, Noble Lecture, December 10, 2002.) Liam O'Flaherty's, "The Sniper" is a short story written in 1919. During this time, the Irish Republic Army was in the midst of waging a war for independence from Ireland. In the story, a young sniper, who is patiently waiting, is faced with a one on one shoot out with the enemy sniper. After being hit by the opponent, the Republican sniper pretends to fall dead, but then suddenly delivers one deadly hit and kills the one who was shooting at him. In the end of the story, the readers find out that both snipers were brothers. Throughout this war torn story the author is able to help the readers understand the concept that war knows no boundaries. Through a descriptive setting, cunning situational irony, and through setting a proper mood this main idea is clearly brought to the attention of the readers.
The setting of the story is very good in helping the readers in understanding the main theme of war knowing no bound...

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