Dehumanization In The Sniper

History tells us that war is a horrifying experience which can have an irreparable impact on the individual, society and humanity in general. Through its descriptions of the main character’s thoughts, emotions and actions, Liam O’ Flaherty’s The Sniper suggests that war has a dehumanizing effect for all involved both directly and indirectly. The main character appears to a normal person, but the harsh realities of war turns him into a cold-blooded killer devoid of any feelings. Also, the cool and collected attitude he displays in face of injury or death shows us how war hardens the hearts of those who participates in it. Lastly, the sniper’s inner struggles with his beliefs and feelings tell us that soldiers are also innocent victims

His wildly varying moods of excitement, joy, and remorse tell us that he is only human after all. When he hears the enemy approach, “his heart beat faster (2),” readying himself for the kill. He feels excited as he aims his pistol in the pitch of battle: “His hand trembled with eagerness (2).” And when he shoots the other sniper, he “uttered a cry of joy (2)”. Not until he kills his enemy does the sniper feel a sense of regret: “The lust of battle died in him. He became bitten by remorse. The sweat stood out in beads on his forehead (2).” The sight of his enemy’s lifeless body gave him a sickening feeling: “His teeth chattered, he began to gibber to himself, cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody (2)”. However, this sentiment is quickly replaced by his curiosity to look at his victim’s corpse. O’ Flaherty uses these descriptions to emphasize the sniper’s conflicting beliefs about war. There is no question on his mind that he has to do what he has to do, but succeeding events forces him to doubt the validity of his actions. This shows how the soldiers in the story are merely pawns of powerful forces, caught up in a situation where one must kill or be