In The Sniper Character Analysis

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According to a survey administered to Carterville’s seventh grade, only 24 percent of the grade could name three countries part of the World War II Allies (McKinney). Considering the magnitude of World War II and its global impact, it is shocking that only a small portion of Carterville seventh graders learned this World War II fact through their own curiosity. Furthermore, only three percent of the seventh grade class could name a notable sniper of World War II. World War II was a huge conflict that began in the late 1930’s, when Germany invaded Poland. Two sides formed, the Allies and the Axis Powers. The Allies were led by the British, French, Soviets, and Americans; the Axis Powers were led by the Germans, Japanese, and Italians. The …show more content…

She works with the secret police and then trains as a Soviet sniper (with her commander Vasily Zaitsev). The Sniper focused on her character development, her real story, and how different supporting characters helped her develop. Snipers have been used extensively in modern war; their silence, precision, and reliability made them virtually invaluable in World War II. Many British and Soviet snipers were highly successful; the British were trained in camouflage as well as combat, and the Soviets fought bravely in the battle of Stalingrad. Soldiers, such as Vasily Zaitsev, a Soviet sniper in The Battle of Stalingrad, and Simo Hayha, a Finnish sniper during The Winter War, became publicly celebrated heroes for their skill. James Riordan’s The Sniper aids the reader in understanding the role of Snipers in World War II, by personalizing Zaytsev, accurately describing his tactics, and describing the lifestyle and hardships of an active Stalingrad …show more content…

However, 85 percent of the students wanted to learn more about World War II (McKinney). British and Soviet snipers were also highly successful, a byproduct of training extensively and enduring harsh combat conditions. Yet only 24 percent of seventh graders knew that they were part of the Allies (McKinney). James Riordan’s The Sniper describes the role of Snipers in World War II; Riordan addresses the issue students face when wanting to learn more about World War II snipers, by providing a way for students to learn about them in their free time. Men who risked their lives for their country, men who endured some of the harshest war conditions, men who tried hard to serve and defend their country do not deserve to lay forgotten in history books. Snipers were a huge part of World War II, but surveyed seventh graders do not know that. Their contributions to the war effort were irreplaceable. Whether they be British or Soviet, Finnish or German, World War II snipers were a powerful, but often overlooked,

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