The Sniper Theme Essay

Fiction relates to real life because what happens in the story could really happen. Some examples include families can be driven apart, someone could die, or someone’s wish could come true. Just like fairy tales, what happens in the book could really happen. Themes are to allow people to learn something from the story if there was not a theme you would not know what’s going on in the story. O’Flaherty illustrates the negative effects of war in “The Sniper” thought the examples of political beliefs, loss of life, and self-sacrifice.

Many political beliefs break families apart. Sister to sister, brother to brother, or mother to father. Often times it break out in war. The author stated, “Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother’s face.” (265). The author is describing that the sniper saw when he turned the body over, the emotions and thoughts racing through his head. It was described so perfectly a reader could just imagine the

guilt and pain he is feeling about this incident. Second, “They were deep and thoughtful, the eyes of a man who is used to looking at death.” (262). This is not the first time war had broken out about political issues. Many times have families been torn apart because of bias opinions about what they think is right. While war is going on there will be loss of life. Even some of their own kind could be killed, maybe some of their own family, war is unpredictable and this quote explained that this is not the first time the sniper has seen this. “The sniper raised his rifle and fired. The head fell heavily on the turret wall. The sniper fired again. The women whirled round and fell with a shriek into the gutter.” (263). The sniper had to kill two people because they gave away his location. This could have been serious if that had not been done. Many people in the army today are worried that their hidden location will be revealed be there on edge just like this sniper was. He protected him and his fellow soldiers by shooting dead both the women and the guy. “His enemy had been hit. He was reeling over the parapet in his death agony.” (264). At this moment there were town snipers across the street from each other and one got shot and killed. The loss of life happens all the time during war and daily life.

Many people sacrifice themselves every day.

Whether it’s being killed, shot, playing a game or etc. Many people volunteer as tribute all the time in any situation if one person does not want to do it, or they do not want that person to do it. “Dropping flat onto the roof he crawled back to the parapet. With his left hand he felt the injured right forearm.” (263). The sniper was shot in the forearm and had to crawl behind the parapet to not be in range of being shot again. Even with the injured arm he still managed to kill the sniper who had shot him in the arm. The author stated, “Almost immediately there was a report and a bullet pierced the center of the cap.” (264). The sniper had a plan to kill the other sniper. He placed his helmet down so it could be shot at, then threw his arm over and dropped one of his guns. Once the other sniper thought he was dead and stood up he was shot and killed by the mastermind behind the whole thing. People sacrifice, all the time, this sniper got shot and killed for

his.

In conclusion, the story “The Sniper” really influenced readers to do what you believe in but there will be some costs. “The Sniper” explains how life is today, everything is explained perfectly and makes the reader feel like they’re the sniper like they are in the story. Lots of families are fighting against each other because of political beliefs. Many families are grieving because they lost a loved one in war. Lastly many people sacrifice themselves just to help others out.