"The Sniper" is a short story by Irish writer Liam O'Flaherty, first published in 1923. Set during the Irish Civil War, the story follows a Republican sniper who is positioned on a rooftop in Dublin, waiting for his enemy, a Free State sniper, to show himself. As the two snipers play a deadly game of cat and mouse, they are forced to confront the reality of war and their own mortality.
The story is told from the perspective of the Republican sniper, and we see the world through his eyes. The narrative is sparse and straightforward, with the focus on the sniper's thoughts and actions as he waits for his prey. The atmosphere is tense and oppressive, as the sniper must constantly stay alert and keep his finger on the trigger, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
One of the central themes of the story is the dehumanizing effects of war. The Republican sniper is described as being "gray with fatigue and the dust of the chalk" and his face is "haggard." He is reduced to a mere shadow of his former self, consumed by the violence and brutality of war. Similarly, the Free State sniper is depicted as a faceless, nameless enemy, a faceless threat that the Republican sniper must eliminate in order to survive.
Another important theme in the story is the idea of brotherhood. Despite being enemies on the battlefield, the two snipers are linked by their shared Irish heritage and their shared experiences of war. When the Republican sniper finally shoots and kills the Free State sniper, he is overcome with grief and regret, realizing that he has taken the life of a fellow Irishman. This moment of realization highlights the futility and absurdity of war, as the two snipers are forced to fight and kill each other for no other reason than the political ideology they represent.
Overall, "The Sniper" is a powerful and thought-provoking story that offers a poignant commentary on the horrors of war and the dehumanizing effects it has on those who are caught up in it. Through the experiences of the Republican sniper, the story illustrates the devastating impact of conflict on individuals and societies, and the importance of finding ways to avoid and resolve conflicts peacefully.