Skip to main content

Why does the sniper decide to risk taking a look at the corpse of the enemy sniper?

The Republican sniper may have had an idea that the Free State sniper would be someone he recognized. Many of the men who fought in the Irish Civil War had served together in the Irish Republican Army which had waged war against the British, gaining independence in 1921. A dispute arose between factions of the IRA and in 1922, they split. The protagonist sniper in Liam O'Flaherty's short story remained loyal to the Republican army...

The Republican sniper may have had an idea that the Free State sniper would be someone he recognized. Many of the men who fought in the Irish Civil War had served together in the Irish Republican Army which had waged war against the British, gaining independence in 1921. A dispute arose between factions of the IRA and in 1922, they split. The protagonist sniper in Liam O'Flaherty's short story remained loyal to the Republican army and believed that Ireland should have full autonomy, while the Free State soldiers, including the antagonist sniper, were in agreement with the Anglo-Irish Treaty which made Ireland part of the British Commonwealth. O'Flaherty suggests that the two snipers may have served together and the Republican sniper is curious because his enemy had been a good shot:



He decided he was a good shot, whoever he was. He wondered did he know him. Perhaps he had been in his own company before the split in the army. He decided to risk going over to have a look at him.



Of course, he did know the enemy, who turned out to be his brother. Apparently, as in any family, the politics of the two brothers turned out to be quite different. The fact that it was his brother may not have been that surprising to the Republican sniper as he was probably well aware of his own brother's marksmanship.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more