Fratricide for Freedom: Personal Costs in "The Sniper" Novy Kay O'Connell 9th Grade

To battle against your own family members to the death over a political dispute seems unfathomable, but has been a reality of history. The Irish Civil War began when the Irish had to decide if they wanted to accept partial freedom from Great Britain or fight to become a Republic. After fighting with each other against Great Britain, the Irish Army split and battled against one another. During civil wars, such as the Irish Civil War, countries are torn apart and find themselves in combat with their other halves. Often forgotten are the families and soldiers civil wars harm. Most families are able to hold on to one another for support; however, in some cases families break apart and will even go so far as to fight on opposite sides of the battle. This characteristic of dedication to a war affecting citizens personally appears in “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty, a short story about a sniper in the Irish Civil war fighting on the Republican side. During the night, his eagerness for combat demonstrates how inexperienced in war he is; however, his calm actions and quick response juxtapose this, indicating he is quite logical. Although the Sniper is excited for combat at the beginning of the story, he later finds himself appalled by...