Choose a novel or a short story in which the author creates a fascinating character. By referring to appropriate techniques, show how the author has created this character and why you found him/her so fascinating. Answers to questions on Prose should refer to the text and to such relevant features as characterisation, setting, language, key incident(s), climax, turning point, plot, structure, narrative technique, theme, ideas, description . . .

O’Flaherty has chosen Dublin as his setting to highlight the dangers the Sniper faces on a daily basis. Ireland has a turbulent history and is known for its long periods of conflict. The writer has expertly described the city in the following way: “Dublin lay enveloped in darkness” This metaphor successfully alerts the reader to the danger that lurks all around the city for the Sniper. Just as an envelope encloses its content until the recipient opens it, so it is that Dublin is cloaked in darkness, adding tension to an already fractious atmosphere. O’Flaherty has expertly chosen this setting to emphasise the peril that the Sniper puts himself in night after night for his cause. Thus allowing the reader to witness his passion first hand for the Republican side.

An important incident in the story reveals the ruthless nature of the Sniper. While waiting for his target to be in range, the Sniper notices a woman who is an informer- this means she is telling the police where he is hiding. He chooses to kill the woman dead in retaliation: “The woman whirled round and fell with a shriek into the gutter.” War is usually a man’s game, so for the Sniper to kill this woman in cold blood, he is showing his ruthless side. This can also be seen when the woman’s body is left in the gutter. O’Flaherty has chosen to use the word “corpse” to describe the body. This implies that she is left for a long time showing that he considers the woman rubbish, and should remain in the gutter. Further highlighting his cold- hearted nature.

Liam O’Flaherty has chosen to stress the youthful age of the Sniper Liam O’Flaherty has chosen to stress the youthful age of the Sniper. He is described in the following way: “His face was the face of a student” Students tend to describe young people who are at school or university. This implies that the Sniper is young, which is a shocking revelation for the reader. The reader might question why someone so young is fighting in a war. The reader is also surprised when his eyes are described: “ Eyes of a man who is used to looking at death.” This infers that the Sniper has become comfortable around death, which is appalling for someone described as being so young.

The writer has revealed that the Sniper is always ready and prepared The writer has revealed that the Sniper is always ready and prepared. When an enemy bullet hits him, he does not need to leave for medical assistance, as he has brought supplies with him: “Then taking out his field dressing, he ripped open the packet with his knife. He broke the neck of the iodine bottle and let the bitter fluid drip into the wound.” This demonstrates his readiness for battle, and need to succeed. He has obviously been trained for this situation, which would be considered inevitable, due to the high risks involved in the job. The reader may admire the Sniper for his sense of duty or ridicule for his lack of personal safety

O’Flaherty never reveals the Sniper’s name leaving the reader asking questions of his identity. He has cleverly chosen to only name him the Sniper to generalise him as man- he could be anybody. This helps the reader understand the message that the writer is trying to portray: War destroys families, countries and good people. His decision to leave the man nameless adds to the mystery surrounding his character, and is a clever tactic in keeping the reader interested.

The Sniper can be seen as a risk taker due to his reckless behaviour The Sniper can be seen as a risk taker due to his reckless behaviour. He has been patiently waiting for his target, but begins to crave a cigarette. He understands that lighting a match, and smoking is dangerous but “He decided to take the risk.” The reader is mindful of the dangerous situation, but may be surprised by his disregard for his own safety. It may lead them to question what other risks he may take in the story.

“His forearm was dead. "I'm hit," he muttered” The Sniper is shown to have great resilience in battle. He is shot and wounded but remains at his post: “His forearm was dead. "I'm hit," he muttered” Although, he has been wounded he does not shirk his responsibility and sole purpose for being on the roof: to kill the Free State sniper. This tells the reader that he is a focused soldier, and able to withstand extreme pain to complete his mission. The sniper must be very brave or stupid to remain on the roof without medical help to ensure that he succeeds in hitting his target.  

The Sniper is portrayed as a clever character when he is shown to trick his enemy. This can be seen when O’Flaherty writes, ”his ruse had succeeded”. He pretends that he has been killed to lure his target into his line of sight, and it works. The Free State sniper steps out of the shadows, and reveals himself to the Sniper: allowing him to shoot him dead. O’Flaherty has shown the Sniper to be very calculated in his actions, and to be able to get out of tricky situations.

The reader is shocked and horrified by the twist ending to the story The reader is shocked and horrified by the twist ending to the story. O’Flaherty has chosen to reinforce his message of the devastation of civil war when brother is fighting brother: “Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother's face.” The reader is horrified to discover that his enemy all along had been the Sniper’s brother. Highlighting the devastation that civil war can have on families, when men are forced to choose sides. This stresses the unrelenting nature of the Sniper’s cause, in the fact that he is prepared to kill kin for his beliefs.

The reader is shown a different side to the Sniper after he has shot his target. The Sniper becomes racked with guilt and O’Flaherty uses personification “bitten by remorse” to demonstrate the grip that his guilt has over him. He feels ashamed for what he is done. The reader is further intrigued when repetition is used to show his anger at the situation: “Cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody.“ The Sniper is angry that he has been put in the situation of being a silent assassin, and vents his frustrations. The reader may be fascinated by this character development, as it is different to previous descriptions of the man.