The Sniper

“Dublin lay enveloped in darkness but for the dim light of the moon that shone through fleecy clouds, casting a pale light as of approaching dawn over the streets and the dark waters of the Liffey. Around the beleaguered Four Courts the heavy guns roared. Here and there through the city, machine guns and rifles broke the silence of the night, spasmodically, like dogs barking on lone farms.”

These opening lines squarely locate the story in the city of Dublin. The city acts as a main character; O’Flaherty paints a portrait of Dublin before characterizing his titular protagonist. Instead of simply stating that the story is set in Dublin, O’Flaherty gives his readers specific topographical features, such as the River Liffey and the Four Courts. These opening lines characterize the city as desolate and dangerous, as befits a city beleaguered by war.

“[The sniper’s eyes] were deep and thoughtful, the eyes of a man who is used to looking at death.”

This quote expresses the sniper’s experience with war. O’Flaherty characterizes his protagonist briefly, but makes it clear that the sniper has been hardened by battle. Though the reader may assume that the sniper has killed many, he is far from brutish; rather, he is thoughtful, suggesting that the deaths he has witnessed or caused have affected him deeply.

“He paused for a moment, considering whether he should risk a smoke. It was dangerous. The flash might be seen in the darkness, and there were enemies watching. He decided to take the risk.”

The sniper must weigh the risk and benefit of his actions. Even lighting a cigarette poses serious risk. It turns out that the sniper’s decision is in fact dangerous; after he lights the cigarette, the enemy shoots in his direction.