“The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty
***Answer questions in several, complete sentences!!!***
/63 I will deduct marks for incorrect grammar.
1. Why did the sniper shoot the unarmed woman? Was he
justified (was it right or wrong)? Explain why or why not. /5
2. What alerts (awaken or notify) the enemy sniper to the
sniper on the rooftop? /1
3. Describe ALL aspects of the setting for this story. (time
period, time of day, country, city, etc.) /5 Write a paragraph
with a topic sentence, three – five body sentences (description
of the setting in its entirety), including a conclusion sentence.
For example. There are many aspects to the setting in “The
Sniper.” The story takes place….
4. The author uses a lot of imagery and description in the story.
Write as many descriptive words and phrases below. (Find at
least 5) /5
The author uses the following descriptive words and
phrases: ,
,
, , , and .
5. Why must the sniper leave the roof? Why can he not leave
yet? Why can he not use his rifle? /3
6. Describe the shift in the sniper’s emotions after he realizes
he has killed the enemy sniper. /4
7. What is ironic (the opposite of what is expected) in the story
(there is more than one obvious answer)? /1
8. List and give examples of three literary devices that the
author uses in “The Sniper.” /6
The author uses ….. when he writes “…….”
9. Identify three qualities that made the snipers alike BESIDES
THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BROTHERS! /3
10. How might the story be different if the story was told from
third person omniscient? (The narrator knows/tells all
characters thoughts and emotions) /5 Write a paragraph with a
topic sentence, three body sentences (summary of what we
would hear, see, and experience from the third person
omniscient narration), including a conclusion sentence.
11. Fill out details from “The Sniper” on the Short Story
Organizer. /25
Short Story Organizer /25
You do not need complete sentences!
Title and Author /2
Main Characters (Protagonist, Antagonist) /2
Supporting Characters /2
Setting /4
Complication (minor problems) /3 things that happen that stop or
prevent or cause some minor problem for the main character
Conflict (major problem) /2 this is the major conflict that is
happening with the main character; What is the main conflict?
Person versus… /2 this is the protagonist vs who or what; Who or
what is the protagonist fighting against?
Climax /2
Falling Action /2
Resolution /2
Theme /2