The Sniper by Liam OFlaherty

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The Sniperby Liam OFlaherty
Feature Menu
Introducing the Story Literary Focus Theme and
Conflict Reading Skills Making Predictions
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The Sniperby Liam OFlaherty
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The SniperIntroducing the Story
War first, one hopes to win then one expects
the enemy to lose then, one is satisfied that he
too is suffering in the end, one is surprised
that everyone has lost. Karl Kraus, Austrian
satirist, 1917
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The SniperIntroducing the Story
A sniper hides on a rooftop. He lights a
cigarette, and the flash from the match gives him
away to the enemy. Will he get off the rooftop
alive?

• The Sniper takes place over a brief period of
  time, but it is packed with suspense. How do you
  think the character will react to being under
  fire and alone?

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The SniperLiterary Focus Theme and Conflict
In many stories, the theme, or central idea, is
revealed by the way the conflict is resolved.
Who is the main character in conflict with?
Themecentral idea of the story usually some
truth or insight about life or human behavior
How does the character respond to the conflict?
How is the conflict resolved?
What does the main character learn from the
conflict?
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The SniperLiterary Focus Theme and Conflict

• The Sniper focuses on the life-and-death
  conflict between the sniper and an enemy soldier.

• As you read, decide what idea about war the
  writer communicates through the snipers
  experiences.

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The SniperReading Skills Making Predictions
When you read a suspenseful story like
The Sniper, you make predictions about what is
going to happen. You can base your predictions on

• clues the writer plants

• your own experience of life

• your understanding of how stories work

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The SniperReading Skills Making Predictions
As you read The Sniper, keep these
questions in mind to help you make predictions

• Will the main character escape the enemy?

• Will each new action help the main character or
  create new problems?

• How will it all end?

Look for any clues the writer has given about the
outcome of the story.
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The SniperBackground
This story is set in Dublin, Ireland, in the
1920s, during a time of bitter civil war. On one
side were the Republicans they wanted all of
Ireland to become a republic, totally free from
British rule.
On the other side were the Free Staters they had
compromised with Britain and had agreed to allow
the English to continue to rule six counties in
the northern province of Ulster.
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The SniperBackground
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The SniperBackground
Like all civil wars, the Troubles in Ireland tore
families apart. It pitted children against
parents, sister against sister, brother against
brother. As the story opens, the writer
immediately puts you into the warhigh on a
Dublin rooftop.
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Quickwrite
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The SniperQuickwrite
Make the Connection
What qualities enable people to perform well when
facing heart-pounding fear or stress? Think about
your own experiences or those of someone you
know, as well as news stories or fiction youve
read. Then, jot down your thoughts, about people
taking action when the stakes are high.
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Vocabulary
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The SniperVocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary beleaguered v. used as
adj. surrounded and under attack. ascetic adj.
severe also, self-disciplined. fanatic n.
person whose extreme devotion to a cause is
excessive or unreasonable. ruse n.
trick. silhouetted v. used as adj.
outlined. remorse n. deep guilt.
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The SniperVocabulary
Vocabulary Activity Fill in the blanks with the
correct Word Bank words.
beleaguered fanatic ruse silhouetted remorse

• 1. I tried to trick her, but she didnt fall for
  my __________ .
• 2. The ___________ troops fought off the attack
  bravely.
• 3. My sister doesnt just love opera she is a
  __________ .
• The convict did not apologize or show any
  __________ .
• The horse was __________ against the bright
  sunset.

ruse
beleaguered
fanatic
remorse
silhouetted
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Meet the Writer
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The SniperMeet the Writer
Liam OFlaherty (1896-1984) was born to a large,
impoverished family on Inishmore, one of
Irelands rocky Aran Islands. His father was a
farmer and fisherman, and his mother was the
descendant of lighthouse builders. OFlaherty
took inspiration from his native Aran Islands,
writing frequently about peasant life.
More About the Writer
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