1. It shows that in times of war, human beings become
objects. They have no face, no family, no history, and no importance to the other
side. It is very much like a video game. There is no emotional ties to the person you
are shooting. The main character isn't even given a name. He is just known as "the
sniper". This is also shown by the "old woman, her head covered by a tattered shawl".
She had done her damage, she had pointed him out. The other side had already been
shooting at him, so they knew where he was. Her information was redundant, but he shot
and killed her anyway --- after she had delivered her news. Note that it is not this
death that he regrets.
2. War tears families apart. This
story took place during the Irish Civil War. Just as in the American Civil War, brother
was fighting against brother. They were fighting for ideals. The Irish Republican Army
split over the Anglo-Irish treaty following the fight for Irish independence from
Britain. There was the Provisional side that were pre-treaty and the anti-treaty group
known as the Republicans. When he kills the enemy, he finds out that he shot his own
brother.
3. Even in war, there is a basic respect for
those who do their job well. The sniper doesn't care about the old lady, but when he
shoots the enemy, watches him die, and then peers at his body, "he became bitten by
remorse". He went to look at the body of his enemy because "He decided he was a good
shot" He even dodges machine gun bullets to see who this person was. The man had been
a worthwhile adversary.
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