The Sniper

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo t, mavo
• Leerjaar 4

Ireland

Irish Potato Famine

• 1845 - 1852
  
• Attacked by a pest 
• British government

Consequences Potato Famine

• 1 million deaths
  
• Political dynamics
• Agriculture structure

Irish Civil War

• 1922-1923
• pro-treaty vs anti-treaty
  
• Collins vs DeValera  (who resigned as president)
  
• former IRA 'brothers' now fighting each other
• Collins eventually killed in West-Cork
  

Pro-Treaty wins --> much later -->  Republic of Ireland  (1948)

a short history lesson

In 1921 the "Anglo-Irish Treaty" made an end to the war of Independence. Ireland would get the status of a dominion (like Canada) and the 6 counties in the North would stay part of Great Britain. 

The treaty caused problems within the Irish parliament: some said it was a step in the right direction but others didn't want to be part of Great Britain at all. 

Explain to the students what they will be learning and why it is important.

Quote some phrases in the text that tell you more about the atmosphere (tip: beginning of story).

Plot

Exposition

Rising action

Climax

Falling action

Resolution

The narrator explains that country is at war. 

Sniper on the roof watching the enemy.

Sniper lights cigarette

Sniper sees enemies on ground and shoots them

Sniper is shot in the arm

Sniper puts cap on rifle and drops this to ground after it is shot

Sniper shoots opponent

Sniper feels bad about killing his opponent and about the war.

Sniper wonders who his opponent is/was and discovers he has shot his own brother.

What is the setting of The Sniper?

Identify the characters: who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist? Also, state if they are round or flat.

Identify the point of view/narration

1. first person
2. third person
3. limited omniscient
4. omniscient

Which part of the plot
creates tension and suspense?

1. Rising Action
2. Climax
3. Falling Action
4. Resolution

How is suspense created in The Sniper?

• In the exposition, by means of the atmosphere created (night, war, guns fired in the distance)

• In the rising action:
• light the cigarette (dangerous)
• bullet over his head
• arrival of armoured car
• woman snitching
• bullet in his arm
• bullet in his cap
• lifting the revolver, aiming at other sniper

Who are the characters in The Sniper?

What does the sniper look like?

Why does our sniper get shot? What gives him away

What is the dilemma (problem) the sniper has when he tries to shoot the other sniper?

How does he solve this problem?

Who does the sniper's enemy turn out to be?

How do you think the rest of the family will respond?

the story is in the next slide