Carter Druse, from“A Horseman in the Sky,” and the sniper, from “The Sniper,” have infinite similarities and differences in the way they tackle their conflicts. Carter Druse is a Union soldier fighting in the American Civil War, while the sniper is a Republican fighting in the Irish Civil War. Both men face an immense challenge; having to kill a family member. Carter kills his father and the sniper kills his brother. “‘Did you fire?’ the sergeant whispered. ‘Yes.’ ‘At what?’ ‘A horse. It was standing on yonder rock- pretty far out. You see it is no longer there. It went over the cliff.’ ‘See here, Druse,’ he said, after a moment’s silence, ‘it’s no use making a mystery. I order you to report. Was there anybody on the horse?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well?’
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Unlike Carter who knowingly kills his father, the sniper has no clue who he kills. “Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother’s face.” (O’Flaherty 166) Throughout the battle, the sniper does not know the enemy is his brother. Once the enemy is killed, the sniper discovers it is his brother. Although these characters have various similarities, they have a countless number of differences. For example, Carter hesitates before shooting the enemy soldier, but the sniper is determined to kill his enemy. As Carter is preparing to shoot, the enemy general turns in his direction. “Druse withdrew his eyes from the valley and fixed them upon the group of man and horse in the sky, and again it was through the sights of his rifle. But this time his aim was at the …show more content…
He was almost deafened with the report and his arm shook with the recoil” (O’Flaherty 166). The quote proves the sniper has no hesitation to shoot the enemy, perhaps it is because he does not know the enemy’s identity. The author supplies no information about the sniper, but in contrast, given sufficient information about Carter. Carter is a young, wealthy Virginian man who joins the Union army. “The sleeping sentinel in the clump of laurel was a young Virginian named Carter Druse. He was the son of wealthy parents, an only child, and had known such ease and cultivation and high living as wealth and taste were able to command in the mountain country of western Virginia” (Bierce 2/6). This quote provides information about Carter, therefore allowing the reader to make a personal connection. However, the sniper’s identity remains secretive. “On a roof-top near O’Connel Bridge, a Republican sniper lay watching. Beside him lay his rifle and over his shoulders were slung a pair of field-glasses” (O’Flaherty 164). By the author not allowing a personal connection between the sniper and the reader, the reader doesn’t form a relationship with
Unlike Carter who knowingly kills his father, the sniper has no clue who he kills. “Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother’s face.” (O’Flaherty 166) Throughout the battle, the sniper does not know the enemy is his brother. Once the enemy is killed, the sniper discovers it is his brother. Although these characters have various similarities, they have a countless number of differences. For example, Carter hesitates before shooting the enemy soldier, but the sniper is determined to kill his enemy. As Carter is preparing to shoot, the enemy general turns in his direction. “Druse withdrew his eyes from the valley and fixed them upon the group of man and horse in the sky, and again it was through the sights of his rifle. But this time his aim was at the …show more content…
He was almost deafened with the report and his arm shook with the recoil” (O’Flaherty 166). The quote proves the sniper has no hesitation to shoot the enemy, perhaps it is because he does not know the enemy’s identity. The author supplies no information about the sniper, but in contrast, given sufficient information about Carter. Carter is a young, wealthy Virginian man who joins the Union army. “The sleeping sentinel in the clump of laurel was a young Virginian named Carter Druse. He was the son of wealthy parents, an only child, and had known such ease and cultivation and high living as wealth and taste were able to command in the mountain country of western Virginia” (Bierce 2/6). This quote provides information about Carter, therefore allowing the reader to make a personal connection. However, the sniper’s identity remains secretive. “On a roof-top near O’Connel Bridge, a Republican sniper lay watching. Beside him lay his rifle and over his shoulders were slung a pair of field-glasses” (O’Flaherty 164). By the author not allowing a personal connection between the sniper and the reader, the reader doesn’t form a relationship with