The author of “The Sniper” is James Riordan. James Riordan created a name for himself as a respected Russianist, and children’s author and translator. Riordan is relatively qualified to write a story based on the snipers of Stalingrad, for he spent an amount of time researching the topic in Russia. In Moscow, Riordan studied Russian politics and history, becoming well versed on the rising of The Communist Party (Riley). Much of Riordan’s life was spent studying and debating Russian politics and history, making him relatively qualified to write “The Sniper.” One could argue that Riordan held extreme political opinions, which could cause a story to fall towards subjectivity. However, the story has remained extremely politically neutral, and
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To fully grasp and effectively analyze “The Sniper,” a reader should have a basic understanding of national relations during World War II, Russian Politics during World War II, and The Battle of Stalingrad. It is important for a reader to know which countries were allied in World War II. This information may seem painfully obvious; however, if a younger reader does not know which countries were allied in World War II, they might not be able to grasp the story concept at all. Readers should also know Russia’s basic political stance during World War II. Readers need to understand why the secret police existed, how the citizens treated Stalin with great respect and fear, and why the Soviet Union joined the allies. The first third of “The Sniper” is about The Battle of Stalingrad, so it is important readers understand the highlights of it. For example: the winning side, approximately how long the battle lasted, and the reason the winning side won. These basic facts enhance readers’ experiences, tying the story into already acquired knowledge. To fully understand “The Sniper,” readers should have a basic understanding of national relations during World War II, Russian Politics during World War II, and The Battle of …show more content…
The story opens by focusing on an unknown sniper, hardened to murder, shooting several German troops. A transition follows, introducing the main character, Tania Belova, forced into war by tragedy and circumstance. Tania begins her journey early 1942, in her hometown, Stalingrad. One day, Tania’s whole school is called to arms by their country. After digging trenches, Tania is assigned the role of a shooter, she is to shoot down any German planes that fly overhead; on the day the Germans attack, Tania does exactly that. She is hit sometime during the attack and wakes up in her room, her entire family gone (almost everyone has evacuated the city;) when Tania wanders out, she is given an assignment by the secret police. Tania is asked to give a letter to her father and the general, who she learns is out gathering reinforcement; she delivers the letter and discusses the war with her father and the general. Tania is, by far, the most developed character; there are a few supporting characters: Nina (a girl hurt while digging trenches), Major General Rogatin (of the Secret Police,) Tania’s father, Timofei (the old man who helped Tania reacher her father,) and the general. The main conflict, so far, is Tania’s struggle to find a place in the war effort, as well as the actual struggle of the war; Tania has been given odd jobs, but no set role. “The Sniper” is primarily about a
To fully grasp and effectively analyze “The Sniper,” a reader should have a basic understanding of national relations during World War II, Russian Politics during World War II, and The Battle of Stalingrad. It is important for a reader to know which countries were allied in World War II. This information may seem painfully obvious; however, if a younger reader does not know which countries were allied in World War II, they might not be able to grasp the story concept at all. Readers should also know Russia’s basic political stance during World War II. Readers need to understand why the secret police existed, how the citizens treated Stalin with great respect and fear, and why the Soviet Union joined the allies. The first third of “The Sniper” is about The Battle of Stalingrad, so it is important readers understand the highlights of it. For example: the winning side, approximately how long the battle lasted, and the reason the winning side won. These basic facts enhance readers’ experiences, tying the story into already acquired knowledge. To fully understand “The Sniper,” readers should have a basic understanding of national relations during World War II, Russian Politics during World War II, and The Battle of …show more content…
The story opens by focusing on an unknown sniper, hardened to murder, shooting several German troops. A transition follows, introducing the main character, Tania Belova, forced into war by tragedy and circumstance. Tania begins her journey early 1942, in her hometown, Stalingrad. One day, Tania’s whole school is called to arms by their country. After digging trenches, Tania is assigned the role of a shooter, she is to shoot down any German planes that fly overhead; on the day the Germans attack, Tania does exactly that. She is hit sometime during the attack and wakes up in her room, her entire family gone (almost everyone has evacuated the city;) when Tania wanders out, she is given an assignment by the secret police. Tania is asked to give a letter to her father and the general, who she learns is out gathering reinforcement; she delivers the letter and discusses the war with her father and the general. Tania is, by far, the most developed character; there are a few supporting characters: Nina (a girl hurt while digging trenches), Major General Rogatin (of the Secret Police,) Tania’s father, Timofei (the old man who helped Tania reacher her father,) and the general. The main conflict, so far, is Tania’s struggle to find a place in the war effort, as well as the actual struggle of the war; Tania has been given odd jobs, but no set role. “The Sniper” is primarily about a