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The Republican Sniper
The young protagonist of the story who supports Irish independence from British rule. Caught between his duty to kill the enemy and an awareness of the atrocities of the war, he faces an enemy sniper, narrowly avoids death, and implements a plan to escape by killing his opponent. During the course of the story, he suffers hunger, pain, and regret, although he demonstrates the presence of mind needed to make the situation work in his favor.
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The Enemy Sniper
The story’s antagonist, whose identity is unknown throughout most of the story. Alert and well-hidden, the enemy sniper challenges the protagonist several times, demonstrating similar qualities as a competent soldier. A good shot, he rarely misses an opportunity to fire on his enemy. He commits a single mistake, assuming victory, and falls victim to the Republican sniper’s subterfuge. The story’s surprising conclusion reveals that this sniper is the protagonist’s brother.
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The Old Woman
A Free State informant. Dressed in a ragged shawl, she steps into the street following the first exchange of gunfire between the snipers, and talks to a man in an armored car, pointing out the location of the story’s protagonist.
