Respond in a well-organized essay, and make sure your answer is written in complete sentences.%C2%A0 Respond to one of the questions below. Include at least two supporting details or examples.
A. In “The Literature of the Middle East and South Asia,” Laura Winkiel writes: “These stories help us to understand the complex questions that Middle Easterners and South Asian people ask as they stand at a crossroads of cultural and religious change.” Explain how this statement applies to one of the selections you read. Be sure to include the title of the selection and explain the crossroads that it illustrates.
B. Setting and mood are important elements in many of the stories in this unit. Choose one story and describe some aspects of its setting: where it takes place; what mood is created by the details of weather, place, and time; and how this setting helps to convey the theme of the story.
B. In the short story "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty, the setting plays a crucial role in creating a tense and ominous mood, which in turn helps to convey the theme of the story. The story is set during the Irish Civil War in the early 1920s, specifically on a rooftop in Dublin. The weather is described as being cold and misty, with intermittent bursts of rain. The time of the story is night, adding to the darkness and sense of danger.
The setting of "The Sniper" is significant because it reflects the chaotic and violent nature of the Civil War. The rooftop where the sniper is stationed symbolizes a battleground, where life and death hang in the balance. The cold and misty weather adds to the sense of isolation and desperation the sniper feels, as he is alone and constantly under threat. The rain acts as a metaphor for the bloodshed and destruction of war, which surrounds the sniper.
The mood created by the setting is one of suspense and fear. The darkness and mist obscure the sniper's vision, making it difficult for him to identify and locate his enemies. This adds to the tension and uncertainty he experiences as he carefully aims and shoots at his targets. The constant threat of being discovered by the enemy also contributes to the sense of danger and unease.
The setting helps to convey the theme of the story, which is the dehumanizing effects of war. In a war-torn setting, individuals are forced to dehumanize their enemies in order to survive. The sniper, who is depicted as a skilled and ruthless killer, experiences a moment of realization at the end of the story when he discovers that the enemy sniper he killed is actually his own brother. This moment of realization emphasizes the tragedy of war and the loss of humanity that occurs when individuals are pitted against each other in violent conflicts.
Overall, the setting in "The Sniper" plays a crucial role in setting the mood and conveying the theme of the story. The cold, misty rooftop in war-torn Dublin creates a sense of suspense and danger, while also highlighting the dehumanizing effects of war. Through its setting, the story explores the complex and tragic consequences of violence and conflict.