Final answer:
The mood of "The Sniper" is tense, suspenseful, and somber, crafted through the author's use of vivid details, rapid sentence structure, and thematic elements, reflecting the chaos and tragedy of war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The overall mood of the short story "The Sniper" can be described as tense, suspenseful, and somber. The author's use of vivid details, sentence structure, and stylistic choices such as curt, fast-paced dialogue and stark descriptions create an atmosphere that engrosses the reader into the sniper's fraught situation. For instance, phrases like "sharp report" and "spattering his face with spray" encapsulate the close brushes with death and the sense of immediacy. The rapid and tense sentence structures, like "I seized the bell-rope; dropped it, ashamed; seized it again; dropped it once more," mirror the internal turmoil of the characters and contribute to the story’s urgent and chaotic tone. Furthermore, the overarching themes of war and the emotional detachment necessary to survive in such an environment are highlighted by the style and mood, evoking a profound sense of tragedy and introspection.