Final answer:
The IRA sniper's compulsion to see the face of the man he killed reflects his struggle with the personal reality of war and its impact on his humanity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "The Sniper," the IRA sniper is compelled to look at the face of the man he had just killed due to a mix of guilt, curiosity, and the need to confront the reality of his actions. This encounter starkly humanizes the act of killing, emphasizing that the enemy is not just a target but a person with a life and story of their own. The sniper's need to see the face of his victim exemplifies a haunting moment of recognition and the toll the war takes on those involved in it. Such a moment can evoke profound emotions, as seen in other literature excerpts where characters grapple with the realities of war and its implications on their humanity.