In "Angela's Ashes," by Frank McCourt, "The Sniper," by Liam O'Flaherty and "The Wind that Shakes the Barley," by Robert Dwyer Joyce, characters often face situations in which they must act to save themselves and their loved ones. In these situations, it is common for them to ignore right and wrong, implementing whatever method is best for their own benefit. Under extreme pressure or fear it is natural for human beings to abandon their morals in favor of survival instincts because they value survival over any mores. Morals are often abandoned in circumstances that involve war, family, and self preservation.
In war, morals are often compromised due to the extreme pressure and fear. Killing becomes normal and victory is the only real goal; all else is forgotten. In The Wind that Shakes the Barley, when there is an informer within Damien's group of the IRA, Damien is forced to kill the informer in order to keep his cause alive. When asked if he will shoot him, Damien answers, "I studied anatomy for five years, Dan. And now I'm going to shoot this man in the head. I've known Chris Reilly since he was a child. I hope this Ireland we're fighting for is worth it" (Loach). By explaining how he had studied anatomy Damien exemplifies the changes that the pressure and fear of war has caused. Normally he would be saving the sick and injured but war makes a killer out of him, and makes his morals disappear. The fear of discovery and capture by the British through an informer forced the evils of war to catch up with Damien. This is further reinforced because the boy is not just any informer. .
War catalyzes the evil and feral natures of human beings. People forsake empathy and mores for war, this has a large impact on all involved, especially the soldiers. In "The Sniper," when he kills the sniper on the other roof, he relishes in the act. The sniper shot his revolver and "when the smoke cleared, he peered across and uttered a cry of joy.
