The Cellist Of Sarajevo Self Sacrifice

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Discuss the idea(s) developed by the author in your chosen novel about an individual's capacity for self-sacrifice in the face of compelling circumstances.

Human beings have captivated the Earth. We control it. Human beings are also controlled, and they are controlled by three main elements: Hope, Love and Fear. Hope, being the element that keeps human beings going. Through all the struggles that mankind faces – be it massive attacks on humanity, natural disasters, country-wide deficit, or the stress alone of leading a life under the pressure of society, it is indeed true; that life is not easy. So, we latch onto hope in order to get us through these circumstances. Thus, we have the hope to believe that a city is not destroyed by war and no …show more content…

This idea is embraced through the novel The Cellist of Sarajevo, where Steven Galloway uses his his four main characters, Kanan, The Cellist, Arrow and Dragan in order to reveal the response that individuals have after facing a war that left all characters under compelling circumstances; and how they use the element of self-sacrifice, which travels to a very high capacity; in order to protect their city, loved ones and the element of hope so that it may remain alive within the hearts of the citizens.

Kenan is one of the four main characters used in the novel to depict the effects of compelling circumstances on an individual’s capacity for self-sacrifice. Being a husband, and a father; the element of responsibility and providing for his family really drives Kenan’s self-sacrifice under the circumstances that the characters are being faced with throughout the novel. Kenan demonstrates self-sacrifice in order to provide for his family; and this is evident through his trips to the brewer to get water for his family and Mrs. Ristovski despite Mrs. Ristovski’s ill-treatment of him. Kenan reaches out, and puts his life on the line every day; being in the open view …show more content…

He sacrifices 22 days, compelled to play the cello to commemorate the death of the innocent individuals who died by a shelling. The cellist drives his self-sacrifice through the ideal of hope. His music indeed holds the power of giving other people hope, and at times it seems insane for him to be risking his like to play the cello; however, he does it all in order to restore hope amongst the people around him. The cellist believes that all he can do is play the cello, so he spends his entire time and energy doing it – thus, creating the hope that if he does all that he can do, others will also play their part in making sacrifices in order to restore, rebuilt and unite the city. He plays the cello at the risk of his own life, but in order to grieve and commemorate the deaths of other innocent individuals. He acts as a heroic figure; even whilst being a mute character throughout the novel. The symbolism of his role is values heavily through this sacrifice of this 22-day cycle where he devotes his life towards playing this cello, to help the citizens grieve, ot provide them with hope, to be a central focus of resistance shown by people who are in the midst of a war-zone. It gives him a voice, without having a voice; it speaks the sound of peace and reconciliation and a better hope for the future. It shows that individuals are willing to go to any capacity of