ipl-logo

Zlata's Diary: The Bosnian War

750 Words3 Pages

“I hear the sound of shells, and everything around me smells of war. War is now my life.” (Filipovic, 1994, p.64). On April 6, 1992, the Bosnian War, which is in part attributed to racism, broke out, slaughtering 100,000 people and destroying the lives of Zlata along with an unnerving amount of virtuous Bosnian citizens. Zlata’s Diary is the personal diary of Zlata Filipovic, a wartime Bosnian child. In real-time throughout the literature, Zlata records the consequences of the war for her, personally; losing friends, security, normalcy, and her childhood. Necessities morph into commodities while markets accept only “fancy” foreign money. Moreover, paranoia, violence, and isolation induce mental illness. On the other hand, war administers Zlata with previously …show more content…

Yes, Zlata suffers through war, loses hope, and feels condemned, but after the darkness, there is an equal, if not brighter, shining light: a wonderful life. The base of her education is immaculate. With her background, nothing is impossible. Zlata’s Diary is a hit, selling more than 80,000 copies. The journals fly off the shelves, similar to the speed at which the Filipovic family migrates from Bosnia to France; without having to pay a single cent. Upon arriving in Paris, Zlata and her family bask in the glories of a normal, happy life: showers, heated water, lovely food, and freedom to travel. Zlata “went on to study at Trinity College and then Oxford University” (The Telegraph, n.d.). Finally, she is able to relish in quality, consistent education; no more abrupt cancellations and artificial schooling. War destroys Zlata’s home, freedom, and spirit, but provides positive benefits as well. Zlata breaks through her “life in a circle.” (Filipovic, 1994, p.182). Due to the conflict, Zlata gains a new appreciation for some luxuries of life; traveling, a lifelong platform, and a quality

Show More
Related
632 Words | 3 Pages

In Louis Zamperini’s case, he was “motivated by his faith” and “came to see that the way forward was not revenge, but forgiveness”. The author, Laura Hillenbrand, documents the downfall and turmoil soldiers like Zamperini experienced during the war through the use of diction, juxtapositions, and imagery. The robust diction utilized, such as “vengelessness” and “tormenters”, emphasis the decline and remorseful nature of mankind. These types of hardships reveal

Read More
1192 Words | 5 Pages

The author of this anti-war novel set out to portray war as a meaningless and brutal way of life that ruined the life of many of the soldiers. Paul observes the gory and butchered bodies scattered everywhere around the battlefield and “cannot realize that above such shattered bodies there are still human faces in which life goes its daily round” (Remarque 263). The war has completely altered Baumer’s conception of military conflict with its disastrous extent of violence and slaughter. His description of the dead men who even Paul is left an utterly broken and destroyed man after the war. Furthermore, the horror of war and the animalistic nature it brings out in people is thoroughly addressed in Baumer’s description of the impoverished Russian soldiers, who like them were forced to “unknowingly, foolishly, obediently, innocently slay one another” (Remarque 263).

Read More
1328 Words | 6 Pages

In this story, the author exposes the idea of how war can significantly

Read More
567 Words | 3 Pages

Richie and his friends all enter the war as young and naive teenagers, but quickly lose their innocence as the true horrors of war become apparent. One fact that I learned from the book is that a war is one of the most inhumane and devastating event that could ever take place. Previously, my knowledge on wars was limited to descriptions such as bad and really bad. However now, I understand how gruesome and grim war really is from the eyes of Richie. His vivid and terrifying descriptions helped me see that war shouldn’t be viewed with nonchalance, because some of the most unimaginable things have happened there.

Read More
403 Words | 2 Pages

War is a harsh reality that is inflicted upon the unwilling through the “need” of it’s predecessors and those whom wish it. All Quiet on The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is about 19 year old Paul and his friends in the “Second Company”. Even though they are just out of school age, they have already seen things that many could not bear to even think about. Eventually, all of his friends die, and even Paul too, dies. Remarque uses diction and syntax as literary devices to express his anti-war theme, or lesson.

Read More
1374 Words | 6 Pages

The tradition of the Omelas’ people is that every year a child has to sacrifice his happiness for everyone else’s. LeGuin reveals this tradition through the use of irony. The setting begins with a joyous mood and describes how much content everyone in the city has. The city is described as a utopia for everyone. But as the story goes on the readers finds out how unscrupulous and horrific the city is.

Read More
1114 Words | 5 Pages

An individual’s response to the drastic changes in their life reveals a lot about their character. In Steven Galloway’s novel, The Cellist of Sarajevo, the author follows the lives of three distinct characters affected by the siege on their beloved city. In the face of such compelling and often violent circumstances, the character Arrow learns to adapt her behaviour and attitude to fit her stark surroundings. While working as a sniper, Arrow faces a moral conflict as she tries to resolve her motivations for fighting back. Much like Sarajevo itself, Arrow experience the deterioration of her principles and morals.

Read More
1210 Words | 5 Pages

This work of literature has the theme of self-isolation from family, and the tones of sadness and guilt. As she touches on what it's like for a mother in her mid 40s to pick up a new language, Mora tells a touching story about her life. Touching on the main character's true inner feelings, her experience, and how she chooses to cope with the situation. Elena's situation is not one that many people can relate to so when Mora was able to interpret her situation so well it was incredible. The language barriers that Elena was trying to overcome affected her life indefinitely, mentally and emotionally, and even changing her forever.

Read More
1504 Words | 7 Pages

The novel focuses on coping with the death and horror of war. It also speaks volumes about the true nature of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the never-ending struggle of dealing with it. In the

Read More
748 Words | 3 Pages

Agony can be felt because of many reasons, but the one which is the most hurting is losing a friend. But in a metaphorical way. In Safe Area Gorazde, Bosnian people lost their Serb friends, who became enemies. “Ex” neighbors if it’s possible to call them like that, became soldiers who stole things from houses, killed and tortured the people they grow up with. Throughout the book, every character tries to find their individual ways to forget the reality of war, losing friends, losing hope and

Read More
1064 Words | 5 Pages

Throughout the ages, wars have wreaked havoc and caused great destruction that lead to the loss of millions of lives. However, wars also have an immensely destructive effect on the individual soldier. In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front written by Erich Maria Remarque, one is able to see exactly to what extent soldiers suffered during World War 1 as well as the effect that war had on them. In this essay I will explain the effect that war has on young soldiers by referring to the loss of innocence of young soldiers, the disillusionment of the soldiers and the debasement of soldiers to animalistic men. Many soldiers entered World War 1 as innocent young boys, but as they experienced the full effect of the war they consequently lost their innocence.

Read More
1906 Words | 8 Pages

The Wars is a symbolic masterpiece that illustrates the great impact war brings on the microcosm of society and how individuals juxtaposed to the war are affected. The novel itself requires active reading; because without it, the novel would seem very simplistic; however, after further examination, readers can evidently recognize the complexity of Robert’s character with the aid of many heteroglossic components, techniques, devices, and the reworking of literary conventions. Robert’s physical, mental and emotional journey he endeavours, followed by the constant re-evaluations of his truths and becoming a more proficient soldier, can be seen through a formalist perspective with the use of foreshadowing to signify Robert’s transition from a sane to insane soldier; the utilization of animal imagery highlighting Robert’s development through the horrific experiences of war; and the several themes in the text to illustrate Robert’s evolution as a soldier through his inner

Read More
1812 Words | 8 Pages

During the war he was badly hurt and then was brought back home, although he was happy and relieved to be back to his family he started facing a new battle within himself. He was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. The book is told through the perspective of Bela Zombory- Moldovan and how the war changed his world personally and how it effected the world of the people around him. Zombory- Moldovan view of history was affected by the events of his life.

Read More
987 Words | 4 Pages

Inspiration for initial ideas Through the initial planning of the story the concept was to expose the effects of war on civilians. I took inspiration through the people impacted by the Hiroshima bombings during WWII by reading firsthand accounts of the bombings and also the effects it had afterwards. Intended purpose The audience, this writing is focused on, are young adults specifically in modern times, who live with a life of considerable peace without war. My intended purpose of the story is a reminder towards the people about the effects of war.

Read More
1101 Words | 5 Pages

This 330-page book describes the life of Anne Frank during her hiding. The setting of the book was during world war one. Themes of identity and isolation are present in the book. In the beginning Anne’s diary talks about her life has a 13 year old teenager.

Read More

More about Zlata's Diary: The Bosnian War

Related Topics

Open Document