The Bright Lights of Sarajevo (Paper 2)

Question 1

Key words

Answer 1

• war
• Sarajevo
• Darkness

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

The Bosnian war occurred between 1992 and 1995, after the declaration of independence from Yugoslavia (1992). However, there was conflict over the way the country should be run and Bosnian Serbs began to fight with Serbs.

Sarajevo was under siege between 1992 and 1996. It was the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. As a modern city, it had all of the conveniences expected, including schools, shops, universities and hotels.

Question 3

Themes and ideas

Answer 3

• Melancholic but happy
• Know new people
• Lit caffee

Question 4

Key quotations

Answer 4

• Black shapes impossible to mark as Muslim, Serb or Croat in such dark
• Then match or lighter to a cigarette
• The smallest clouds have cleared away, leaving Sarajevo star-filled evening sky ideally bright and clear for bomber’s eye
• and he holds her hand

Question 5

Summary

Answer 5

Harrison describes the reader the experience of love in war and how people’s lives had changed but still need to continue and how they get to know new people. The writer wants to portray the reader the importance of love in those critical moments specificly in Sarajevo during war.

Question 6

Black shapes impossible to mark as Muslim, Serb or Croat in such dark (analysis)

Answer 6

Irony - darkness brings anonymity and refuge from ethnic tensionsthat were a big issue at the time

Question 7

Then match or lighter to a cigarette (analysis)

Answer 7

Symbolism - love is a source of light

Question 8

The smallest clouds have cleared away, leaving Sarajevo star-filled evening sky ideally bright and clear for bomber’s eye (analysis)

Answer 8

Violent imagery and romantic imagery continuously juxtaposed - resilience of love

Question 9

and he holds her hand (analysis)

Answer 9

Emphasises unity and love