WE WOULD'T CHOOSE WAR

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 In Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Wartime Sarajevo, the diary details Zlata Filipovic's account of the Bosnian War from 1991 to 1993. Zlata Filipovic describes her life and the events as she saw them, during the war in Bosnia. Because Zlata was ten years old when she started writing in her diary, which she names Mimmy, her perspective offers a more childlike view of the war and the politics behind what is happening with the war. Zlata's childlike perspective, however, is arguably what makes this novel such an inspiring piece of literature to those who read it. Her hope for a better future and her positivity throughout the remainder of the war, are what draws the reader into her personal retelling of the events of the Bosnian War. 

In the midst of war, as a child, Zlata's perspective on the politics of war are simplistic but they add to the raw account of the diary. Zlata refers to the politicians in the novel as "kids," claiming that "the 'kids' are negotiating, and we are dying freezing, starving, crying, parting with our friends, leaving our loved ones. I keep wanting to explain these stupid politics to myself, because it seems to me that politics caused this war, making it our everyday reality" (96). Even as a child, Zlata knows that the politics of war is what's causing her life to be in danger. She understands that the war in Bosnia stems from politics and that her life is in constant danger because nothing can be as simple as just saving the people or ending the war. Zlata also says, "of course, I'm 'young,' and politics are conducted by 'grown-ups.' But I think we 'young' would do it better. We certainly wouldn't have chosen war" (97). Zlata understands that even though she is young, she would not subject anyone to have to live through a war, and would not have chosen war in order to solve a problem in politics. In my opinion, Zlata's strong ideas, although they may be the recounts of 'young' girl, are powerful in recognizing that war is not a solution to anything. 

In all, I think that Zlata's account of the war is one that offers an overall unique perspective on war. Her positivity throughout the course of the diary is one that can be related to a childlike demeanor, but can also be seen as a platitude that we should all adhere to: "After the clouds comes the sun" (166). 

Comments

  1. Logan SandorNovember 11, 2020 at 12:52 PM

    You nailed it on the head. From her over- simplistic view of war to how she expresses she would never subject anyone to live through war. Your ending quote reminds me of something I always tell myself when the going gets tough, and that is "Every storm runs out of rain." It also happens to be one of my favorite country songs that I blare on bad days.

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  2. Kels SalernoNovember 11, 2020 at 5:34 PM

    Mikayla! You are so right! Zlata's positivity and they way she handled everything with such a sense of calmness is what had me stuck from the very beginning. Don't you love when stories do that? I stated in my blog post that this book could possibly even be taught to younger students (not too young) because of how her story is told in such a positive and calm perspective.

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  3. Olivia BennettNovember 11, 2020 at 8:24 PM

    Hey Mikayla,
    You made so many fantasitc points about Zlata's account. I loved how you pointed out how Zlata takes such a simplistic veiw at such complex topics. I like how you pointed out Zlata constantly referring to the war lords as "the kids" I think that description really points out to the reader just how crazy the whole war is. The war is essentially caused by a lot of adults who are acting like children and not getting along. The sad part is is that in the middle of these "kids" despute is innocent people.

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  4. Candace BeebeNovember 11, 2020 at 8:25 PM

    I agree Mikayla, Zlata's perspective brings a childlike positivity and innocence to the text. However, I think it should also be noted that Zlata matures significantly over the course of the diary. War ages her and gives her wisdom beyond her years. This shows through her thoughts, feelings, and even her writing style. What makes Zlata exceptional is her ability to continue to hope for a better life to come.

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