Student Question
How does Zlata strive to maintain normalcy in her life?
Quick answer:
Zlata strives to maintain normalcy amidst war by clinging to her pre-war routines, such as playing the piano and preparing for school, despite the escalating conflict in Sarajevo. While the war disrupts her life, she finds solace in writing her thoughts and feelings in her diary, expressing her frustrations and hopes. Her family's support and closeness help her remain grounded and hopeful, even as friends flee or perish.
In the midst of war, Zlata struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy by not giving in to despair. Prior to the conflict, Zlata enjoyed going on vacations and practicing the piano, and she was about to attend the fifth grade. Although there are hints of a coming war, Zlata believes that it won't affect her peaceful life. This is proven to be false once violence and gunshots arrive in her native Sarajevo.
With casualties and deprivation surrounding her, Zlata wrote down her thoughts and feelings in her diary. She expresses her frustrations about war and questions if it will ever end. But what keeps Zlata grounded is her family. Even though the war caused some of her friends to either flee or die, it's her closeness to her family that kept hope alive for her.
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