The Cellist of Sarajevo

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What generally fuels a civil war in more modern times? What dangers might citizens face during civil war? What is the economic impact of war? What emotional conflict might victims of civil war face?

Teaching Suggestion: In the novel, the four main characters are in the midst of a civil war during the Siege of Sarajevo. In Sarajevo, there are food shortages, few clean water resources, bombings, and snipers because of the war. Each character must face the challenge of living in Sarajevo during this violent time. Consider discussing civil war, the challenges that civilians must face during civil war, the emotional impact of war on civilians, and the prevalence of civil war around the world.

• This encyclopedia entry describes civil war, its causes, and changes to war in modern times.
• This article from The New Republic discusses the increasing number of civil wars since World War II and the possibility of civil war in western countries.

Short Activity

Explore scholarly resources to develop an understanding of the Bosnian War, the Siege of Sarajevo, and the effects of the civil war in Sarajevo.