This essay examines the important supportive role diaries can play for children in coping with war and experiencing war at first hand. In particular, it is concerned with the diary of Zlata Flipovic's autobiographic work "Zlata's Diary. A Child's Life in Sarajevo" and the Yugoslav Wars".
Therefore, the author begins by giving background information on the Yugoslav Wars and a short general introduction to the diary itself, before describing the diary and it's content more extensively. Here, the authors puts special emphasis on the potential therapeutic effects of journal writing, especially when suffering under PTSD. In a third step, she further examines the specific techniques of writing within the context of the diary.
Finally, a short conclusion based on the aforementioned facts is drawn.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Yugoslavia War
3. Zlata’s Diary
3.1 How the war stole her childhood
3.2 Zlata and PTSD
3.3 The Journal Therapy
4. Diary Writing and its Versatility
4.1 The Techniques of Writing
4.2 War Diaries
5. Conclusion
6 References
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the impact of war on children and evaluates the supportive, therapeutic role of diary writing. The primary research objective is to determine how the act of keeping a personal journal helps young individuals cope with the traumatic experiences of war, specifically analyzing Zlata Filipovic's writings during the conflict in Sarajevo.
- The psychological effects of war on children and their development.
- The function of diary writing as a means of self-expression and emotional processing.
- Analysis of specific journaling techniques as defined by journal therapy literature.
- The significance of personal war diaries in fostering empathy and global awareness.
Excerpts from the Book
3.1 How the war stole her childhood
In April 1992 the war arrived in Sarajevo. Zlata now realizes that “[w]ar is no joke. […] It destroys, kills, burns, separates, brings unhappiness.”(ZD:35) Understanding that this is the turning point in her life where she is no longer an innocent child, Zlata has to deal with the loss of friends, poverty, shelling, frightening and the feeling to be left alone.
The first case of death in Zlata’s young life is her friend Nina from kindergarten. She gets killed by a shell which felt on a park. Zlata’s reactions are sadness, anger and being horrified. Studies showed that children with the age of ten to twelve years understand that “death is permanent and may be fascinated by the gory aspects. […] They may [try] to become perfect to make up for losses.”6 In the case of Zlata I can determine that she tries to process this change in her life. She comprehends that her friend got killed by shelling in a park and she knows that this shelling is a consequence of war but she does not get an idea of why war is going on or who gets benefits out of it.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the scope of the research, focusing on the impact of war on children and introducing Zlata Filipovic’s diary as the primary case study for therapeutic writing.
2. The Yugoslavia War: This section provides a brief historical overview of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia to establish the environmental context of Zlata's experience.
3. Zlata’s Diary: This chapter analyzes the personal impact of the war on Zlata, her reaction to trauma, and how her diary served as a vital emotional outlet.
3.1 How the war stole her childhood: This section explores the transition from innocence to trauma as Zlata experiences loss, displacement, and the existential threat of shelling.
3.2 Zlata and PTSD: This part examines the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and assesses Zlata's mental state throughout the war years.
3.3 The Journal Therapy: This section discusses the theoretical framework of journal therapy and its application in Zlata’s unconscious process of self-healing.
4. Diary Writing and its Versatility: This chapter explores the broad spectrum of diary writing, ranging from personal journals to specialized formats like travel or medical logs.
4.1 The Techniques of Writing: This section details specific natural and special writing techniques that allow diarists to externalize emotions and find psychological relief.
4.2 War Diaries: This chapter contextualizes Zlata’s work alongside other collections, such as 'Stolen Voices', to emphasize the global importance of war literature.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, affirming the supportive role of diary writing in helping young people process and navigate war-related trauma.
6 References: A compilation of primary and secondary sources used to support the analysis.
Keywords
Diary writing, Zlata Filipovic, War in Sarajevo, Journal therapy, Childhood trauma, PTSD, Catharsis, Self-expression, Conflict, Psychological healing, Autobiographical writing, Tristine Rainer, War diaries, Coping mechanisms, Personal development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the psychological effects of war on children and investigates how maintaining a personal diary can act as a therapeutic tool for coping with traumatic experiences.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The main themes include the history of the Yugoslav war, the loss of childhood innocence, the nature of journal therapy, and the techniques diarists use to express complex emotions.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to determine if and how diary writing provides meaningful emotional support and a therapeutic outlet for young people living through war.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, synthesizing existing literature on journal therapy and trauma with a close reading of Zlata Filipovic's personal diary entries.
What content is discussed in the main part of the work?
The main part details the context of the war in Yugoslavia, the specific case study of Zlata's survival, and a broader analysis of various diary-writing techniques and their psychological functions.
Which keywords define this research?
Key terms include diary writing, journal therapy, trauma, childhood, war, Sarajevo, and emotional expression.
How does Zlata's use of her diary differ from formal journal therapy?
Unlike formal journal therapy sessions, Zlata’s writing was an intuitive, happenstance creation that functioned as an essential companion, providing a safe space for thoughts she could not share with others.
What is the significance of 'Mimmy' in the context of Zlata's diary?
Zlata names her diary 'Mimmy' and treats it as a confidant, which transforms the act of writing into a personal relationship that mitigates feelings of loneliness and isolation during the war.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2014, Children at War and the Supportive Role of Diaries. The Case of "Zlata's Diary. A Child's Life in Sarajevo", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/498107
