War has always been one of the most shocking and destructive elements of human history. In his novel The Cellist of Sarajevo, Canadian author Steven Galloway tries to summarize the effects war has on individuals. Galloway points out that although war has a significant impact on people, it is the citizens' positive outlook that allows them to grow in times of great pain. The author shows such a vision of humanity through the symbolic use of music, images of broken glass and wildflowers. Ultimately, Galloway highlights the positive potential of the human spirit, even in times of struggle and conflict. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The importance of the cellist to the moral of the story cannot be overstated. The cellist is an individual who attempts, in the face of great danger, to play his instrument for twenty-two consecutive days. As the author makes clear, this is in commemoration of the twenty-two victims who died following a mortar attack on a crowded bakery in the besieged city of Sarajevo. In Galloway's composition, the narrator takes on the role of Kenan, a character whose daily routine involves collecting water for his family. Kenan is a great admirer of music and states that he “went to hear the cellist play every day after the brewery bombing. Every day at four o'clock he stands in the street with his back against the wall and watches the city being reassembled and its people awakening from hibernation” (Galloway 2008). Even at the sight of the bombed brewery, at the music that the cellist plays before Kenan offers him escape. It leads him to realize that while war is a challenge and a struggle for all individuals in society, there is still room for great beauty even in times when all hope may seem lost. It is the healing music given to Kenan that allows him to gain a positive outlook on life. The piece that the cellist plays, entitled Adagio by Albinoni, is significant in itself. The piece was discovered during the height of World War II, in a burned church in Dresden, Germany (Galloway 2016); a city historically known for having suffered one of the worst firebombings of the war (Alan 2016). In the prologue it is stated: “That something could be almost erased from existence in the landscape of a ruined city, and then rebuilt until it was new and useful” (Galloway 2016). The song that the cellist plays represents not only the healing effects of music, but also the hope of returning to their once great city, which allows people to grow in a time of great pain. Broken glass is littered around the city of Sarajevo, torn apart by mortar fire and numerous sniper shells. This is emphasized in the passage where the narrator points out that, even as all of Sarajevo's windows are shattered, citizens like the ace sniper, aptly nicknamed Arrow, still keep the remains as souvenirs. (Galloway 2016). It is important to note that the author does not simply represent the daily struggles of the city's people, but also the hope that shines through the surviving pieces of shattered glass. They are the surviving glass pieces that allow a way out for those surrounded, a hope and courage that allows them to be optimistic about their lives and their future. Even at a time when many of these pieces of glass may be shattering, it is the remaining ones they cling to that gives them hope. In addition to glass, also i.