Name:__________________________________Class:________________________Date:_________________________
The Cellist of Sarajevo- Guided Reading
Directions: Complete the questions as you read the novel. Be sure to cite page numbers when providing
explanations/evidence to support your answer.
I. Introduction: “the cellist” (xv-xix)
1. What factual information does the author provide about the effect of the siege on the cellist?
2. Why does the author repeat the following paragraph several times during this section?
“It screamed downward, splitting the air and sky without effort. A target expanded in size, brought into focus by time
and velocity. There was a moment before impact that was the last instant of things as they were. Then the visible
world exploded.”
3. How is the last repetition of that paragraph different from the others? Why does the author do that?
II.a Chapter One: “arrow” (3-12)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Why does Arrow call herself “Arrow”?
2. Why did the author make the sniper a female?
3. Why does Arrow struggle with choosing which target to shoot?
II.b. Chapter One: “kenan” (13-22)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. How has the siege affected the lives of Kenan and his family?
2. Why does the author use “for now” in the sentence, “At least their children are, for now, still children”?
II.c. Chapter One: “dragan” (23-33)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Why does the author include a reference to the 1984 Olympic Games?
2. On pages 24-25, the author makes references to ancient and prehistoric settlements in Sarajevo. Why does he do
that?
III.a. Chapter Two: “kenan” (37-54)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. In Kenan’s mind, no matter what else happens, the war will not be over until the trains run again. Why? (What do
the trains symbolize?)
2. What is the economic impact of the war? Give specific examples.
III.b. Chapter Two: “arrow” (55-64)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Why is Arrow the first character to come in contact with the cellist?
2. What is her reaction to the cellist?
III.c. Chapter Two: “dragan” (65-79)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. On page 66, Galloway explains that “Dragan can barely bring himself to nod a polite hello to a stranger, let alone talk
to an old friend.” How does this passage give us a deeper understanding of how the siege is affecting Dragan (and,
possibly, the other characters)?
III.d. Chapter Two: “arrow” (80-96)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Does Arrow decide to protect the cellist? Why (or why not)? What decision would you make? Explain.
2. On page 86, Arrow wonders whether the cellist knows he is being protected. Does it matter if he knows? Why or
why not?
III.e. Chapter Two: “kenan” (97-106)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Why do you think Kenan continues to bring water for Mrs. Ritovski? Explain.
III.f. Chapter Two: “dragan” (107-119)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. On pages 109-110, Dragan and Emina have a conversation about the cellist’s motivation to play music (and about why
the cellist selected such a sad song.) Why do you think the author included this conversation? What does it tell the
reader about the effect of the siege on the people of Sarajevo?
III.g. Chapter Two: “arrow” (120-136)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Why does Arrow hesitate to shoot the sniper?
III.h. Chapter Two: “kenan” (137-152)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. What are the three “types” of people Kenan notices during this part of the book (p. 144-147)? Which one are you?
Explain.
IV.a. Chapter Three: “dragan” (155-164)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Do you think Dragan will leave Sarajevo? Do you think he should? Explain.
IV.b. Chapter Three: “arrow” (165-180)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. What does Arrow learn about the realities of war from her conversation with Colonel Karaman?
IV.c. Chapter Three: “kenan” (181-193)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. What does Kenan observe about the black market in Sarajevo?
2. What are Kenan’s reactions to the cellist? What happens to the city as the cellist starts to play?
IV.d. Chapter Three: “arrow” (194-204)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
IV.e. Chapter Three: “dragan” (205-213)
List all of the facts the author provides in this section.
1. Why doesn’t Dragan want the cameraman to film the hatless man’s body?
V.a. Chapter Four: “kenan” (217-221)
1. What causes Kenan to go back out into the street? How does this action summarize Kenan’s experiences throughout
the book?
V.b. Chapter Four: “dragan” (222-225)
1. On page 223, Dragan realizes that “if he wishes to live, he must do what he can to prevent the world he wants to live
in from fading away.” What does he mean by this, and how does this statement summarize Dragan’s experiences
throughout the book?
V.c. Chapter Four: “arrow” (226-231)
1. Why was the cellist crying?
2. Why does Galloway tell us Arrow’s “real” name?