Essay Questions

Is the character Havaa a victim of circumstances?

Havaa is only eight years old when the Russian war breaks in her home ground. She is left homeless after her family house is burned and her father abducted. She is left homeless and lonely but Sonja comes to her rescue. Havaa story is told from a horrific reality of war and the sufferings that the victims of war go through. Havaa’s entire life is full of misery and misery because the memories of the war, burning of her home and the abduction of her father still remain fresh in her mind. Therefore, Havaa is a victim of circumstances because she is not to blame for the hardships she is going through in her life.

How is Russian oppression a main theme in the novel?

The author of this novel has focused on the actual suffering of the victims of war in Russia. Using Havaa as an example, the author paints a picture which shows that the innocent people are the ones who suffer most during and after war. For instance, the author illustrates how the Federal Russian Authorities invaded the Chenchen neighborhood and caused massive destruction to the inhabitants. There are few medical facilities to handle fatalities in this area showing how oppressed and marginalized people are. Therefore, it is indeed true that the oppression of the Russian people is the main theme in this novel.

What is the satirical meaning of Havaa’s nightmare?

Havaa is a young girl and just like any other kid, she should wake up from her dreams to find a peaceful environment. However, the reality is exactly the opposite when Havaa wakes up from her dream. She wakes up to a warm tone country and finds out that she is left to die after her house has been burned and her father abducted.