English Language A | The Bright Lights of Sarajevo, Tony Harrison

Hello and Welcome: Studying 'The Bright Lights of Sarajevo'

Hello! Welcome to your study notes on Tony Harrison’s powerful poem, ‘The Bright Lights of Sarajevo’. This poem is a bit like a snapshot in time—a brief, unforgettable look at human life continuing, even in the middle of a terrible war.

Studying this poem helps you explore essential themes of human resilience, the impact of conflict, and the meaning of hope—all crucial topics for your Edexcel International GCSE English Language A exam. Don't worry if poetry sometimes seems tricky; we’ll break down Harrison’s techniques step-by-step!

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1. Essential Context: Understanding Sarajevo

To truly understand the emotional weight of this poem, you must grasp the historical setting. Harrison is writing about a very real and tragic event.

The Bosnian War and The Siege

• Time: The poem reflects the situation during the Siege of Sarajevo (1992–1996), one of the longest sieges in modern warfare.
• The Situation: The city was surrounded by enemy forces positioned in the hills. Life was incredibly dangerous; essential services like electricity and water were cut off, and citizens faced constant threats from shelling and snipers.
• Harrison’s Role: Tony Harrison, a British poet, visited Sarajevo during the conflict. His aim was to capture how ordinary people lived under extraordinary threat.

Imagine trying to go to the shop for milk knowing that stepping into the street could mean being shot. That level of constant danger is the background noise of this poem.

Key Takeaway

The poem is a testimonial to the citizens of Sarajevo, highlighting their bravery simply in trying to live a normal life while surrounded by death.

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2. Summary and Core Themes

The poem focuses on a single, frozen moment: people queuing outside a cinema, trying to forget the war for a short while.

A. What Happens? (A Simple Narrative Breakdown)

1. The poem sets the scene: It’s dark, dangerous, and people are queuing outside a cinema that offers a brief escape.
2. The focus shifts to the small dangers: The queue must constantly adjust because the snow hides dangerous things (like trip wires or shell holes).
3. The central event occurs: A young couple crosses the square, holding hands, seemingly oblivious to the danger ("too bold").
4. The community reacts: The queue quickly parts and closes behind them to ensure the couple has a clear path, momentarily putting their own safety aside for this gesture of love.

B. The Two Main Themes

Harrison presents powerful ideas about humanity:

1. Resilience and Defiance:

• Despite the horrific conditions, the people refuse to let war destroy their spirit.
• They still seek joy (the cinema, popcorn, love). This act of seeking normalcy is itself an act of defiance against the enemy.

2. Contrast: Normality vs. Horror (Juxtaposition):

• The poem constantly puts the mundane next to the terrifying.
• Example: The smell of popcorn (fun, peace) exists alongside the threat of a sniper (death, war). This juxtaposition shows the bizarre reality of wartime life.

Did You Know?

The cinema shown in the poem was located near a notorious area known as "Sniper Alley," making the act of queuing there even more dangerous and defiant.

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3. Form and Structure: Creating Control in Chaos

The structure Harrison chooses is key to conveying the emotional atmosphere of Sarajevo.

A. The Use of Couplets

The entire poem is written in couplets—stanzas of only two lines.

What is the effect of the couplet structure?

• Order and Control: The strict, paired structure creates a sense of tight control and order. This mirrors the citizens’ desperate attempt to keep their emotions and lives orderly in a chaotic war zone.
• Connection: Couplets often represent pairs (the two lines, the couple, the two shoes). They emphasise the importance of human connection and partnership in surviving conflict.
• Rhythm: The lines often use iambic rhythm, giving the poem a steady, almost marching pace, suggesting determination and continuation.

Memory Trick: Think of Couplets for Control and Connection.

B. Rhyme and Enjambment

• Rhyme: Harrison uses a mixture of full rhymes and half-rhyme (also called slant rhyme). The half-rhymes (like "old" / "bold" or "stone" / "on") often sound slightly unsettling or off-kilter, reflecting how things are not quite right in Sarajevo—danger constantly breaks the 'perfect' flow of life.
• Enjambment: Many lines use enjambment (where a line runs on to the next without punctuation). This speeds up the pace and reflects the urgency or rush of movement needed when crossing dangerous ground.

Key Takeaway

The strict, formal structure (couplets) contrasts with the uncontrolled chaos of the war, showing the human effort to impose meaning and order.

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4. Key Language, Imagery, and Tone

Harrison uses sharp, contrasting imagery to highlight the horror of the war and the beauty of resilience.

A. The Symbolism of Light and Dark

This contrast is the central metaphor of the poem:

1. Darkness (The Threat):

• The city is dark to avoid snipers. The darkness is personified: it is "black, outmoded, / heavy, old-style soul."
• The word "soul" suggests the darkness is spiritual and ancient, weighing down the city.

2. Light (Hope and Danger):

• The "bright lights" of the cinema are attractive and alluring—they symbolise hope and escape.
• However, Harrison reminds us that light also makes people visible to the enemy: the light is "pin-prick bright," suggesting it is vulnerable and small against the overwhelming blackness.

B. The Imagery of Movement and Feet

The focus on the queue and the couple’s feet is very important:

“The queue splits, parts beside the / two young lovers...”

• The Couple: The couple is the symbol of life, love, and defiance. They cross the "no-man’s-land" (a military term for the dangerous, exposed space between fighting forces). Their movement, whether they "walked, or ran," shows they are risking death for a normal moment together.
• The Shoes: The people in the queue must lift their shoes instantly when told. The remaining imprints in the snow are symbols of temporary survival and the momentary pause of the war for love. The shoes, ready to be lifted, represent the fragility of life.

C. Irony and Tone

• Irony: There is deep irony that people line up for a 'show' inside the cinema when the real, life-or-death drama is happening outside on the street.
• Tone: The tone is initially descriptive and almost detached, but it shifts to admiration for the couple and the community ("shoulder close, too bold"). Harrison’s feeling is one of respect for human survival instinct.

Encouragement Note

When analysing imagery, remember to always state what the image is (e.g., the bright lights) and what it represents (e.g., hope but also vulnerability).

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5. Quick Review and Exam Application

When tackling an exam question on 'The Bright Lights of Sarajevo,' remember to always link Harrison's poetic choices directly back to the reality of the war.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t forget the context: Always mention the Siege of Sarajevo. The danger is not abstract; it’s snipers.
• Don't ignore the structure: The couplets are not random! They are a deliberate choice reflecting order and connection.

Quick Review Box: Must-Know Techniques

Keep these points in mind, and you will be well-prepared to discuss how Tony Harrison uses language and structure to explore the devastating yet ultimately hopeful reality of life during the Siege of Sarajevo.