Setting

The short story “The Sentry” by Téa Obreht probably takes place in the context of the Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001). This is suggested through the author’s background (Téa Obreht was born in former Yugoslavia) as well as through the characters’ names (Bojan, Mrs Senka) and the references to war (ll. 1-2, ll. 44-46).…

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Social setting

The social setting conveys aspects related to war, the influence of parents and adults on children, and bullying.

The story suggests the events take place during the Yugoslav wars. One aspect related to war is that nobody feels safe, as indicated by the fact that Mrs Senka has a gun: “Mrs Senka slept there, kept her pistol in the dresser drawer in case somebody came into the house while his father was gone...” (ll. 67-68)

Furthermore, the story mentions that the neighbours did not dare to complain about Kaiser directly because they feared Bojan’s father, who was a sentry in a prisoners’ camp: “People complained, but always indirectly, with reluctance, usually at church and in ways that made their concerns seem more like observations than actual grievances. They knew Bojan's father; they seemed to know better.” (ll. 38-40). Perhaps the neighbours are aware of his behaviour as a military sentry and maybe fear his brutality.

Through Bojan’s father, the narrative illustrates aspects related to the impact war has on soldiers. We do not know if Bojan’s father was different before the war, but during the war he acts aggressively with Bojan and tries to teach the boy a lesson by killing the dog. His actions suggested he might be suffering from a mental condition possibly caused by a war trauma.

Additional…