Wwz Topeka Kansas

Topeka, Kansas, USA

Topeka Kansas is a story about loss and identity. A traumatic story told from a woman physically in her prime life though psychologically trapped in the mindset of a four year old. Sharon’s powerful recount expressed in World War Z explores her eroding identity, absolute loss and humanity in contrast with religion. Max Brooks’ delivery of this traumatic tale holds great credibility as it is expressed with much emotion from the main protagonist Sharon. This literary technique is used exceedingly well, allowing the reader to explore her past.

Identity is a major theme of this short story as it explores the unfortunately short life of a young adult. Max Brooks’ constant juxtaposition of this young beautiful woman revealing her tale as a child creates an eerie atmosphere for the reader. From the opening line “We were in the church, Mommy and me” (pg73) readers are immediately bombarded with the fact that this is no ordinary woman. Sharon is trapped. She verbally reveals a painful experience that she relives every single day. Sharon may physically be in her prime life but her whole life she will constantly have this dark shadow over her head, reminding her of the day her identity was put on pause.

Topeka Kansas is a symbolically confronting tale as it contrasts the ideas of mankind versus religion. Brooks did this intentionally to act as a parallel display of values in today’s society. The terrified families and civilians of the town all gathered themselves in the local church, desperately seeking safety from the zombies. In the midst of chaos people were trapping themselves inside, ignoring all instructions from the leader Pastor Dan. Subsequently this ‘holy utopia’s’ walls were shattered, along with the idea that religion was right and the bible was pure. This doubt of religion was inferred from the mercy killing from the pastor’s wife Mrs Cormode “…picked her up. She mimes lifting something, someone, up and swinging them against the wall”...