Hiroshima: Illuminating the Destruction The bombing of Hiroshima during World War II is often depicted through an American lens as a necessary barrage to end the worst wars in history. Despite this means to an end rationalization, the victims of this bombing are usually represented as an integer of casualties, rather than individual human beings. The perspectives of those affected by the bombing came to light when the book Hiroshima was written in 1946. Hiroshima is a nonfiction book written by Pulitzer Prize winner John Hersey that creates unparalleled depth to this event by divulging the stories of six survivors and how this experience affected their lives. It was this unique plot that drew me to Hersey’s book because it was able to put
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There are multiple ways to look at an event depending on how one is affected by it. John Hersey’s book, Hiroshima, is no exception. At several points throughout the book, I was able to draw connections to specific elements that have been examined in American history. The first concept that pervades throughout the book is the construct of social classes. Social classes have been entrenched in American history since its inception and in reading Hiroshima it is evident that it exists in Japanese culture as well. Dr. Sasaki is a prime example of this. In the decades after the bombing, he is able to regain his prominent status as a physician and becomes particularly affluent. Despite his wealth, Dr. Sasaki is unlike other Hiroshima doctors because “he was not attracted, as they were, to the exclusive high society of the medical associations” (Hersey 109). Even though Dr. Sasaki chooses to detach from the aristocrats of the medical profession, he is nevertheless still in a higher social class than most. To take this point further, Miss Nakamura is on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to social class. This character lives in poverty throughout most of her life and must work exceptionally hard to make ends meet, particularly after the bombing. Comparing Dr. Sasaki with Miss Nakamura reveals that there is stratification of social classes in Japan just as there is …show more content…
With mounting pressure to end the war, the United States dropped atomic bombs, one of which was on Hiroshima, to force Japan’s surrender. This action may have saved American lives as President Truman justifies, but as John Hersey illuminates through, Hiroshima this was at a great cost to hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese citizens. Hersey’s depiction and style of writing about these six survivors of Hiroshima is what makes this book so impactful, even 80 years after being written. Furthermore, what ultimately makes Hiroshima a book worth reading is the value it holds still to this day. Reading books like this helps readers gain an understanding of others’ perspective in times of trail and tribute; this multifaceted understanding can be applied to future decisions, which like the bombing, may impact
There are multiple ways to look at an event depending on how one is affected by it. John Hersey’s book, Hiroshima, is no exception. At several points throughout the book, I was able to draw connections to specific elements that have been examined in American history. The first concept that pervades throughout the book is the construct of social classes. Social classes have been entrenched in American history since its inception and in reading Hiroshima it is evident that it exists in Japanese culture as well. Dr. Sasaki is a prime example of this. In the decades after the bombing, he is able to regain his prominent status as a physician and becomes particularly affluent. Despite his wealth, Dr. Sasaki is unlike other Hiroshima doctors because “he was not attracted, as they were, to the exclusive high society of the medical associations” (Hersey 109). Even though Dr. Sasaki chooses to detach from the aristocrats of the medical profession, he is nevertheless still in a higher social class than most. To take this point further, Miss Nakamura is on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to social class. This character lives in poverty throughout most of her life and must work exceptionally hard to make ends meet, particularly after the bombing. Comparing Dr. Sasaki with Miss Nakamura reveals that there is stratification of social classes in Japan just as there is …show more content…
With mounting pressure to end the war, the United States dropped atomic bombs, one of which was on Hiroshima, to force Japan’s surrender. This action may have saved American lives as President Truman justifies, but as John Hersey illuminates through, Hiroshima this was at a great cost to hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese citizens. Hersey’s depiction and style of writing about these six survivors of Hiroshima is what makes this book so impactful, even 80 years after being written. Furthermore, what ultimately makes Hiroshima a book worth reading is the value it holds still to this day. Reading books like this helps readers gain an understanding of others’ perspective in times of trail and tribute; this multifaceted understanding can be applied to future decisions, which like the bombing, may impact