Chapter II The Fire

- The structure of the text is important, specifically the chapter organization. It provides a
record of his experiences and interviews; however the structure follows the after effects of
the bomb.
- Sophie is the best.
- Emphasis on the wounded and suffering
- Dominant values and other notion of the other and the yellow peril, based on the
differences between the Japanese and west e.g. the physical and cultural disparities.
- Americans saw the attack as justifiable, to end the war. They also saw themselves as a the
superior race (Trumans speech)
- The publication impacted the reader as it was released after world had been sheltered from
the truth and reality. Herseys account brought the reality to the readers, showing the
humanization of the characters. E.g mother caring for her children, working in a factory.
(Elaborating the point)
- Hersey displays the pain and suffering through graphic portrayal forces the reader to
revaluate what they had previously thought and believed. Challenges the dominant way of
thinking.
- Hersey actively chooses to (deliberately, on purpose) to portray accurate and confronting
through journalistic style.
- QUOTE: from scientist in Manhattan project, after reading Hiroshima I am filled with
shame to recall the whoopee spirit - feels this due to the style of writing
- QUOTE: I wonder if we do yet what fully happened Even a scientist from the project is left
with questions around the capacity of atomic energy.
- Ambiguity through presenting it as a journalistic report giving the reader the ability to
interpret on their own
- Characterisation of the Japanese as multi-layered people, evokes empathy in the American
people due to the deliberate choice of two religious and doctors
- Use of confronting images: QUOTE houses nearby were burning, she heard two small
voices nearby calling help help. Her baby was badly cut emotive baby deliberate
- Journalistic style allows readers to witness history, challenging the dominant way of thinking
by giving the reader an eye-witness account.
- Deliberate use of statistics dispassionate however provides an emotive response the baby
was cut
- QUOTE: In a city of 245 000, nearly 100 000 had been killed or doomed at one blow (p25)
Deliberate choice gives emotion and feeling by using statistics to show the effect on the
people rather than the damage to inadamate objects such as buildings. This increases the
readers understating of the large scale tragedy. Statistics such as this along with graphic
realism forces the reader to reconsider the truth or authority and traditional institution. This
started a shift in the immediate thinking after the bomb.
- Huge drops of water the size of marbles began to fall, they were actually (p25) This rose
questions of morality and ethics and about the overall human issue of this technology.
- Why is it night already? Why did the house fall down questions children were asking
reflected the many questions that everybody had.
- Religious & Philosophical Paradigms.
- Use of biblical echoes
- The challenge to belief and tradition to humanity are extreme at this point. However Hersey
continues his lack of direct comment and the readers are free to interpret the events in
different ways. (Ambiguity)
- Mr Tanimoto represents for the reader goodness and Hersey has actively chosen his acts
of kindness. Challenges us to find this in humanity. (Compassionate Japanese man is
challenging to pre-bomb thinking) E.G he ferries people across Asano River. He also
organizes fire fighting and returns to town for food for the victims. In this sense he becomes
a true Christian (Christian values in the other).
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