Hiroshima Monograph, Essay Example

What is the book’s main point?

The main point that is conveyed by Hersey is the manner by which the lives of the people of the city of Hiroshima Japan had been changed by the bomb that was dropped on August 6, 1945. The number of fatalities that had been experienced were 100,000. The number of casualties totaled to 100,000. The lives of six of the Atomic bomb blast survivors had been reviewed longitudinally for four decades. These people are Mrs. Nakamura, Miss Sasaki, Father Kleinsorge, Reverend Tanimoto, Dr. Fujii and Dr. Sasaki (Hersey 23- 24).

Is the main point of the book convincing?

The main point is convincing due to the longitude of the study that is being conducted in the book and the graphic illustrations that are made regarding the horrors of the aftermath of the atomic bomb dropping at Hiroshima. There had been no political protests or reaction from the Empire of Japan as a whole (Hersey 20). Hersey reviews how the survivors attempted to adhere together as a community of people. Those who had been able to extend help to others did help. There had been others who had to tend to their own needs. The homelessness and the destruction compelled many of the survivors to unite and help one another (Hersey 53). Many of those who suffered horrific injuries did not yell as a result of their injuries, they simply maintained their pain in silence. Hersey observes that one of the characteristics of the Japanese is that they do not disturb their neighbors when they are in distress (Hersey 19).

How does the author substantiate his claims?

Hersey substantiates one claim where the people are quietly suffering as they sit by the river (Hersey 25). He demonstrates the manner by which everyone was accepting of their fate. It was an event that could “not he helped” (Hersey 47). In addition, there is the radiant new grass that is growing which is symbolic of the rebirth that would take place. Notwithstanding that many of the bomb survivors would never heal, the grass which is growing shows that nature is willing to heal and start anew. Another claim is when the people had been transported to Asano Park, they were killed by drowning in the tide which ascended (Hersey 21). Many of the people who perished in the atomic bomb blast believed that they perspired in the name of the Emperor (Hersey 47). In addition,

What critique did you find fault with in the claim? Even if you agree with the author, you can still offer criticism.

I disagreed with the summarization of the radiation casualties. The document stated that there had been slight injuries that had been inflicted form the radiation and that many recovered. In fact, many of the survivors succumb to radiation sickness and had their hair falling out. This claim I am in complete disagreement as it had been intended to minimize the long term damage caused by the atomic bomb blast (Hersey 90).

What sources did the author use to write the monograph and make their argument?

One of the sources that Hersey applies in the narrative is the testimony of Father John A. Siemes. This is a primary reference who had been there as a professor of philosophy at Tokyo’s Catholic University (Hersey 49). A second reference that Hersey applies is the Manhattan engineer district dated June 29, 1946 (Hersey 60). The final reference applied by Hersey is from the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 1975 titled: Worldwide Effects of Nuclear War (Hersey 95).

Were these sources adequate?

In my opinion, it would have been difficult to find a primary resource for the monogram. Heresy had been able to find a primary resource in Father Siemes. In addition, the longitudinal studies that had been conducted over the six people who survived the initial blast had been effective.

Your overall impressions of the monograph and its effectiveness.

The monograph had served a political purpose. The political purpose was to create intimidation by means of the recounting of the first atomic bomb attack.

Works Cited

Hersey, John. Hiroshima. EFL Club.