An Analysis Of John Hersey's 'Hiroshima'
The setting of a story can help show the progress of a character. The setting may also be the reason the main character(s) act a certain way. In the novel Hiroshima by John Hersey he describes the life of six different individuals who were effected by the atomic bomb in 1945. The setting of the entire novel is in Hiroshima, Japan.
In the first chapter of the story the setting is in Hiroshima, Japan and follow the lives of the people before the bombing. Everyone is living their lives normally and are following through their regular procedures. This part of the setting shows the innocence of the people of Japan, as they are not aware of what is about to happen. Though this also shows the ignorance of the Japanese. They were in the middle
of war and had not thought of safety precautions in their own city.
In the second chapter Hiroshima is in chaos as the people are scrambling about and are trying to run to safety. The bomb had struck and the citizens were all looking for safety. This represents chaos and turmoil between the main characters. The main characters’ whole world is being destroyed right before them and they run. They look for their families and friends to seek protection in the case of there being another accident. At the time the bombing could have also represented hope. The citizens were looking for their families and were looking for a way away from their chaotic city.
In the fifth chapter the setting is post-bombing Hiroshima. The setting represents peace. The main characters had all began their lives anew with all the characters living out their lives as they had before. This is important because it shows how the survivors (citizens of Hiroshima, Japan) lived on with their lives and how they had rebuilt after the bomb.
The setting of a story is important as it shows how the main character grows within the story. It also shows the way the other characters react to the changing of the setting. The setting of a story can have special meanings to those who have lived in that setting their entire lives.
In the first chapter of the story the setting is in Hiroshima, Japan and follow the lives of the people before the bombing. Everyone is living their lives normally and are following through their regular procedures. This part of the setting shows the innocence of the people of Japan, as they are not aware of what is about to happen. Though this also shows the ignorance of the Japanese. They were in the middle
of war and had not thought of safety precautions in their own city.
In the second chapter Hiroshima is in chaos as the people are scrambling about and are trying to run to safety. The bomb had struck and the citizens were all looking for safety. This represents chaos and turmoil between the main characters. The main characters’ whole world is being destroyed right before them and they run. They look for their families and friends to seek protection in the case of there being another accident. At the time the bombing could have also represented hope. The citizens were looking for their families and were looking for a way away from their chaotic city.
In the fifth chapter the setting is post-bombing Hiroshima. The setting represents peace. The main characters had all began their lives anew with all the characters living out their lives as they had before. This is important because it shows how the survivors (citizens of Hiroshima, Japan) lived on with their lives and how they had rebuilt after the bomb.
The setting of a story is important as it shows how the main character grows within the story. It also shows the way the other characters react to the changing of the setting. The setting of a story can have special meanings to those who have lived in that setting their entire lives.