Hiroshima

Hiroshima[pic 1]

John Hersey introduces the world to the atomic bomb (A Bomb) by retelling the experiences of six survivors.  These individuals shared their stories with Hersey and for many in the West, became the “faces” of the atomic bomb.  At that time, the world did not understand the wide-spread devastation the bomb could cause and the immediate and long-term effects of radiation exposure. Following the Japanese Imperial Army bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan, and the Japanese became the enemy, but Hersey’s articles, although strikingly lacking in pathos, puts a human face on the Japanese people. Without emotion or personal opinion, describes with horrifying clarity, what happens when a human being is subjected to an atomic bomb.  He profiles a young office worker, just out of high school, a mother whose husband died in war, two doctors from very different backgrounds, a German priest, and a Japanese Methodist minister who was educated in America.   [pic 2]

Hersey will follow these individuals, using their stories to tell the story of hundreds of thousands affected by the bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  He will shift between each individual and then come back to the first to pick up his or her narrative at a later point.  

The Decision Makers[pic 3]

It can be easy to look back 70 years and second guess the decisions of those involved—so we will examine primary sources—sources written at the time by individuals who were personally involved in the process.  We will also examine the situation through a modern lens, applying what we know now.  I challenge you to dig—to think like a historian—to act like an advisor to the leadership—and form an opinion based in the facts and that means you must read, read, read, read, read.

Navigating the Book  

Hersey’s arrangement becomes very confusing for students.  I suggest that you use the following notetaking system.  Create a page for each survivor and a seventh for the bomb.  Read the section first, and then move back through the section, outlining the details.  Be brief—this exercise should not take you more than about a half-an-hour. I did the first 11 pages for you—add what you like to these pages and complete the last 5 pages.  [pic 4][pic 5]

We will use these notes every day to create a ten-minute write the next day in class—write your reaction, avoiding first person if possible.  This is an academic argument.  Make a claim with a claim and a warrant.  Explain the claim, use evidence and your own commentary to defend.  Conclude the argument.  To prepare for this exercise, choose in advance which of the following you will use.[pic 6]

Use the following list as possible ideas starters or create your own.

• What does Hersey’s text reveal about every day citizens?
• How do these “enemies” seem more like us?
• How did each react differently from how they expected to react?  How you expected them to react?
• Based on their proximity to the bomb, how were they affected differently?
• What does Hersey’s text reveal about the Japanese culture and their relationship to each other/to the government/to a sense of honor/to responsibility/to the Empower? Etc.
• How did the Japanese government respond?  What would have been a better response? Why?
• How did the West respond—specifically the US?  How should we respond?
• Is there a modern connection to be made?  Read about the testing conducted by North Korea.  What should be our response?
• What is revealed about the effects of the atomic bomb?
• Where does Hersey’s writing move you to emotion, create a visual picture for you?  Capture that language and explore his writing.

Reverend Tanimoto