Hiroshima is the story of six survivors succeeding the bombing on Hiroshima, Japan. The book follows a variety of people including doctors, priests, and even a tailor. The first four chapters of the books re-create the events directly after the Hiroshima bombing, and the 5th chapter, or “The Aftermath,” goes into the lives the six survivors lead after the bombing (90). Throughout the book, Hersey explores the different viewpoints of the survivors, there immediate and short term reactions to the bombing, along with the u¬¬ltimate effects and weight the memories of the bombing carried on them. The direct reactions from the Hiroshima bombing allows readers to glimpse into what it was like to be there directly after the bombing. ¬ Reverend Kiyoshi Tanimoto, survivor of Hiroshima, is one of the more complex characters due to his American ties and his internal struggle of not being accepted completely into the Japanese community. Even with these internal struggles, Tanimoto shows bravery and leadership in the events directly after the bombing, for example, when he …show more content…
It is a type of pride for Japanese to be injured or killed when it is in the name of their emperor. Dr. Hiraiwa asserts “What a fortunate that we are Japanese! It was my first time I ever tasted such a beautiful spirit when I decided to die for our Emperor,” this leads to the thought that one who was not injured by the attack on Hiroshima may feel as if they did not provide their emperor and their country the sacrifice many others took. Japanese believed that showing how they are suffering in public is shameful for their country. Mr. Tanimoto wrote that after the bombing there were many people who died in the night without making a noise, and this was done “All for the country,” this is a way of showing that whatever happens to them that they will not show defeat, even in there last moments of life, and it would be viewed as shameful if they caved