Post by Ariella Crisano on Nov 12, 2015 4:13:46 GMT
I really enjoyed this story. When we learn about WWII and the atomic bombings, we don't see the side of the story that Gen gives. In America we are taught, well Japan surprise attacks us and was relentless, so we had to do it. They glorify it in our history books just as Japan glorified the war and dying for the emperor in this story. I think a lot of people get caught up in the Japan is right or America and England are right arguments. But what people always forget, is how the wars take a toll on the citizens of the country, particularly the poor. People are told to give everything to the army because the war is necessary, and they blindly follow, even if it means starving themselves and their kids. And when people speak out about it, like Gens dad, they are ostracized.
This story gives a very vivid description with the images, of how people were affected not only by the atomic bomb, but also the lack of food and resources because of the war. Many people were already suffering and dying of malnutrition. It's something people don't really think about. Also, the propaganda was so strong, women were willing to kill themselves and children in the name of the emperor so as to push Japan to win the war. Or stepping on the faces of the enemies in the street was considered to help win the war. Parents were even happy and willing to lose their sons "honorably" to the war. I think it's incredible to see these things you never think about such as people giving up the pots and pans for weapons, or jobs for training. Kids were even going to school just to go and die for the war or strap bombs to themselves to kill the enemies.
What really stuck in my mind was the images of people after the bomb hit. People were literally melted and dragging their skin. Everything was total chaos and people were still very much alive, some dying slow painful deaths. When we were taught in school, it is told that the bombs incinerate everything. It was very shocking to realize that people suffered so horribly. I like this story because it gives an insight that I might never be able to get otherwise. It gives a voice to the people of Japan who suffered in silence and may have never been able to speak out. It gives all sides of the story also. It gives the one everyone knows, where obviously Japan was for the war as any country would support its war efforts. But it also gives the side of the people who opposed the war, while also giving some tidbits about the American and British timelines. It also brings to light the affects Nuclear war can have. Hopefully more people can see this and change can be made on nuclear weapons.
My question is:
If you were Gen's dad, would you be able to continue standing up for your beliefs even though it was clearly hurting your family and it meant going against your emperor and entire country?
This story gives a very vivid description with the images, of how people were affected not only by the atomic bomb, but also the lack of food and resources because of the war. Many people were already suffering and dying of malnutrition. It's something people don't really think about. Also, the propaganda was so strong, women were willing to kill themselves and children in the name of the emperor so as to push Japan to win the war. Or stepping on the faces of the enemies in the street was considered to help win the war. Parents were even happy and willing to lose their sons "honorably" to the war. I think it's incredible to see these things you never think about such as people giving up the pots and pans for weapons, or jobs for training. Kids were even going to school just to go and die for the war or strap bombs to themselves to kill the enemies.
What really stuck in my mind was the images of people after the bomb hit. People were literally melted and dragging their skin. Everything was total chaos and people were still very much alive, some dying slow painful deaths. When we were taught in school, it is told that the bombs incinerate everything. It was very shocking to realize that people suffered so horribly. I like this story because it gives an insight that I might never be able to get otherwise. It gives a voice to the people of Japan who suffered in silence and may have never been able to speak out. It gives all sides of the story also. It gives the one everyone knows, where obviously Japan was for the war as any country would support its war efforts. But it also gives the side of the people who opposed the war, while also giving some tidbits about the American and British timelines. It also brings to light the affects Nuclear war can have. Hopefully more people can see this and change can be made on nuclear weapons.
My question is:
If you were Gen's dad, would you be able to continue standing up for your beliefs even though it was clearly hurting your family and it meant going against your emperor and entire country?