Post by Alexis Iguina on Nov 13, 2015 1:06:08 GMT
This story truly opened my eyes to the effects of the atomic bomb and more so World War II on the Japanese society. When I learned about World War II, I always learned the details of the European and American front. Furthermore, when it was time to discuss about Japan, it was always talked about briefly to the point where it almost erased the suffering caused by the bomb and the war on the Japanese people. For myself, Barefoot Gen, not only through pictures, but through dialogue, brilliantly displayed real life tragedies of war time.
One thing that struck out to me was the father's persistence on his stance against the war. Despite being targeted and abused by the police and shamed by his community, he continued to express his disdain for the war. He and his family suffered beatings and were constantly demoralized because they were viewed as traitors. Ironically, he was against the war because it was hurting Japan. He cared so much about Japan he could no longer bare what the war was doing to everyday people like himself, family and neighbors. However, other people did not see his stance against the war as caring but as treachery. Even when his son volunteer as a pilot (which means ultimate death due to kamikaze), the family could not be redeem. This shows how blind people can be when society is militarized. The military says they are involved in the war for the sake of the nation but in fact, they lie and steal from everyday people. They not only steal resources (such as food and items to be melted for weapons) but lives. People are forced to join the war effort against their will. Throughout the story, I felt frustration against this militarized way of thinking. I could only imagine how people who were for peace during that time felt.
Another thing that struck out to me was Barefoot Gen's courageousness. I particularly liked how he got the boat for Shinji. Even though he had a bad reputation with the town, he smashed windows to help a man who lost his son and livelihood during the war. He could've been caught and worsen the view everyone had against him. Moreover, he got beaten but he did this to help a poor man. As a result, the man gave Gen the ship, the only token of his son's life. Later on, Gen gave it to his brother so that his brother would never humiliate himself to play with a toy. Gen also pretended to be a beggar to get his mom food so that she didn't suffer from more malnourishment. Although his ways were a bit conniving, he had good intent. Shinji was like his sidekick. They made an awesome duo.
Lastly, I cried when Gen encountered his dying family underneath the rubble. Especially, when he gave Shinji the boat before Shinji, his sister and dad burnt to death. It represented the fact that later on they won't have the chance to sail the boat together. It was so sad to see how helpless they were. Gen, who throughout the story displayed a strong spirit, valiance and positivity, couldn't physically help. It was so disheartening when he tried to get help from he chairman after he saved the chairman and his son only to be turned down. Even though they put the Nakaoka family through hell, Gen saved them. Earlier they called Gen a traitor but at this moment they were the most spineless traitors and cowards.
Question: What is the significance of the title "Barefoot Gen"? Why wasn't it titled "Gen"?
One thing that struck out to me was the father's persistence on his stance against the war. Despite being targeted and abused by the police and shamed by his community, he continued to express his disdain for the war. He and his family suffered beatings and were constantly demoralized because they were viewed as traitors. Ironically, he was against the war because it was hurting Japan. He cared so much about Japan he could no longer bare what the war was doing to everyday people like himself, family and neighbors. However, other people did not see his stance against the war as caring but as treachery. Even when his son volunteer as a pilot (which means ultimate death due to kamikaze), the family could not be redeem. This shows how blind people can be when society is militarized. The military says they are involved in the war for the sake of the nation but in fact, they lie and steal from everyday people. They not only steal resources (such as food and items to be melted for weapons) but lives. People are forced to join the war effort against their will. Throughout the story, I felt frustration against this militarized way of thinking. I could only imagine how people who were for peace during that time felt.
Another thing that struck out to me was Barefoot Gen's courageousness. I particularly liked how he got the boat for Shinji. Even though he had a bad reputation with the town, he smashed windows to help a man who lost his son and livelihood during the war. He could've been caught and worsen the view everyone had against him. Moreover, he got beaten but he did this to help a poor man. As a result, the man gave Gen the ship, the only token of his son's life. Later on, Gen gave it to his brother so that his brother would never humiliate himself to play with a toy. Gen also pretended to be a beggar to get his mom food so that she didn't suffer from more malnourishment. Although his ways were a bit conniving, he had good intent. Shinji was like his sidekick. They made an awesome duo.
Lastly, I cried when Gen encountered his dying family underneath the rubble. Especially, when he gave Shinji the boat before Shinji, his sister and dad burnt to death. It represented the fact that later on they won't have the chance to sail the boat together. It was so sad to see how helpless they were. Gen, who throughout the story displayed a strong spirit, valiance and positivity, couldn't physically help. It was so disheartening when he tried to get help from he chairman after he saved the chairman and his son only to be turned down. Even though they put the Nakaoka family through hell, Gen saved them. Earlier they called Gen a traitor but at this moment they were the most spineless traitors and cowards.
Question: What is the significance of the title "Barefoot Gen"? Why wasn't it titled "Gen"?