Saturday, April 9, 2016

Journal 8- Devon

One of the things that struck me was how strong the characters are and I grew a better appreciation for the survivors of Hiroshima. I also learned that even in the most awful situations life goes on. Toshiko Sasaki is one of the strongest women I've ever read about. I was amazed at her character and all that she did even though she was crippled. " She passed an examination that qualified her as a nursery school teacher" page 120. Even though she was disabled she still went on with her life. I think that she truly be someone that we all learn a lesson from. " By now . the society of helpers knew her strength , and it assigned her ,straight from the novitiate , to the post of director of a home for seventy old people near Kurosaki , on Kyushu , named the Garden of St Joseph (Pg 124).  She was so amazing that she was assigned director. I think that her story shows that anybody can make something of themselves regardless of their circumstances. 

Three hundred and thirty four bombs were dropped at about 500 feet. It created a huge bonfire.  When the fire bombs were dropped most of the people that tried to escape were unsuccessful. People could smell burning flesh in the air. People had to grab mask to prevent themselves from throwing up. Between 80,000 to 130,000 Japanese civilians died. Many of the citizens lived in wood frame buildings. It was known as a paper city.  There were many bodies. They all looked like charcoal.  They had fire bridges but they were very under trained. 


Victims of the firebomb. 

3 comments:

  1. Your response to Hiroshima is similar to mine, I felt for the survivors after reading this book when before all I knew was that one atom bomb was dropped and many people died. I now have an appreciation for them as well as respect.

    The photo is horrible to look at, and the fire bombings sound terrible, but it is important to remember the awful parts of history along with the good.

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  2. I think it is crazy to feel a sort of connection with the survivors just through the book, but it is true in a sense. After reading, you get a better understanding of what happened and you learn so much that you did not expect to learn. Hersey did a great job by allowing that connection to be possible. It is crazy to me how much I am still learning about all the bombs that were dropped outside of the atomic bombs, and your picture does a great job in showing the effects.

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  3. I totally agree with having a better appreciation for the survivors of this, I had that before but hearing their accounts first hand really put everything into perspective.

    I also never realized how bad these firebombings were, in high school you really only ever hear mostly about the bomb. It really gave me insight to how bad every part of the war was and how it affected everyone.

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