Journal 8 from Kelsey Eversole

The two characters I want to take away from this story are Dr. Fuji and Mrs. Nakamura.  Firstly, Dr. Fuji was kind of aloof in the beginning of the bombing period and was not much more than a laid back Doctor.  But when Hersey was went back and found out what had happened to him after 40 years we saw what had changed.  He had a near-death experience and when he regained life he was changed for the better.  He wanted to live life to the fullest and make sure he was happy until his actual eventual death.   I think this is a great ideal to remember and to make sure you do not take life for granted.  Because every day you wake up is a “Bonus Day” meaning you should appreciate being alive.  The other character I want to remember is Mrs. Nakumura she was in a state of serve poverty after the bombings with no hope in sight.  She was doing many jobs to just be able to put food on the table.  But she finally found a job and worked hard and was eventually able to retire and enjoy life and not worry about money.  This is something that everyone should strive for, especially for the ability to be fiscally independent and be able to enjoy your golden years in comfort.

            I do not want to forget my emotional response to the initial bombing and the affect on the citizens.  I had a strong emotional reaction as I was reading about the aftermath of the bomb.  Especially in the scene where Mr. Tanimoto was helping the woman off of the sanspit and her skin peeled off.   He was so moved by this sight and had to regain his focus and repeat to himself that these are humans.  I think that people loose this thinking and they see people in need and don’t think them as humans, and this is a big shame.  We need to have more empathy for people in trouble/need. 

            “He was slowing down a bit.  His memory, like the world’s, was getting spotty” (152).  We must never forget the inhumanities of the past because we are bound to repeat them.   

“Wounded people supported maimed people; disfigured families leaned together” (25).  This shows that as humans we owe it to one another to support each other when we are hurt.  The slightly hurt were more worried about their friends or family then themselves.  This showed what compassion humans are capable of.  It was just a refreshing scene.

“…and in his guilt he turned to right and left as he hurried and said to some of them, “Excuse me for having no burden like yours” (30).  This was shocking to see and I do not want to forget this line.  Mr. Tanimoto was physically upset that he was uninjured and almost saw it as a burden.  This goes to show the level of national pride/self-worth he had along with his fellow countrymen.  He felt guilty that he wasn’t hurt and he set his last bit of energy to help this hurt. This is something I do not want to ever forget.

This book inspires the changes in our actions.  It makes one want to learn more about the past in order to not repeat the mistakes.   We are too quick to forget the past and when we do we are bound to repeat it and as time progresses our technology increases which will lead to more drastic effects of warfare or conflict.   So it is our duty to research the past to be educated persons and prevent the inhumanities of our past.