The Struggle for Survival in a Post-Atomic Bombing City in John Hersey’s Hiroshima

Ferdinal Ferdinal; Muhammad Iqbal; Chintya  Dewi

doi:10.21512/lc.v19i1.12840

Authors

Ferdinal Ferdinal Universitas Andalas
Muhammad Iqbal Universitas Andalas
Chintya Dewi Universitas Bung Hatta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21512/lc.v19i1.12840

Keywords:

Formalist approach, Hiroshima, metropolitan environment, post-disaster environment, urban life settings

Abstract

Written in the form of literary journalism, Hershey’s Hiroshima offers a vivid portrayal of urban life in Hiroshima, providing significant insights into the structure and themes of the book. This literary analysis examines how the novel portrays metropolitan environments and their significance in conveying the concepts of urban settings. Through the application of a sociological approach to literature, the research investigates the fundamental elements of the fiction, particularly its spatial settings, such as streets and buildings, to understand how these environments reflect and shape the social context, mood, and meaning of the narrative. The research findings indicate that the novel portrays urban life through its depiction of Hiroshima’s urban landscape, where temporal and social conditions shape the novel’s central themes. Hersey’s novel Hiroshima exposes the important themes of physical destruction and the resilience of the victims of catastrophe. These main findings underscore the significant role of urban settings in literary journalism, suggesting how Hersey’s depiction of Hiroshima's streets and structures enhances the reader's understanding of the catastrophic impact of the Allies’ bombing on Japanese urban life.

Dimensions

Plum Analytics

Author Biographies

Muhammad Iqbal, Universitas Andalas

Muhammad Iqbal graduated from the English literature study program of the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Andalas. He wrote his bachelor's thesis on literature.

Chintya Dewi, Universitas Bung Hatta

Chintya Dewi completed her Master's degree in literature from the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Andalas and is teaching English and literature at Universitas Bung Hatta. Her research interst includes Studies on English fiction.

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