Compare and contrast essay on Hiroshima Notes vs. The Rite

Compare and contrast essay on Hiroshima Notes vs. The Rite

Thesis Statement

“The Rites & Hiroshima Notes adopt different approaches to throw light on the political, social and historical aspects of the Atomic Bombing on Hiroshima.”

Introduction

The history of nuclear bombing dates back to 1945, when during World War II America destroyed the famous and well established Japanese city Hiroshima by dropping the world's heaviest atomic bomb. This deadliest attack killed thousands of people on the spot, depriving others of the shelter of their homes. This attack affected the world in some really killing aspects, and the affects of this bombing can still be seen in the famous territories of the attacked city.

This event provided a solid ground for contemporary literature by a number of writers across the globe to throw light on the after effects of this attack on people and landscape. Two of the most appreciable literary works contributed by Kenzaburo Oe and Hiroko Takenishi about this momentous attack are Hiroshima Notes and The Rite respectively.

Discussion

The Interrelationships between Hiroshima Notes and The Rite

Both of the writers are have a hand on experience with this disaster as they both are the natives of Japan. Due to such close relation with the Hiroshima, their literary works relate to the event in more realistic and factual manner. As both the writers share the status of being witness of this tragedy, their works highlight the happenings of the event in such a manner that touches the hearts of the readers.

Kenzaburo Oe captured the stories and experiences of the victims in Hiroshima Notes to quote the historic disaster that altered the lives of the million in a drastic way. These interviews were conducted by the author in person with the inhabitants of the Hiroshima. During his visits, he noticed that the bombing on Hiroshima did not only affect the generation of that time, but its affects could be seen in their descendents as well. Hiroko Takenishi in her story The Rites depicts the after affects of the attack in a fictional manner. Her story revolves around a character called Aki who sees the attack on her land and massive catastrophe. Through her experiences, the writer conveys the worst form of destruction the history has ever witnessed (Oe, 1985).

In his book Kenzaburo Oe focuses on the political issues which resulted in this attack. Oe feels that, if the Japanese had surrendered during the war the situation could have not been this worse. The reason that the Japanese were carrying out advance researches in the field of nuclear weapons agitated the American and the Russians. They felt endangered by the Japanese forces. These political consequences lead to atomic bombing to weaken the strengthening position of Japan. The Rite covers the issues regarding humanity, but it does not deal with any political scenario associated with the attack.

The literary works under discussion equally focus on the impacts of bombing on the Japanese ...