1862 Versus 1945 – War Is War

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1862 versus 1945 – War is War

In reading both Whitman's "Civil War Diary" and Hachiya's "Hiroshima Diary" the suffering of humanity and the aftermath of war remain the same: the people suffer, the lands are destroyed and life is never the same.

Through daily entries in "Civil War Diary," Whitman virtually pens his thoughts as they occur, writing his vivid and heart wrenching observations. In "Hiroshima Diary," Hachiya's memories are similar to those of Whitman in the manner that they have affected his life and that of his fellow country-men. Despite over 80 years between the time of these writings, and the vast cultural differences between the two authors and their countries, the shock, the fear, and the sadness depicted were a direct parallel.

In "Hiroshima Diary" by Michihiko Hachiya, the author describes the wartime use of a "500 ton bomb" and later, upon learning that it was no such thing, refers to the atomic bomb as the "new weapon" used to destroy the city of Hiroshima. The Doctor's memoirs begin two days after the atom bomb was dropped – this because of his having been injured as a result of the event.

At the actual time of the dropping of the A-bomb, Doctor Hachiya was at home resting after a rough night at the nearby hospital where he held the position of Director and Attending Physician. The affects of the bomb sent the Doctor to his knees; then, upon looking out the window, he was taken aback by a strong light that quickly turned into an eerie, dark haze. This aftermath, as seen in his garden quickly spread to the interior of his home which was also severely damaged by the quaking of the earth. Within moments the doctor became a victim of this tragic event, quite the opposite of his normal role as a healer. He goes from the calming medical doctor to a patient bleeding and in panic over what might have happened to his beloved wife. Within moments of his fearful calling out, Doctor Hachiya locates his wife whose only ability is to gesture to him. Together they seek a way out of the shaking house before it collapses. Once into the street Doctor Hachiya becomes overwhelmed by weakness and is unable to continue on; he tells his wife to go on and try to get help.

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