Hour: _______
Name: _______________________________________________
John Hersey: Excerpt from Hiroshima
Directions: Compose the best answer possible for each of the following questions
regarding analysis of the excerpt, “A Noiseless Flash,” from John Hersey’s novel,
Hiroshima.
1. Audience: What difference can be perceived between the real reading culture and
the intended reading culture (readers in 1946 – one year after the war had ended)?
2. Theme: Based upon Hersey’s description of the Japanese in this piece, what
message was he intending those of the real reading culture to comprehend? Explain.
3. Point of View: From what point of view is this story told? Did Hersey employ a
reliable or unreliable narrator? Why do you think so?
4. Writing Style: What observations can you make regarding Hersey’s writing style.
Provide evidence to at least two characteristics and explain.
5. Writing Style: In subjective writing, a writer openly expresses emotions and attitudes
toward events and characters. In objective writing, the writer keeps his or her feelings
at a distance, recounting only facts. How would you explain Hersey’s writing in this
piece?
6. Imagery: What words does Hersey use to “paint a picture” of the physical impact of
the bomb?
7. Imagery: Create an alternate description of your own that would convey this image.
8. Irony: What irony exists in Mr. Tanamoto’s story? Explain.
9. Irony: What irony exists in Dr. Fujii’s story? Explain.
10. Resolution: The ending of this story ends with an ironic statement regarding Miss
Sasaki. Explain this.
11. Satire: In presenting the events of Hiroshima ironically, Hersey sends a satirical
message. What topic is he satirizing and what is his critical message?
12. Theme: Stephen Crane exemplified his belief that in war machines resemble
humans and humans resemble machines; and in this way, he feels war dehumanizes
people. Compare or contrast Hersey’s message with Crane’s. Explain.
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