How are the effect of war shown in "Tokyo" by Fumiko Hayashi?

Answer 1

In "Tokyo" by Fumiko Hayashi, the effects of war are shown through several themes and characters.

1. Physical Devastation: The physical destruction of the city during the war is one of the most prominent features of Hayashi's work. The protagonist, Hiroko, witnesses the bombing of Tokyo firsthand, and the description of the devastation is vivid and harrowing. The streets are filled with rubble and bodies, and the survivors are left to scavenge for food, water, and shelter.

2. Psychological Trauma: The impact of the war on people's mental health is also emphasized in the novel. Hiroko suffers from PTSD, and her memories of the war haunt her even after it's over. She struggles to come to terms with the loss of loved ones and the destruction of her city. The book also portrays the psychological trauma of soldiers who were drafted into the war and were forced to kill and witness horrible things.

3. Loss of Human Connection: The war also caused people to lose touch with each other. Hiroko loses her husband to the war, and many other characters are separated from their loved ones. The bonds that once held the community together are frayed, and people are forced to fend for themselves.

4. Struggle for Survival: The war forces people to confront their own mortality and fight for their survival. Food and water are scarce, and people are forced to make tough decisions to ensure their own survival. The book portrays the human will to survive even under the most difficult circumstances.

Overall, the effect of war is shown in "Tokyo" through the physical and psychological devastation it causes, the loss of human connection, and the struggle for survival.