“Hiroshima” Socratic Seminar Questions

  1. The last line of the book refers to Mr. Tanimoto saying, “His memory, like the world’s, was getting spotty.” Discuss the message Hersey is giving to the reader by ending the story this way.
  2. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the following quote:

During wartime, a country is justified in killing enemy civilians to shorten and/or end a war.

Be sure to cite evidence from the book to support your position.

  1. Hersey admits to having felt both “despair and relief” when he heard that the bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima, but we do not know how he felt after he researched and wrote the book. Based on information in “Hiroshima,” make a case for Hersey’s being for or against the decision to drop the bomb.
  2. Discuss the relevance of “Hiroshima” to our society today. (HINT: Don’t limit your conversation to just the atomic/nuclear weapon aspect…feel free to branch out.)
  3. What would be a good theme for “Hiroshima?” Be sure to support and elaborate by using text from the book.

------

“Hiroshima” Socratic Seminar Questions

  1. The last line of the book refers to Mr. Tanimoto saying, “His memory, like the world’s, was getting spotty.” Discuss the message Hersey is giving to the reader by ending the story this way.
  2. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the following quote:

During wartime, a country is justified in killing enemy civilians to shorten and/or end a war.

Be sure to cite evidence from the book to support your position.

  1. Hersey admits to having felt both “despair and relief” when he heard that the bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima, but we do not know how he felt after he researched and wrote the book. Based on information in “Hiroshima,” make a case for Hersey’s being for or against the decision to drop the bomb.
  2. Discuss the relevance of “Hiroshima” to our society today. (HINT: Don’t limit your conversation to just the atomic/nuclear weapon aspect…feel free to branch out.)
  3. What would be a good theme for “Hiroshima?” Be sure to support and elaborate by using text from the book.

------

“Hiroshima” Socratic Seminar Questions

  1. The last line of the book refers to Mr. Tanimoto saying, “His memory, like the world’s, was getting spotty.” Discuss the message Hersey is giving to the reader by ending the story this way.
  2. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the following quote:

During wartime, a country is justified in killing enemy civilians to shorten and/or end a war.

Be sure to cite evidence from the book to support your position.

  1. Hersey admits to having felt both “despair and relief” when he heard that the bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima, but we do not know how he felt after he researched and wrote the book. Based on information in “Hiroshima,” make a case for Hersey’s being for or against the decision to drop the bomb.
  2. Discuss the relevance of “Hiroshima” to our society today. (HINT: Don’t limit your conversation to just the atomic/nuclear weapon aspect…feel free to branch out.)
  3. What would be a good theme for “Hiroshima?” Be sure to support and elaborate by using text from the book.