The Second World War was one of the most devastating periods in different parts of the world. The book Downtown by Hayashi Fumiko majorly highlights some major post war effects of the Second World War to the people of Japan. One of the main ideas in the book is the post-war effects on the well-being of the people (Science). Some of the individuals who were significantly affected by the war were women who were subjected to various physical and psychological torture caused by the traumatic events of the post-war scenes. ‌
The main setting of the events highlighted in the book is majorly Japan. The principal aspects that the author has outlined in the book include gender, class, and race in Japan after the Second World War. The main idea portrayed in the writing is the theme of loneliness and loss to the loved ones of the individuals who took part in the war (Science). For example, a significant number of Japanese men who participated in the war as soldiers did not return home since most of them lost their lives while others were imprisoned in foreign countries.
Another important aspect covered by the author is mental health which was a major psychological problem after the Second World War. Japanese women and children were among the individuals who experienced the devastating impacts of loneliness and loss since their husbands and sons were forced to participate in the war. The theme of memory has been portrayed in the book to show how women greatly suffered mentally (Science). For example, the main character, Ryo cannot remember his husband’s looks and the sound of his voice since she has not seen or heard from her husband in six years.
Work Cited
Science, Lady. “Fear, Pain, and the Representation of Women’s Wartime Trauma.” The New Inquiry, 2018. Web.