Answer: In John Hersey's book "Hiroshima", the author dedicates a significant amount of space to quoting the words of survivors to give a firsthand account of the effects of the atomic bombing on the people of Hiroshima. By using the words of survivors, Hersey is able to provide a detailed and emotional account of the events that took place in Hiroshima, and the impact that the bombing had on the lives of the survivors.
For example, Hersey quotes a survivor named Mrs. Nakamura who describes the moment of the bombing as follows: "A tremendous flash of light cut across the sky. Mrs. Nakamura thought the end of the world had come. She heard a booming noise. Everything turned as bright as day." By including this direct quotation, Hersey is able to convey the horror and confusion experienced by Mrs. Nakamura and other survivors in a way that is both powerful and moving.
Another example of Hersey quoting the words of survivors is when he describes the experiences of Dr. Fujii, who survived the bombing but was badly burned. Hersey quotes Dr. Fujii as saying, "Everything seemed to be perfectly normal and yet it was impossible to ignore the voices, the cries, the wails." Through this quotation, Hersey is able to give the reader a vivid picture of the aftermath of the bombing, and the physical and emotional trauma experienced by the survivors.
Overall, Hersey's use of direct quotations from survivors helps to bring a human element to the story of Hiroshima, and provides a powerful account of the effects of the bombing on the people who lived through it.
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