Question

"It's like bubbling molasses down there ... the mushroom is spreading out ... fires are springing up everywhere ... it's like a peep into hell."

What does this quotation reveal about the bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima?
-the devastation not just to the target of the atomic bomb, but also to its surrounding area
-the massive scale of explosion at Hiroshima
-the immediate surrender of the Japanese, bringing an end to the war on the Pacific Front
-the success of the U.S. effort to leverage atomic bombs in hopes of ending the war

Answer 1

The quotation describes the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, using vivid imagery to convey the large-scale destruction and chaos, likening it to 'a peep into hell' and emphasizing the impact beyond the immediate blast radius.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quotation 'It's like bubbling molasses down there ... the mushroom is spreading out ... fires are springing up everywhere ... it's like a peep into hell,' reflects the devastating aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The description provides a vivid illustration of the destruction wrought by the bomb, emphasizing the sheer scale and terror of the blast, its expansive radius, and the resultant fires that underscored the catastrophic impact on the city and its surroundings. The imagery of 'bubbling molasses' conveys a slow, inexorable spread of destruction, while the 'mushroom' refers to the chilling mushroom cloud synonymous with nuclear explosions. The reference to 'a peep into hell' is a stark metaphor for the infernal scenes that survivors of the bombing witnessed, alluding to the vast scale of devastation and suffering not only in Hiroshima but also in the succeeding atomic attack on Nagasaki.