Berger's "Hiroshima"

Summary:
John Berger's essay "Hiroshima" is written in response to a collection of artwork entitled Unforgettable Fire. The book consists of drawings, sketches, and memories that document the bombing of Hiroshima by its survivors. While the collection claims that the drawings are being left "for posterity," Berger finds something more important at work here (qtd in Berger 576). Instead he argues that it is through personal narrative (and art) that latter generations can truly comprehend the horror of this action (and others like it). He likens the images to "hell" and labels the action as one of terrorism--one that can never be justified no matter what political side one supports or what aims one hopes to accomplish.
Response:
Based on the types of readings I have assigned for this class, I don't think it should be any surprise that I believe in the power of the personal narrative. So, on this point, I completely agree with Berger. Reading the number of those who died in the Holocaust, or lost their loved ones in Pearl Harbor, or fell with the Towers on 9/11 has a power on its own. But it is too easy to become immune to numbers. A personal narrative prevents an audience from de-humanizing an issue, and hopefully focus on what is truly important.
Rhetorical Analysis:
Berger makes two rhetorical choices that are especially effective. The first is that he interweaves excerpts of personal narratives into his own essay. While these narratives support his point, he does not refer to them or explicate them in any way. Instead he lets them speak for themselves. Since his point is that the personal narrative brings history into "living consciousness," this move highlights his thesis (575). Second, he uses language that polarizes his readers. By using terms like "hell" and "terrorism" he is not allowing his readers to take a middle path. While this may turn some readers away, this type of rhetoric again supports his point. He closes his essay by saying that only when someone looks away can acts like these be justified (581). This type of language prevents an audience from "looking away."