“Hiroshima Child” is a poignant and evocative poem written by American poet and author Nazim Hikmet Ran. The poem captures the heart-wrenching aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II through the eyes of a survivor, a child who witnessed the devastation. Read More Inter 2nd Year English Summaries.
Hiroshima Child Summary
About Author
Nazim Hikmet Ran (15 January 1902 – 3 June 1963) commonly known as Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish-Polish poet, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, director and memoirist. He was acclaimed for the “lyrical flow of his statements”. Described as a “romantic communist” and “romantic revolutionary”, he was repeatedly arrested for his political beliefs and spent much of his adult life in prison or in exile. His poetry has been translated into more than fifty languages.
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The heart touching poem, ‘Hiroshima Child’ is written by Nazim Hikmet. He is Turkish poet, playwright and novelist. His present poem is about a seven-year-old girl who died in the Hiroshima bomb attack during the world war II. It deals with the adverse effects of war loss of life, innocence and destruction. It is a call for peace.
This is a short poem of only five stanzas. The little girl, who is no longer alive, is the speaker in the poem. The poet describes the experiences of the little girl during the war. He wants to remind us of the innocent lives that were killed in the bombing of Hiroshima in the world War II. Therefore, he uses a character to drive home theme. The poem begins with the little girl knocking on every door. The soul of the girl knocks on every door to warn them about the evils of war. She requests them not fight as she was victim of it.
She begs them to fight for peace. But, No one hears or sees as she is invisible. It is because she died at seven in the bomb blast since then the child has felt neither growth nor hunger, nor any wants. She continues to be in the same state. The poet respects the lines “For I am dead for I am dead” throughout the poem to remind us that we have killed this innocent child with our unnecessary violence.
In the third stanza, the poet depicts the child’s hair, eyes and bones to drive into our heads that we hard stained a poor child who was just like us. Here, the child visits every home and seeks, neither food nor things. The poet respects that the wild no longer needs any material things because she is dead. The vehement plea is for peace.
In the final stanza, the girl begs people to fight for peace and to let children grow, play and laugh happily. The poet has delivered a very single but serious message in a clear and short manner. Therefore, we must fight for peace and nothing else, or else innocent people and children will die for our wicked actions or unnecessary injustices. The war against war touches our hearts.
Conclusion:
“Hiroshima Child” story is one of hope and survival. Despite the suffering he endured, he never lost his sense of wonder and curiosity. He found solace in nature and in the kindness of strangers. He also found strength in his love for his family and friends.