A Doctor’s Journal Entry for August 6, 1945
A Doctor's Journal Entry for August 6, 1945, by Vikram Seth captures the profound emotional impact of moral dilemmas faced by the doctor witnessing the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Practise the following MCQs and questions & answers from the poem.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What historical event is connected to the poem?
2. Which emotion drives the doctor's reflection in the poem?
3. Which literary device is used throughout the poem?
4. What aspect of war does the poem explore through the doctor's perspective?
5. What does the word ‘debris’ signify?
6. Explain the phrase “was marred with suffering”.
7. What impact does the doctor believe that the bombing has on humanity?
8. What does the doctor wish to convey ultimately in the poem?
Reference to Context Questions
saw the shadowy forms of people, some
Were ghosts, some scarecrows, all were wordless dumb –
Arms stretched straight out, shoulder to dangling hand;
Question: What emotions do the shadowy form of people evoke?
Answer: The shadowy forms of people represent those affected during the bombing. They evoke a sense of fear, loss, and sorrow, suggesting a haunting presence and the aftermath of the trauma.
Question: Explain the phrases 'wordless dumb' and 'arms stretched straight out'.
Answer: The phrase 'wordless dumb' refers to the people who are in deep despair and trauma, unable to express their pains and emotions verbally, highlighting the overwhelming nature of their suffering. The imagery of 'arms stretched straight out' refers to people longing for help or connection but unable to achieve it.
I turned my gaze, but was at a loss
That she should stand thus, till I came across
A naked man – and now the thought arose
That some strange thing had stripped us of our clothes.
Question: What does the speaker's emotional state of being at a loss suggest?
Answer: The phrases indicate confusion and surprise, suggesting that the speaker is unsettled by the unexpected sight of the woman and the situation they are in.
Question: Explain the phrase 'That some strange thing had stripped us of our clothes'.
Answer: This phrase symbolizes that an external event has caused their loss of clothing, representing a loss of security and identity, suggesting a disoriented experience.