Hersey’s approach is story-telling usually reserved for fiction adapted to non-fiction reporting. This approach is attributed to the New Journalism movement that utilizes literary practices considered Purchase the answer to view it
groundbreaking at the time. The New Journalism movement emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, as a response to the traditional objective and detached style of journalism prevalent up to that point. Journalists like Tom Wolfe, Truman Capote, and Norman Mailer pioneered this style by incorporating literary techniques such as dialogue, descriptive language, and narrative structure into their reporting. By adopting these techniques, they sought to create a more engaging and immersive experience for readers.
Hersey’s application of storytelling in journalism can be seen in his seminal work “Hiroshima,” which was published in The New Yorker in 1946. In this article, Hersey tells the story of six survivors of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan. He carefully reconstructs the events leading up to the bombing, the immediate aftermath, and the long-term effects on the survivors. Hersey achieves this by conducting extensive interviews with each survivor and then presenting their accounts in a narrative format.
One of the key aspects of Hersey’s storytelling technique is his emphasis on individual experiences and personal narratives. Rather than providing a broad overview of the events, he focuses on the intimate details and emotions of each survivor. For example, he describes the anguish and trauma felt by one survivor as she searched for her children amidst the chaos and destruction. By showing the human side of the story, Hersey creates a powerful emotional connection with the reader.
Another important element of Hersey’s narrative style is his use of vivid and descriptive language. He paints a vivid picture of the scenes and environments in Hiroshima, making the reader feel like they are there. For instance, he vividly describes the physical destruction caused by the atomic bomb and the resulting suffering of the survivors. His descriptions of the burned bodies, the haunting silence, and the smell of death create a visceral and sensory experience for the reader.
In addition to his storytelling and descriptive techniques, Hersey also employs a narrative structure that is characteristic of the New Journalism movement. Instead of presenting the story in a linear fashion, Hersey interweaves the narratives of the six survivors, creating a multi-perspective account of the events. This structure allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of the bomb on various individuals and communities. It also adds a level of complexity and depth to the narrative, as the reader is able to see the events from different points of view.
Hersey’s approach to non-fiction storytelling was highly influential and groundbreaking. He paved the way for future journalists and writers to experiment with narrative techniques in their reporting. The New Journalism movement, of which Hersey was a part, challenged the conventions of traditional journalism and expanded the possibilities of storytelling in non-fiction. By blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction, Hersey and his contemporaries were able to capture the complexity and humanity of real-life events in a way that was both informative and engaging.
In conclusion, Hersey’s approach to storytelling in journalism, inspired by the New Journalism movement, has had a significant impact on the field. Through his use of personal narratives, vivid language, and narrative structure, he creates a compelling and immersive reading experience. His work in “Hiroshima” and beyond has redefined the possibilities of non-fiction reporting, and continues to inspire journalists and writers to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling in their work.
