4.
A DOCTOR'S JOURNAL ENTRY FOR AUGUST 6, 1945
Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions
Section B: Context Questions
I. (i) Calm (no strong winds) - beautiful (shimmering leaves) - warm (the sun had just risen) Narrator was waking up -
getting out of bed - looking out of window – optimistic like the morning.
(ii) Two sudden flashes. Magnesium flares seen during a war (here World War II).
(iii) While he was debating about the flares, the roof and the wall of the building collapsed and the debris got
scattered all over and the dust swirled around him. Furthermore:, his drawers and undershirt disappeared - that is,
clothes got burnt. People were either dead or mutilated. They walked like zombies naked but not conscious of it.
(iv) A splinter protruded from his thigh; his right side bled, his cheek was torn. His blood gushed out from his neck.
(v) (a) The morning dawned, no strong winds, picturing nature and warm sun lights.
(b) A bright sudden flash of light fallowed by another one startled the narrator.
II. (i) There was a deep cut in his neck making blood gush out. The narrator being a doctor feared the blood was from
his jugular and he would quickly bleed to death.
(ii) She was holding her elbow - injury in the elbow - blood stained and pale – major injury to cause loss of blood and
make her look pale.
(iii) 'We'll be fine.' Optimistic, caring, comforting - indomitable human spirit
[iv) A human head. He gasped in shock. He then apologised but realised the person was dead. Then he felt afraid
(v) (1) Everything around them had collapsed - what remained was timber and debris;
(2) Both were bleeding and [3) They nearly tripped on a human head (4) A house toppled
and collapsed.
III. (i) The human being on whose head the narrator and his wife tripped and nearly fell. A gate had fallen on him and
crushed him
(i) A house was standing and like a pack of cards swayed, tilted and collapsed. The swirling dust gave rise to a fire that
was spread by the winds.
(iii) To go to the hospital for help and also to aid the hospital staff. When he could not get up he asked his wife to go
alone and seek help.
(iv) He himself was injured and bleeding profusely. His legs gave way and he was forced to sit on the ground.
(v) Could not walk - had to sit on the ground - was thirsty but no water – shortness of breath - naked but felt no
shame.
IV. (i) Badly injured - bleeding profusely - walking had tired him therefore shortness of breath.
The Japanese withstood the calamity, and with their indomitable spirit and hard work rose up (bit by bit my
strength/Seemed to revive) and gradually rebuilt their shattered city and their world.
[ii] A soldier - gave the towel he had on his neck to the narrator - symbolic of giving what he had to help the narrator
- basic human goodness - gave confidence to the narrator.
(iii) He realised he could not walk as his legs were stiff with dried blood as they were burnt sent her alone to seek
help – justified saying they had no choice.
(iv] Lonely. The powerful nations like the United States of America cause destruction and suffering to common people
to display their power and isolate their enemies. Nobody comes to rescue the vanquished.
[v) Looked like silhouettes of humans - ghosts or scare crows - walking like zombies with outstretched arms - naked
but unasked - silent.
V. (i) They looked like silhouettes against the grey background - bombing caused destruction and buildings collapsed -
dust was everywhere.
[ii] Walked like zombies with arms outstretched - hands dangling - shell shocked – silent - walking towards the
hospital.
(iii] They were burned badly - any movement was painful especially when flesh touched flesh: Narrator could not
walk, was breathless and bleeding. His wife was pale due to loss of blood.
(iv] (a) The flesh on their body was burnt badly to anything touching it would cause immerse pain - flesh touching
flesh would magnify.
(b) Walked in a straight line without touching one another or making any in the same direction.
(v) Refer to 'Narrative technique' under Style.
VI. (i) People walking towards the hospital to seek help. They were absolutely naked as if they had just had a bath.
(ii) Refer to 'Symbolism' under Critical Remarks.
(iii) Refer to 'Symbolism' under Critical Remarks.
(iv) Refer to 'Destruction Caused by the Bomb' under Themes,
iv) Refer to Critical Remarks.
