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Human Smoke as a War Symbol - Coursework Example

Summary
The paper "Human Smoke as a War Symbol" focuses on the critical discussion of the subject of human smoke, which symbolizes the beginning of World War II, and the end of civilization. Nicholson Baker’s fiction is emulated by many particularly, in his exceptional subject of human smoke…
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Human Smoke as a War Symbol
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Nicholson Baker: Human smoke Introduction In facts, Nicholson Baker’s fiction is emulated by many particularly, in his exceptional subject of human smoke. Born on January 7, 1957, Baker is an American writer of both non fiction and fiction. Still, he is a novelist who has written much about provocative topics such as planned assassination and voyeurism. In reality, Baker’s books are read by many up-to date and many emulate him for his outstanding effort in writing. Baker describes himself as a man who has pacifist learning, which can be outline on how he creates an urge to read his writings. Much of Baker’s writings evolve history, and this indicates his extraordinary thoughts of engaging the reader into discussion to what occurred in history. For instance, in his book, Human smoke: the beginnings of World War II, the end of civilization 2008, Baker (273) illustrates the emergent impact of Nazi German policy specifically to Jews and Hitlerism’s enemies. To capture attention, Human smoke is written in a simple way to grasp his audience. Amazingly, the human smoke by Baker is the bestselling book, which is recognized as the most dexterous and rich writing by Baker. With this in mind, Baker has imposed a compelling nonfiction work to provoke a discussion on the social and political landscape that resulted to World War II. In reality, human smoke delivers a deeply moving indictment of treasured myths that romanticized in 30s and 40s. In giving his evidences, Baker incorporates scrupulous research and precise sources including magazine, newspaper articles, memoirs, dairies, and radio speeches. Additionally, the book juxtaposes various incidences of brutality, suffering, decision, and mercy. One can articulate that, Baker has laid narrative in the human smoke, which unfolds tragically, gracefully, and persuasively thus, makes a profound impact on the perception of historical events. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to discuss human smoke by Nicholson Baker. According to Baker (11), human smoke symbolizes the beginning of the World War II, and the end of civilization. In his book, Baker affirm that, human smoke answer questions that have emerged in history concerning the origin and the ethics of the World War II, the subject which Baker admits to be incompetent to discuss. No wonder, he articulates that his subject is typically his way, and in capturing the granule of events his subject is on the primary sources of thirties and forties. In brief, human smoke entail War whereby Baker outline that, violence thwart, increases suffering and circulates evil. In Baker’s opinion, World War II enhanced suffering and thwart that with no doubt; destroyed resources, increase death cases, and human suffering. In his discussion, Baker states that, the consequences of war cannot be underestimated, and thus, it is vital to eradicate any aspect that can birth war. In particular, Baker outlines that, it should be the desire of every nation and government to prevent war from happening borne in mind; it destroys properties, resources, and lives. Suspense can be found on the issue of responsibility whereby, the author involves the reader into reasoning on whether the German’s government prevented war from happening. For a long time, this has been an issue discussed by historians who in their view regard that Germany should be reprimanded because they could not prevent war occurrence. Amazingly, in this discussion, Baker does not blame people rather, he suggests on what could had been done to save the situation. In this context, Churchill emerges as the most fascinating figure, bullying, insomniac, bloodthirsty, fearless, and determined. In this case, Baker points out that, in every situation, Churchill enjoyed the war, most proved by the statements he quoted in the ideal of fire. It was noted that, Churchill stated that, “The ordeal of fire has to some extent exhilarated the womanhood and manhood of Britain. Typically, Churchill wrote in 1941 that, “it is the time that Germans should suffer in their cities and homeland some torments they have let happened to people in the World”. In this context, these quotes were made after German was involved in a tragedy. With no doubt; these quotes were enough to suggest politicians’ negligence of irresponsibility on war prevention. As Baker suggests, the bombing killed and maim civilian population, and despite this Nazi leader were not blamed. At this point, despite the tragedy destroying lives, properties, and resources, it was ironical for leaders to celebrate on the tragedy incidence to the extent of outlining it as a platform for people to learn from the tragedy. In addition, Baker verified that, in 1941, a member of the Churchill cabinet wrote “Bombing cannot affect German’s morale”. Still, Churchill’s member affirmed that, “let us get into our heads and not waste bombers on the raids.” (Baker 90). In this context, Baker outline negligence of political leaders who in their selfish ambition though that the tragedy would draw lessons for many to fathom. With this in mind, Baker affirms that, this is a form of pedagogy, which appealed as the way of enlightening city dwellers to the hellishness of battlefields through killing them. In the discussion of human smoke, Baker states that the consequences of war cannot be underestimated, and thus, it should be the desire of every political leader to eradicate every action that eventually would cause war. In 1941, Baker document that, various German cities were recognized as good targets since they were congested towns that effect would be the greatest (Baker 20). This report indicated a lack of concern on the effect of war, and no wonders certain cities were identified as the target for the greatest tragedy particularly, the congested one. In the same year, Lord Trenchard who established the Royal air Force confessed that “The percentage of bombs that hit the military was not more than one percent”. In turning his consideration to Washington, Baker suggested that Roosevelt was diligently goading the Japanese bomb pearl anchorage so that the United States could be in war. In facts, Human Smoke creates a platform for readers to articulate the fact that Nazi was evil, and the German war enhanced severe impacts, which will for ever be remembered. Possibly, Human smoke infuriates those who assume that Churchill was an icon, and war is the only way to defeat and threaten people. From Baker argument, intellectual intelligence in political stand is paramount for it enables politicians to comprehend the need of addressing issues that would prevent war occurrence. In doing this, Baker is presenting the competent crew of bad and good guys to present his subjective judgment. Human smoke is clearly defined to pre-conceive notions to readers on political lessons. There are many reasons why Human smoke is emulated. First, Baker did his best to portray about War, highlighting possible ways of eradicating causes and prevention of war. Baker has done his best to devise a clear signal on what going on politically. In most cases, politicians’ fails to recognize people’s needs, which result to undermining what would enhance a peaceful environment. To Baker, his book makes a profound impact on the perception of historical events creating a platform for readers to mourn the unthinkable loss of humanity that occurred in World War II. Human smoke imposes a vivid political glimpse of horrifying advance toward global war. In his writings, he has assembled a narrative within human smoke that unfolds gracefully, persuasively, and tragically. At this point, human smokers deliver the closely textured in a deeply moving indictment of treasured myths of romanticized history of 30s and 40s. Conclusion Conclusively, this paper has discussed the subject of human smoke, which symbolizes the beginning of the World War II, and the end of civilization. In brief, human smoke outline how World War II enhanced suffering and thwart that with no doubt; destroyed resources, increase death cases, and human suffering. In his writing, Baker affirms that, politicians should be responsible in creating a friendly environment. In this case, Churchill is portrayed as the most fascinating figure, bullying, insomniac, bloodthirsty, fearless, and determined. Baker points out that, Churchill enjoyed the war, most proved by the statements he quoted in the ideal of fire. In addition, Baker outline the negligence of political leaders who in their selfish ambition though that the tragedy would draw lessons for many to fathom. With this in mind, this paper has discussed human smoke by Nicholson Baker. Work cited Baker, Nicholson. Human smoke: the beginnings of World War II, the end of civilization. London: Simon and Schuster, 2008. Print. Read More
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