The effects of war are portrayed quite differently in two of the works - Cranes and Tokyo. In the former, war is shown to have a profound impact on the lives of ordinary people. The story presents the tragic tale of two childhood friends, one of whom is drafted into the military and dies in battle. The other friend, who is a schoolteacher, tries to keep the memory of his friend alive by folding paper cranes. The story is a poignant reminder that war is not just about soldiers fighting on the battlefield but also the innocent lives that are lost in the process. In contrast, Tokyo, a novel set during World War II, paints a picture of a nation gradually losing its grip on reality. The novel's protagonist, a young girl named Tania, navigates her way through the confusion, fear, and disillusionment that define wartime Japan. Rather than focusing on the impact of war on a few individuals, the novel offers a broader perspective on how war can impact an entire nation. It shows how war can destroy not just lives but also entire societies.
