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Chapter 1: South Australia, 1942
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in After Darkness, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Dangers of Nationalism
Isolation and Trauma
Kindness, Compassion, and Selflessness
Racism, Xenophobia, and Division
Guilt and Atonement
Summary
Analysis
Dr. Ibaraki remembers his dream of being a doctor as a young boy. In achieving this dream, he follows the footsteps of his father (who died when Dr. Ibaraki was young) and grandfather, as both of them were in the medical profession. He remembers attempting to heal sick or injured animals as a child. He also recalls his disillusionment with medicine when he started his internship at the Tokyo hospital—despite his studies and profession, people still died. During his internship, he receives an offer to pursue research rather than practicing medicine. He accepts the offer.
A 26-year-old Dr. Ibaraki arrives at Army Medical College Compound in Shinjuku for his interview with Major Kimura. Major Kimura, an intimidating figure, tells Dr. Ibaraki that the position will require loyalty and discretion. The interview goes poorly until Major Kimura realizes that he worked with Dr. Ibaraki’s father, Ibaraki Suichiro.
The fact that Major Kimura gives Ibaraki the research job because of the accomplishments of Ibaraki’s father shows the nepotism that exists in the military/medical world in Tokyo.
Themes
