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Grave Of The Fireflies: A Fleeting Life

Decent Essays

Grave of the Fireflies: A Fleeting Life September 21st 1945, was the night Seita died amongst other children within a train station. The scene opens with Seita’s spirit overlooking his physical body where Seita is gasping for air. People pass by casually as if nothing is amiss, some even state Seita as a nuisance or a disgrace. The sheer numbness associated to the value of life the people of Japan hold is directly correlated to the devastation and havoc caused by World War II. Setsuko, Seita’s younger sister, was also a casualty of war. Despite Seita’s best efforts, she died of malnutrition. These are just a few of the images meant to represent a fleeting life. This concept is most deliberately symbolized through the fireflies periodically shown throughout the film. Upon maturing, they only live for a day. Still within the first three minutes of Grave of the Fireflies, Seita’s dead body rests amongst several other …show more content…

Although Seita attempted his best, Setsuko did not survive once the children sought out on their own. The cause of death is malnutrition, and Seita soon follows after, “one of many children who were lost during the war.” The theme of how life is short is evident upon the death of our beloved and young protagonists. Roger Ebert says that Grave of the Fireflies is “the most realistic animated film I’ve ever seen – in feeling.” The tragic tale of these children during wartime is beautifully horrific. With long pauses between shots, Grave of the Fireflies allows for the audience to be captivated by the sense of “traditional double-suicide plays”. Critic Dennis H. Fukushima Jr. explains that, “It is not that Seita and Setsuko commit suicide overtly, but that life wears away their will to live.” With only 1.5 hours to experience this captivating tale, the swift desolation of Japan is captured perfectly and the underlying theme of a fleeting life is prolific throughout the

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