A Bell For Adano Essay

World War II was a difficult time for many citizens throughout the world. During World War II many cities were affected as well. There were many travesties all over, people being killed and homes being destroyed. World War II was a struggling time for everyone. A bell for Adano, by John Hersey shows how this is true.

          Set in Adano Italy, 1943, toward the closing of World War II, a man named Major Victor Joppolo is positioned to impact the people in a positive way. When major Joppolo arrives he is part of the Allied Military Government for Occupied Territories (AMGOT) team to restore peace and order back to a town in travesty, in this case, Adano. He gathered all the people and asked what they thought should be fixed first, many people said the lack of food, but the majority of

the population said the first and most important thing is to return their bell. Zito, major Joppolo’s usher told him that during World War II a group of fascists took their bell. As the temporary administrator of Adano he took it upon himself to do everything he can to get the bell back. He told the town that even if it isn’t the same exact bell he would still get them one for the town. Once he managed to find the group who took it, they didn’t have it anymore. This meant that Joppolo had to find a new bell, and fast. When he was able to get a new bell he was ecstatic. He has grown attached to this town and the people. Giuseppe, Joppolos interpreter, found a letter from Joppolos boss saying he is to return home immediately. Major Joppolo and Giuseppe are the only ones who know. He decided not to say anything to anyone until after the party that was being thrown that night in honor of Joppolo getting the bell back. That night is the night the bell is supposed to ring again for the first time. At the end of the novel everyone is very thankful to major Joppolo for everything he did for Adano.
          Although Major Joppolo did everything he could to help get Adano back on its feet in 1943 at the end of World War II, many places were still in a lot of trouble. “When the nations of Western Europe became embroiled in World War II, Japan began to expand into the Southeast Asian colonies of the European powers” (the generals general). Japan planned an attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and other pacific and Asian targets. In 1940 Nazi Germany’s march into Western Europe opened up opportunities for Japan to consolidate its position in china and to penetrate Southeast Asia (World War II). “Japanese Prime Minister Prince Konoe Fumimaro hoped that the United States would accept Japan’s actions but in September 1940, President Roosevelt imposed an embargo on U.S exports of scrap iron and steel to Japan” (World War II).In July 1941 he froze all Japanese assets in the United States. This action ended U.S-Japanese trade, depriving Japan of vital oil imports. Shortly before the American invasion force embarked for Normandy on June 6, 1944, Gen. Omar Bradly, assigned to command 12th Army Group, convened his corps and division commanders at Bristol for a final review. Omar Bradley entered World War II as George S. Patton Jr’s, junior, but by the critical phase of the European campaign had emerged as Patton’s commanding officer. Throughout the war and in the long popular memory of that war, he was unable to emerge from the other man’s shadow (the generals general). “It is fundamental, to put yourself always in the position of the enemy.” Major Bradley said (the general’s general).
          Thematically justice will prevail as Major Joppolo is doing everything he can to help get Adano’s bell back. Even though it was hard, Joppolo found the group of fascist who stole the bell in the first place. Once he contacted them, they told them they no longer have the bell. This meant that Joppolo had to find a brand new bell or get a new one made for the town. Once the new bell was delivered and installed he decided to have a party. At the party, he decided to have the bell ring for the first time. Everyone in Adano was grateful for everything Joppolo had done for them. This shows how justice will prevail by Joppolo doing everything he can to get the bell back for the town.
         In A Bell for Adano by John Hersey, in 1943, nearing the end of World War II, Major Victor Joppolo is shown as a man who only cares about his job and what he needs to get done.

He is often referred to as “Mister Major” by his interpreter, Giuseppe. He that justice would prevail by doing everything he could to get Adano’s bell back from the fascists. He would even get them a new one if he had to. In the beginning he seemed like he would do anything to get his job done and get out of there. His job was to make the people of Adano safe and happy. As the story progressed it is noticeable he started to care for all of the people of Adano. He admires them for fighting so hard for something they really love. Joppolo is the protagonist in the novel. He ended up only caring about restoring the happiness of the people of Adano. “All I care about is them, and making them happy” Joppolo once said (Hersey 23). He tells this to his co-worker Sergeant Borth when he tries to convince him to work on the food issue as his main priority. Joppolo reviled the importance that justice will prevail at the end of World War II. It is shown by how hard he tries to get a

bell.
          Sergeant Borth showed the importance that justice will prevail through the use of characterization. Sergeant Borth is a sergeant in the military. He believes that instead of trying to find a new bell, Joppolo should work on the food issue. He belied that things like getting rid of hunger, getting clean water, and building new shelter for people to live in. Joppolo knew he was right so he was working on these on the side, but his main priority was the bell. Even though he disagrees with Joppolo, he admires him for wanting to make the people happy. He admires all his changes and keeps him and everything he does when he leaves for Hungary. Borth arrived with Joppolo, but Borth was stationed to help in Hungary. at the end of the novel, when they are reunited, Borth says “You’re too sentimental.” (Hersey 104). This shows that Borth helped to show how justice will prevail. He did this by helping Joppolo.
             Through the use of characterization of Giuseppe, the importance that justice will prevail is revealed by how he helps Joppolo with everything. Since Adano was in Italy, and Joppolo did not speak Italian, he needed an interpreter. He decided on Giuseppe. Throughout his time there, Joppolo began trust Giuseppe with his life. His life, and the bell. He instructed Giuseppe to find the fascists that stole the bell and to tell him how he can contact them. When he found the letter from Joppolos boss he didn’t say anything because he felt it was Joppolos job to bring it up. He knew his job, and he knew his place. He seemed to know what would be overstepping and what wouldn’t. “I open ‘em up boss?” (Hersey 87). This is what Giuseppe said when the crate arrived with the bell in it. As characterized Giuseppe helped Joppolo with everything. Including the bell. He helped track down the people who took it as well as find a man named General Wilson who was going to make a new a bell for the town. He got the number for Joppolo and everything. That is how Giuseppe is characterized as helping Joppolo to find the bell and reveal that justice will prevail.
                World War II was a difficult time for many citizens throughout the world. During World War II many cities were affected as well. There were many travesties all over, people being killed and homes being destroyed. A bell for Adano by John Hersey shows how this is true. Joppolo had help from many of his friends and had many obstacles throughout his time in Adano. Even though he ran into all these things, he still was about to show that justice will prevail, as well as the bell for Adano back, in 1943.