Chapter 34 Summary

Since the streetcars are not running, H sets off walking to school. Walking by the schoolyard of the primary school, H sees many charred bodies covered by straw mats since there is no time yet for their cremation. The sight of these bodies does not bother H as much as does the pain and suffering of those who have survived. The sight of the devastation around the train station and other areas is unimaginable to H, even as he views it.

As H tops the hill, he sees that the Second Middle School is virtually untouched. Entering the building, H is surrounded by an overflow of people who have very few personal belongings. People are waiting for food rations and medical treatment for their injuries.

Students whose homes were burned are not required to go to school for awhile. H does not want...