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�� One of the most interesting examples of Japan seeking to internalize and adapt to the change in worldview following World War II is found in the film MacArthur's Children, directed by the great Japanese director Shinoda. �Shinoda sought not to damn the former imperial leadership of Japan, nor the Americans who put that leadership to and end. The film dealt with how a community, which was representative of a nation, learned to endure beyond World War II, and even learn from it.

The children in the film represent the various segments of Japanese society after the war.� For example, Saburo, who wants to be a gangster and rebel against society, is really an outcast in the group.� He initially sways the group of boys to join his gang of "island protectors", but later we see that these are not the true inclinations of the children.� They prefer to follow Ryuta, the class leader.� Eventually, Saburo (along with his brother and his brother's girlfriend) are the only ones representing this "rebel group". This represents the fact the most Japanese after WWII wanted to get on with reconstruction and renewal, not seek revenge on the United States.�

Masao Nakai, the cripple, wants to grow flowers as a career after the war.� The flowers represent the growth and future of Japan and the determination of the Japanese to rebuild.� Also, when Admiral Hatano's ship was destroyed in a nuclear bomb test, we saw Mume's expression on the screen.� She was stoic, representing the solemn and silent way in which Japan endured her fate after the war.� She was not angry visibly; she did not act out her pain.

The biggest symbol of Japan's desire to heal the wounds of the war was the baseball league and the baseball game.� The entire community had to come together to make the bats, balls, gloves, and uniforms.� This showed teamwork and the unity of the Japanese people after the war.� However, the Japanese did retain their sense of tradition and a strong tie to the past after the war.� This was symbolized by the use of the ancient drums at the baseball game, which were used to cheer the children's team on.� At the end of the game, a dog steals the ball and led both teams to chase it.� This left no clear winner of the ball game, the Japanese or the Americans.� This represents how both sides strode together into an unknown future.

Overall, the major theme of MacArthur's Children was how Japan faced the challenge of rebuild a nation in the ashes of war.� It was about facing the trials of modernization, and dealing with the occupation of Japan by the American Army.� The passing of the era of war was symbolized by the execution of the Admiral and the destruction of the artillery battery.� Reconstruction was symbolized through the reference to flower planting industries, the conversion of the barbershop into a bar, and Mume's return to Tokyo.� Shinoda did not seek to attack the Americans who conquered Japan, nor the former leadership of Imperial Japan. I think he is proud of his nation's heritage and wanted to illustrate that heritage's staying power in his film, MacArthur's Children.