Symbolism in Obasan
Symbolism in Obasan
Throughout the novel Obasan, Joy Kogawa uses symbolism to communicate short but important messages to readers conveying the various themes of the novel. One main idea expressed through images and symbols includes the deterioration of conditions for the Japanese Canadians as they are stripped of their human qualities and ostracized because of their different appearances. Another major theme accommodates family structure, the significance of family in the novel and shows the differing personalities of each member, which assists the reader in creating a better understanding of Naomi’s character. Furthermore, Kogawa connects biblical concepts to the novel to assure faithful Christians of rewards that come after the suffering, hardship, and persecution that was faced. Joy Kogawa uses symbolism and imagery to illustrate a deeper, more profound meaning to the hardships set upon the Japanese Canadians, Naomi’s authentic family, their roles and values, as well as present biblical connections which assist in developing the storyline of Obasan. Joy Kogawa uses symbolism to allegorize the dehumanization set upon the Japanese Canadians and to place the readers into their shoes. She uses symbols to portray the overall theme of the novel, racism/discrimination, and to show the dominance and power the Canadian government had attained over the Japanese. For example, Naomi places a dozen chicks, one by one, into a cage where a hen is kept. The hen immediately begins to brutally attack the chicks to death. “It consistently starts jabbing its beak down on them, deliberate as the needle on the sewing machine” (Kogawa 62-63). Naomi placing the yellow chicks into the cage represents the Japanese as they immigrate to Canada seeking for shelter and peace from the war. The baby chicks represent the innocence of the Japanese minority in Canada as they faced humiliation and segregation. They were yellow and delicate; likewise the color representing the
Throughout the novel Obasan, Joy Kogawa uses symbolism to communicate short but important messages to readers conveying the various themes of the novel. One main idea expressed through images and symbols includes the deterioration of conditions for the Japanese Canadians as they are stripped of their human qualities and ostracized because of their different appearances. Another major theme accommodates family structure, the significance of family in the novel and shows the differing personalities of each member, which assists the reader in creating a better understanding of Naomi’s character. Furthermore, Kogawa connects biblical concepts to the novel to assure faithful Christians of rewards that come after the suffering, hardship, and persecution that was faced. Joy Kogawa uses symbolism and imagery to illustrate a deeper, more profound meaning to the hardships set upon the Japanese Canadians, Naomi’s authentic family, their roles and values, as well as present biblical connections which assist in developing the storyline of Obasan. Joy Kogawa uses symbolism to allegorize the dehumanization set upon the Japanese Canadians and to place the readers into their shoes. She uses symbols to portray the overall theme of the novel, racism/discrimination, and to show the dominance and power the Canadian government had attained over the Japanese. For example, Naomi places a dozen chicks, one by one, into a cage where a hen is kept. The hen immediately begins to brutally attack the chicks to death. “It consistently starts jabbing its beak down on them, deliberate as the needle on the sewing machine” (Kogawa 62-63). Naomi placing the yellow chicks into the cage represents the Japanese as they immigrate to Canada seeking for shelter and peace from the war. The baby chicks represent the innocence of the Japanese minority in Canada as they faced humiliation and segregation. They were yellow and delicate; likewise the color representing the
Cited: Finlay, J.L. and Sprague, D.N. The Structure of Canadian History. 1979. Scarborough, Ont: Prentice-Hall., 1984. Print Freud, Sigmund. "Totem and Taboo." In The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud. 13. Ed. James Strachey. 1955. London: Hogarth Institute of Psycho-analysis., 1986. Print Gottlieb, Erika. "The Riddle of Concentric Worlds in Obasan." Canadian Literature 109 (Summer 1986): 34-53. Print Kogawa, Joy. Obasan. Toronto, Ontario: Penguin Group., 1983. Print