In Joy Kagawa's "Obasan" there are a variety of characters, each with their own drives, morals, and personalities. However, In Naomi Nakane's life two characters in particular are very important and integral pieces to forming this novel. These two characters are Obasan, or Ayako Nakane - Naomi's aunt by marriage, and Aunt Emily Kato - Naomi's maternal aunt. With their importance to the novel being noted, further analyzation of these two members reveals much about their personalities, and in turn, why they chose the paths in the novel that they did. Much can be revealed from comparing and contrasting Joy Kagawa's characters Obasan and Aunt Emily, and in this analysis although there are many similarities in morals and characteristics, the differences …show more content…
far outweigh the similarities. From the very beginnings of this novel, Obasan is shown to be very quiet and reserved. She speaks only when necessary or prompted and even then, her words are short and cryptic. For example, When Obasan enters her attic in search of Aunt Emily's package the only hint she gives is repeating the word, "lost" (Kagawa, 22). This uncommunicative attitude is due to Obasan's experiences throughout the course of the novel. From the constant picking up and moving around Canada during war times, the hardships they have been sentenced to, and the need to keep quiet about the events of war and the family's condition to preserve some sort of innocence in the minds of her niece and nephew. These experiences caused her outer shell to toughen, and she becomes exceedingly withdrawn throughout the course of the novel. The death of Uncle Sam - her husband - at the beginning of the novel puts the final nail in the coffin. Kagawa writes, "The language of her grief is silence. She has learned it well, its idioms, its nuances. Over the years, silence within her small body has grown large and powerful." (14). Obasan is mourning her past and present, and her silence is a way of coping. Aunt Emily is the complete opposite in this regard. She is loud and passionate. Aunt Emily experienced different aspects of the war and events afterwards, but she is still changed. Much like the increased quietness of Obasan, Emily's outspokenness is increased. Aunt Emily projects her emotions outwards - emotions that she uses to fuel her actions. Kagawa writes, "Injustice enrages Aunt Emily. Any injustice. Whether she's dealing with the Japanese-Canadian issue or women's rights or poverty, she's one of the world's white blood cells, rushing from trouble spot to trouble spot with her medication pouring into wounds seen and not seen. For her, the injustice done to us in the past was still a live issue. (31)." Aunt Emily refuses to keep quiet, she no longer mourns the past. She uses her voice to bring forth the issues of the Japanese-Canadian's unfortunate past in order to mend any aspect that she can. These differences in terms of silence are mainly attributed to the morals and personality of Obasan and Aunt Emily, but there is also another aspect, differences in experience. Along with all Japanese-Canadians, Obasan and her family are abruptly separated and thrown from their original home in Vancouver and are forced to move from province to province. She witnesses the horrendous sights of war, discrimination and death, and she is forced to take on the role of caretaker for Naomi and Stephen when their parents are lost. These experiences cause a creation of painful memories for Obasan to reflect on, leaving her to keep these memories locked away, and rightfully so. Not many would eagerly return to memories filled with such pain. Aunt Emily witnessed plenty of the same things that Obasan has during the war and experienced the same horrible discrimination, but Aunt Emily wasn't pulled down with Obasan and Uncle to survive in the one-room farm hut in Alberta with Naomi and Stephen, or with Father whose health declines until he dies, or taken to Japan with Mother. Aunt Emily fails to fully understand how painful it is for other people to remember their wartime experiences. Aunt Emily's forwardness is valuable however as her efforts have made a dent in society, unlike Obasan, who was only focused on her family.
Considering that Obasan was Japanese born, she is more inclined to the traditions of Japanese culture, and family is something to be cared for above all else. As families are ripped apart, Obasan steps in and takes on the task of caring for Naomi and Stephen as they are quickly orphaned. She dedicates her whole being to feeding and clothing these children even in the most difficult situations. She is completely committed to their care, even when they neglect her as seen by Stephen when he regards her with impatience and a rude attitude. For example, moodily telling Obasan to, "talk properly" (Kagawa, 72). According to Naomi, Obasan represents the Japanese ideal of not to be "wagamama - selfish and inconsiderate" (Kagawa, 110). She always considers the needs of others and is giving even if she has nothing - especially for Naomi and Stephen. She automatically moves to make the people around her content and comfortable. Emily also values her family, but she holds the importance of defending her people - the Japanese Canadians - over everything else. After the final entry in Aunt Emily's journal, Naomi states, "The following day, May 22, 1942, Stephen Aya Obasan, and I are on a train for Slocan. It is twelve years before we see Aunt Emily again." (Kagawa, 95). That's it, they do not see Aunt Emily for another twelve years. Given the time, it may have been difficult to make the journey to reunite with Naomi, Stephan, Obasan and others, but it would still be
possible. It is undeniable that both Obasan and Aunt Emily value their family despite their differences. For example, both Obasan and Aunt Emily keep the whereabouts and status of Naomi's mother and grandmother a secret, as they believe that Naomi and Stephen should not know what actually became of their mother and grandmother. Naomi expresses, ""Please tell me about Mother," I would say as a child to Obasan. I was consumed by the question. Devoured alive. But Obasan gave me no answers. I did not have, I have never had, the key to the vault of her thoughts". (Kagawa, 24). Obasan and Emily both withhold this information in order to maintain an innocence in the children, and to shield Naomi and Stephen when they can, because as children they already had to endure an unimaginable amount of hurt. Aunt Emily also keeps a journal with passages addressed to Naomi's mother, her sister, in the event of her return to Canada, because Aunt Emily cares, and she wishes to not only express her feelings to her sister but if Naomi's mother were to return too, this would be something to keep her in the loop and updated on what had happened while she was occupied with the events in Japan. Obasan and Aunt Emily also care for the bigger family, all Japanese-Canadian's. Aunt Emily advocates for those who have been wronged in this time of war, and fights for the Japanese-Canadian's righ to take back the homes that have been ripped away from them. Obasan cares for her people in a slightly different way. She is giving and wants everyone to be satisfied, it is shown in the care she gives to her niece and nephew, and the care she gives to those who are essentially strangers - they are all extended family. Obasan and Emily both deeply care for their people, and their country - they just show it in different ways. Obasan and Aunt Emily are essential to Joy Kagawa's novel, and even more so in the life of character Naomi Nakane. When exploring these two characters there is an abundance of evidence that establishes Obasan and Aunt Emily to each be very powerful and family-oriented members of society. Not only are they family oriented, but they each care for their country and members of society. However, this is where their similarities end. The differences between the two are stronger, in that they are both very different in terms of experiences, which in turn form how they react to things in current time. Obasan being quiet and reserved, and Aunt Emily being outspoken and passionate. One refuses to revisit the past and the other refuses to leave it. Each woman choses a different path in this novel, due to their experiences and personalities. Much is revealed from analyzing these two characters, and in that their differences stand taller above their similarities.
As Naomi says, Emily is a “word warrior.” She reads and rereads documents, writes letters, and goes to conferences to learn and understand more about what happened to the Japanese during WWII. Naomi is reluctant to talk about the events of the war, but Aunt Emily must talk about it. Naomi says, “Injustice enrages Aunt Emily. Any injustice. Whether she’s dealing with the Japanese-Canadian issue or women’s rights or poverty, she’s one of the world’s white blood cells, rushing from trouble spot to trouble spot with her medication pouring into wounds seen and not seen” (Kogawa 41). Aunt Emily is an ambitious and hard working woman who will not stand for the mistreatment of others. She is very passionate and articulate in her speeches and seems to have a response for everything in the instances that Naomi tries to participate in a conversation. She fills her mind with so much information that she can have a stance on everything. She tells Naomi, “There is no strength in seeing all sides unless you can act where real measurable injustice exists” (Kogawa 42). With this argument, Naomi concedes, which signifies another “battle” won for Emily. When in the car, Naomi says Emily “bulldozed on” (Kogawa 42) with all of her commentary and insights. “Bulldozed” indicates a relentless power that exists within Aunt Emily’s spirit, thus making her a true
Within every story or poem, there is always an interpretation made by the reader, whether right or wrong. In doing so, one must thoughtfully analyze all aspects of the story in order to make the most accurate assessment based on the literary elements the author has used. Compared and contrasted within the two short stories, “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, and John Updike’s “A&P,” the literary elements character and theme are made evident. These two elements are prominent in each of the differing stories yet similarities are found through each by studying the elements. The girls’ innocence and naivety as characters act as passages to show something superior, oppression in society shown towards women that is not equally shown towards men.
Emily had a servant so that she did not have to leave the house, where she could remain in solitary. The front door was never opened to the house, and the servant came in through the side door. Even her servant would not talk to anyone or share information about Miss Emily. When visitors did come to Emily’s door, she became frantic and nervous as if she did not know what business was. The death of Emily’s father brought about no signs of grief, and she told the community that he was not dead. She would not accept the fact that she had been abandoned because of her overwhelming fear. Emily’s future husband deserted her shortly after her father’s death. These two tragic events propelled her fear of abandonment forward, as she hired her servant and did not leave the house again shortly after. She also worked from home so that she never had a reason to leave. Emily did not have any family in the area to console in because her father had run them off after a falling out previously. She also cut her hair short to remind her of a time when she was younger and had not been deserted. Even though people did not live for miles of Emily Grierson, citizens began
In "A Rose for Emily" and "Barn Burning," William Faulkner creates two characters worthy of comparison. Emily Grierson, a recluse from Jefferson, Mississippi, is an important figure in the town, despite spending most of her life in seclusion. On the contrary, Abner Snopes is a loud, fiery-tempered man that most people tend to avoid. If these characters are judged by reputation and outward appearance only, the conclusion would be that Emily Grierson and Abner Snopes are complete opposites. However, despite the external differences, these two characters have surprisingly similar personalities.
Both Emily and Maggie show resentment towards their sisters. The sisters who God rewarded with good looks and poise. Emily's mother points out the "poisonous feeling" between the sisters, feelings she contributed to by her inability to balance the "hurts and needs" of the two.
Throughout learning about all writing, the main achievement of any work or essay is to capture the audience and let them see any subject through the lens of what the author desires. To achieve this goal, one may use tools known as ethos, credibility of the author to the reader, logos, appeal to reasoning, and pathos, appeal to the audience 's emotions. A combination of all three of these elements creates an argument-like format which conveys a very convincing point, or thesis to the reader. Over practicing my writing my entire life I have always used these elements in my work, although, I was not aware completely of their proper usage. Throughout this year I have grown vastly as a writer through more precise control of and thesis with a linked analysis as well as consciously using the elements of pathos, logos, and ethos to most efficiently convey my thesis.
Much about Kogawa's novel makes it difficult not only to read but also to classify or categorize. First, Obasan blurs the line between nonfiction and fiction. Kogawa draws from actual letters and newspaper accounts, autobiographical details, and historical facts throughout the novel, but she artistically incorporates this material into a clearly fictional work. In addition, Kogawa's narrative operates on multiple levels, from the individual and familial to the communal, national, political, and spiritual. Stylistically, the novel moves easily between the language of documentary reportage and a richly metaphorical language, and between straightforward narrative and stream-ofconsciousness exposition. This astonishing variety in Kogawa's novel can, at times, become bewildering and unsettling to the reader. But as many readers and critics have noted, Kogawa's style and method in Obasan also constitute the novel's unique strength. Kogawa writes in such a way that ambiguity, uncertainty, irony, and paradox do not weaken her story but instead paradoxically become the keys to understanding it.
Miriam Toews’ All My Puny Sorrows, takes readers on an emotional adventure through the lives of two sisters Yolandi and Elfrieda by showing that love is one of the most powerful emotions and can make us do almost anything for the people around us. Elf, the older sister, has been made out to have a perfect life. Yoli, the younger sister, isn’t as fortunate as her sister Elf but always finds love in the little things. With her novel, Toews redefines love in all of its means. This novel has proved love can come in any type of form; sister to sister love, sister to mother love, intimate love, and love towards a religion or belief.
Miss Emily does not go out for some time after her father’s death until she meets
In the story “Two Kinds”, the author, Amy Tan, intends to make reader think of the meaning behind the story. She doesn’t speak out as an analyzer to illustrate what is the real problem between her and her mother. Instead, she uses her own point of view as a narrator to state what she has experienced and what she feels in her mind all along the story. She has not judged what is right or wrong based on her opinion. Instead of giving instruction of how to solve a family issue, the author chooses to write a narrative diary containing her true feeling toward events during her childhood, which offers reader not only a clear account, but insight on how the narrator feels frustrated due to failing her mother’s expectations which leads to a large conflict between the narrator and her mother.
Emily’s isolation is evident because after the men that cared about her deserted her, either by death or simply leaving her, she hid from society and didn’t allow anyone to get close to her. Miss Emily is afraid to confront reality. She seems to live in a sort of fantasy world where death has no meaning. Emily refuses to accept or recognize the death of her father, and the fact that the world around her is changing.
The short story “I Stand Here Ironing” (1961) by Tillie Olsen is a touching narration of a mother trying to understand and at the same time justifying her daughter’s conduct. Frye interprets the story as a “meditation of a mother reconstructing her daughter’s past in an attempt to express present behavior” (Frye 287). An unnamed person has brought attention and concern to her mother expressing, “‘She’s a youngster who needs help and whom I’m deeply interested in helping’” (Olsen 290). Emily is a nineteen-year-old complex girl who is atypical, both physically and in personality.
In the short story “A Rose for Emily” death plays a major role in developing the story. It also shows how the death of one person can change a city as a whole. However, if you compare this story to the life of the author, William Faulkner, you can see how death in his life can contribute to why he wrote the story the way he did. The death of the people is used to add to the meaning of the work altogether. William Faulkner’s experiences add meaning to his work, “A Rose for Emily,” through several deaths and Emily’s ultimate demise.
When her father passed away, it was a devastating loss for Miss Emily. The lines from the story 'She told them her father was not dead. She did that for three days,' (Charter 171) conveys the message that she tried to hold on to him, even after his death. Even though, this was a sad moment for Emily, but she was liberated from the control of her father. Instead of going on with her life, her life halted after death of her father. Miss Emily found love in a guy named Homer Barron, who came as a contractor for paving the sidewalks in town. Miss Emily was seen in buggy on Sunday afternoons with Homer Barron. The whole town thought they would get married. One could know this by the sentences in the story ?She will marry him,? ?She will persuade him yet,? (Charter 173).
Throughout the course of “The Knights Tale” the reader hears much talk about Emily, the sister-in-law of Duke Theseus, but she never says a word until the end of the story just before the great duel. Palamon, one of the main characters who is taken prisoner by Duke Theseus after the war with the Thebes, asks, “Is she a real woman or some fair queen who has slid down from heave to be kind to us perhaps?” The two cousins both saw her beauteous form from the tower they were in, and believed her to be a goddess, or the closest thing a human can come to that title. Although Emily is a very minor character, she brings many themes to the story, such as love, hope, and a woman’s rights.