Obasan Group at eNotes

I would suggest that Naomi being poised between both aunts is a powerful...

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 06:09:03 PST

I would suggest that Naomi being poised between both aunts is a powerful conception as to how one deals with hurt and betrayal. Aunt Emily is vocal, the word warrior, and is angry, determined to right a former wrong. Her activist stance is one way to articulate rage and freedom. Naomi's other aunt, Obasan, suffers in silence, with only her pain to keep her company. In her mind, the only way one can overcome pain is to understand and...

obasan essay, can you give me a thesis statement and outline

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:11:18 PST

Aunt Emily is depicted as an angry, highly verbal woman who is always communicating—gathering information, writing letters, attending conferences, amassing evidence. But does her anger serve her or impede her progress? Explain how Naomi feels about this, and contrast Aunt Emily’s behavior with that of the other family members introduced thus far. What does it say about Emily—and about the other characters—that she is so angry and...

The writing prompt you have been given seems to fall into a natural...

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:00:34 PST

The writing prompt you have been given seems to fall into a natural three-point outline: I. The Canadian society's conflicting views of Japanese-born citizens II. The effects of society's views both Stephen and Naomi III. How the family dealt with their situation In regard to your thesis, think backwards. What would this outline explain and support? It suggests that Stephen and Naomi were placed in a difficult situation not of their making,...

I have a essay question can you help me with a thesis statement and an...

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:31:55 PST

I have a essay question can you help me with a thesis statement and an outline?

The social groups portrayed in this novel are on sliding scales from...

Tue, 26 May 2009 18:02:39 PST

The social groups portrayed in this novel are on sliding scales from ethno-centric to accepting. On one side is Grandma Kato and Old Man Gower; on the other side, Naomi and Bill. Racism and fear are what slide along this scale. Old Man Gower's group is the old-fashioned and long-established Canadian citizenry. He represents the arrogance of a social group who believes that they are in control of a land and society because they have been...

Can you tell me about the silence of different people in...

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:22:33 PST

Can you tell me about the silence of different people in "Obasan"?

Quotes on the theme of silence are: "The language of her grief...

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:45:33 PST

Quotes on the theme of silence are: "The language of her grief is silence...Over the years, silence within her small body has grown large and powerful" (P. 17, middle of Ch. 3).In Japanese culture, grief is expected to be borne without complaint. This is one of the reasons why the Japanese in Canada were so compliant with the order for their relocation. Obasan exemplifies this tradition, drawing dignity and power from quiet...

What are some quotations that support the theme of silence in Obasan?

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:55:35 PST

What are some quotations that support the theme of silence in Obasan?

In Obasan by Joy Kogawa, what was Naomi like at the beginning of the...

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:42:45 PST

In Obasan by Joy Kogawa, what was Naomi like at the beginning of the story and how did she change throughout the story?

Identify the key social groups portrayed in "Obasan."

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:43:13 PST

Identify the key social groups portrayed in "Obasan."

In Japanse, "Obasan" is a respectful name for...

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:07:47 PST

In Japanse, "Obasan" is a respectful name for "aunt". The title refers to the main character Naomi's aunt, Ayako Nakano, who is the spiritual center of the book. Obasan, who embodies the Japanese traditions of silent suffering and endurance, becomes a mother figure to Naomi in the absence of her own mother. Although her silence keeps her at a distance, she holds the key to many of the secrets of Naomi's childhood,...

Why is the title of the book "Obasan"?

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:57:41 PST

Why is the title of the book "Obasan"?

Motherhood is a very important theme of Obasan, which can be seen...

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 15:16:50 PST

Motherhood is a very important theme of Obasan, which can be seen throughout the book. Perhaps the most obvious and important example of this is in the character of Mother, who is the symbol of motherhood and mother-culture. She survived the horrible events of Nagasaki only to continue, even expand, her mothering nature. The author is saying that motherhood is a powerful force in the world that helps to define all people.

What is the importance of the issue of motherhood in Kogawa's "Obasan"?

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 13:14:36 PST

What is the importance of the issue of motherhood in Kogawa's "Obasan"?