The short story “Obasan”

Topic Sentence Claim: Joy Kogawa uses imagery of silence to develop the theme of the lasting effects of trauma in Obasan.

Support: The imagery of silence is used throughout the story to represent the trauma that the Japanese-Canadian community experienced during World War II. For example, when Naomi visits her grandmother, Obachan, she notices that the house is “full of silence” (Kogawa 11). This silence is a reflection of Obachan’s own trauma, which she has never fully processed. The silence is also a reminder of the way that the Japanese-Canadian community was silenced by the Canadian government during the war.

The imagery of silence is particularly effective in conveying the theme of the lasting effects of trauma because it is a sensory image that can evoke a strong emotional response in the reader. The silence in Obasan is not just a lack of noise; it is a palpable presence that fills the space and weighs down on the characters. This silence creates a sense of unease and foreboding, which mirrors the emotional state of the characters who are struggling to cope with the trauma of their past.

Conclusion: The imagery of silence is a powerful tool that Kogawa uses to convey the theme of the lasting effects of trauma in Obasan. The silence is a reminder of the pain and suffering that the Japanese-Canadian community experienced during World War II, and it also represents the emotional burden that these survivors continue to carry. The silence is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and talking about trauma, so that it does not continue to haunt us in the present.

Quotations:

• “The house was full of silence. I could hear the sound of my own breathing” (Kogawa 11).
• “The silence was like a heavy blanket that pressed down on me” (Kogawa 12).
• “The silence was like a wall that I could not climb over” (Kogawa 13).

Analysis:

The imagery of silence is used in these quotations to create a sense of unease and foreboding. The silence is described as a “heavy blanket,” a “wall,” and a “burden.” These images are all associated with something that is oppressive and difficult to overcome. The silence in Obasan is not just a lack of noise; it is a tangible presence that weighs down on the characters and makes it difficult for them to move forward.

The imagery of silence is also effective because it is a sensory image that can evoke a strong emotional response in the reader. The silence in Obasan is not just something that is seen or heard; it is something that is felt. The reader can feel the weight of the silence on the characters, and they can also feel the emotional burden that the characters are carrying. This makes the imagery of silence a powerful tool that Kogawa uses to convey the theme of the lasting effects of trauma.