Naomi had to remember things in order to cope with and understand her past. Throughout Joy Kogawa's novel Obasan, Naomi revealed things that didn’t make sense until she began to reflect on her past. Reflecting on her past created the connections necessary to understand why things were, the way they were. Naomi described her brother Stephen as being distant from the family; she didn’t even have his number to call him when finding out about Uncle’s passing. He was “unpredictable in his moods and sudden rages”(Kogawa 17). His personality didn’t quite make sense to Naomi, but she figured he was always so moody when he was around because he couldn’t stand how silent Obasan always was. Chapter 14 revealed exactly why Stephen was so standoffish towards everyone besides Aunt Emily. From reading Aunt Emily’s
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Naomi wondered how old she would have to be to find out what it was that Uncle promised to tell her someday. When Naomi confronts Obasan about the letters written in Japanese, Obasan ignores her the first time only saying “Everyone someday dies (55). Despite being brushed off by Obasan, Naomi still wants to know what the letters say, so when Aunt Emily and Nakayama-sensei arrive Naomi brings up the letters again. This time, Nakayama-sensei decides that it is time for Naomi to know what the letter says. The letter describes the tragedy of the Nagasaki bombings. The letter also describes the injuries Naomi’s mother suffered; her face was completely disfigured and her head was bald, maggots crawling through her wounds. Aunt Emily then tells Naomi about her mother's gravesight. The novel begins with Uncle not telling Naomi of a secret, which was common throughout her lifetime. Her family constantly wanted to shield and protect her from the cold reality. At the end of the novel, Naomi finally gets to know the truth and find
Naomi wondered how old she would have to be to find out what it was that Uncle promised to tell her someday. When Naomi confronts Obasan about the letters written in Japanese, Obasan ignores her the first time only saying “Everyone someday dies (55). Despite being brushed off by Obasan, Naomi still wants to know what the letters say, so when Aunt Emily and Nakayama-sensei arrive Naomi brings up the letters again. This time, Nakayama-sensei decides that it is time for Naomi to know what the letter says. The letter describes the tragedy of the Nagasaki bombings. The letter also describes the injuries Naomi’s mother suffered; her face was completely disfigured and her head was bald, maggots crawling through her wounds. Aunt Emily then tells Naomi about her mother's gravesight. The novel begins with Uncle not telling Naomi of a secret, which was common throughout her lifetime. Her family constantly wanted to shield and protect her from the cold reality. At the end of the novel, Naomi finally gets to know the truth and find