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Obasan By Joy Kogawa Chapter Summary

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During World War II, many Japanese-Canadians were sent to internment camps. They were imprisoned, forced to work, and left to die with little to no food and exposed to fatal diseases. The Japanese became isolated among themselves and ripped from their homes in Canada. In the novel, Obasan, Joy Kogawa tells the story of Megumi Naomi Nakane and her family, Japanese-Canadians, experiencing exile that is both alienating and enriching. These experiences illuminate one of the many themes of the novel, which home isn’t defined by a place but the fact that they are together.
When Naomi’s family was separated during their exile, they experienced alienation. The Canadian government ordered many Japanese-Canadians to be moved to different camps. Grandma and Grandpa Nakane’s diaspora was the first of many for Naomi’s family. She says, “… herded into the grounds and kept there like animals till they were shipped off to roadwork camps and concentration camps in the interior of the province. From our …show more content…
All Japanese-Canadians were ordered out because “… Slocan project has been selected as a Repatriation Camp and will house only those who have elected at the present time, or who may elect in the near future, to return to Japan.” Exiled from their exile, the Nakane family was forced to move again without Uncle and Father. Uncle receives a letter which says, “As you have expressed your desire to remain in Canada and for various reasons you are not considered suitable for Eastern Placement, you will be required to remain in New Denver” (206). Father receives a letter that says, “In accordance with the segregation programme which is now being carried out by the Government, you will be required to move to Kaslo…” (207). The family was being separated again and even worse, Uncle and Father were not even sent to the same place. From this exile both were alienated, Uncle was to stay in New Denver; Father was to go to

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