Sense Of Negativeness In Ayn Rand's Obasan

In the first five chapters of the novel Obasan, there was only a slight sense of negativeness, and in chapter 6 to 10, it becomes clear. There is a stronger sense of negativeness when Naomi expresses her emotions for the first time such as anger, hatred, frustration, and discomfort. Naomi reveals what her family experienced in the past, and this information certainly explains the dark, and delicate atmosphere from the previous chapters. In chapter 7, Naomi finds a parcel Aunt Emily has sent to her, and inside of the parcel, there are several packages of documents. What those documents from the parcel contain are unimaginable; they are the absolute evidence of the terrible mistreatments of the Canadian Government that Naomi’s family, and the …show more content…
Naomi and Obasan believe it is better to forget; “Everything is forgetfulness.” (36), “‘Life is so short,’ I said, sighing, ‘the past so long. Shouldn’t we turn the page and move on?’” (51). Aunt Emily has a contradicting view, and believes it is essential to remember, and to fix the wrongs while we remember; “We have to deal with all this while we remember it.” (43). Sometimes, it’s overwhelming, and terrifying to remember the past, especially when it is negative. However, it is crucial not to abandon, and bury the past deep down, because as Aunt Emily says; “The past is the future.” (51). Our future is shaped according to our present, and our present has been influenced by our pasts. Whether if the past is favourable or not, and whether if you want it to be or not, it will always be part of who you were, part who you are, and part of who you will be. Therefore, denying your past, becomes denying yourself. In order to overcome the past, you must be able to bravely look back at your past, and solve the remaining harsh feelings. You should never let your past be the obstacles of building an improved