Obasan: Final Essay

Why is “Obasan” chosen for the title for this novel, written by Joy Kogawa, instead of “Mother” when the book focuses on the search for the truth about Naomi’s mother? Because Naomi’s mother leaves Naomi when she was young, and since then, she was raised by Obasan, who played the role of mother. The love between Naomi and her mother is feeble, as Obasan and Naomi’s relationship is more powerful because of their eons as a family and the impact Obasan had on Naomi.

      Naomi’s relationship with her mother is weak and simple. Naomi’s mother goes back to Japan, and never comes back (71). Naomi no longer feels any connections with her mother since the first time she was harassed by Old Man Gower, a pedophile (67). She cannot even bring herself to report to her own mother, because her fear is stronger than her love towards her mother. She finds her relationship with her mother breaking down even before her mother leaves Canada (69). Though at the end of the novel, Naomi’s mother is revealed as a strong woman who keeps her silence for the sake of her children, she can never be considered as a real mother, because she has never really been there for Naomi. Naomi’s love towards her mother is not vigorous.

      On the contrary, Obasan’s relationship with Naomi is much stronger than her mother’s, because Naomi has spent almost her whole life with Obasan. Obasan does everything a mother does. She cooks for Naomi, takes Naomi and Stephen to school, and even brings Naomi to public baths (176). She takes care of Naomi since the time her mother left. Even now, when Naomi is already thirty six years old, Obasan and Naomi still live together as a family. Obasan is more like a real mother, though she is only an aunt.

      Obasan is a proper model for Naomi to learn from. Naomi remembers that Obasan once told Naomi to put others’ desires before her own. “We must always honor the wishes of others before our own. We will make the way smooth by restraining emotion.” (137-138). Without trying, Obasan easily imprinted a life lesson into Naomi’s head. Also, Naomi admires Obasan as a decorous and different woman. Naomi learns Obasan’s silent defense against racism, as Obasan “remains in a silent territory, defined by her serving hands.” (248). Obasan, as a distinct woman, fights racism with silence, which was learned by Naomi later on.

Naomi’s mother’s relationship with Naomi does not exceed Obasan’s love towards Naomi, for Obasan has a huge influence on Naomi in the decades they spend together. The title of this book is “Obasan”, because Naomi’s relationship with Obasan is stronger than with “Mother”. Mother does not necessarily have to be the closest friend a person can have, because there might be someone else replacing “mom” for she may does a better job than the real mother.