Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Obasan, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Race, Identity, and Citizenship
History and Memory
Speech vs. Silence
Selflessness and Decorum
Summary
Analysis
In 1952, Stephen leaves home to attend the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He visits the family in the spring of 1954, and though he is less moody, he ignores Obasan and often refuses to eat the food she prepares. He prefers Aunt Emily, who, he tells Naomi, is not like Obasan and Uncle. Emily also comes to visit that summer, which is the first time Naomi has seen her in 12 years. On the way home from the train station, Uncle and Aunt Emily reminisce about the past, and Uncle recites a haiku. This agitates Stephen, who is “always uncomfortable when something is ‘too Japanese.’”
Stephen has grown out of his teenage moodiness, but his adult self is just as intent on leaving behind his Japanese heritage. To Stephen, that requires cutting himself off from the members of his family who are more connected to Japanese culture. Aunt Emily hasn’t intentionally dissociated herself from the family, but Naomi grew up without her, which speaks to why their relationship is distant in 1972.
Themes
Naomi is busy studying for most of Aunt Emily’s visit. The night before Emily departs, Naomi wakes in the middle of the night and hears a hushed conversation between Uncle and Emily. She peeks into the room and sees Obasan is there as well, praying while Uncle and Emily argue about whether the children should be told something about Japan. Uncle insists that the information should be withheld “for the sake of the children,” but Emily disagrees and tries to persuade him to take a stack of papers. He refuses, and Emily tearfully returns the papers to her bag.
In their argument, Uncle and Emily represent opposing viewpoints on the role of silence and truth. Uncle believes that the truth is dangerous and that the adults are responsible for protecting the children from it. This mirrors his promise to tell an adult Naomi something important when she is old enough. Emily, on the other hand, believes that the children deserve to know the truth, but she yields to Uncle’s judgment. Obasan stays out of the debate, remaining stoic and silent as ever.
Themes
