Silence in Obasan

1055 Words5 Pages
Silence By: Usamah Khan Silence can be expressed in diverse ways, and bears many crucial advantages over its damage. Throughout the novel Obasan Joy Kogawa refers to the silence within Naomi’s family, both in terms of questions that go unanswered and in terms of information that is withheld. The novel also depicts how silence becomes a crucial part of Naomi’s upbringing, and what she concludes about the significance of silence in her own experience and that of her peers. Silence might have damaged Naomi over long term, but it protected her childhood and damage now is not as severe. Although silence has a dark side, there is also a bright side. One major aspect of life Naomi learned from staying under the influence of silence was respect. “The language of her grief is silence...Over the years, silence within her small body has grown large and powerful"(pg. 14). In Japanese culture, grief is expected to be inherited without complaint. This is one of the reasons why the Japanese in Canada were so compliant with the order for their relocation. Obasan exemplifies this tradition, drawing dignity and power from quiet endurance. Today our view of silence is generally looked upon as passive; in Obasan’s case it traditionally signals pensiveness, alertness, and sensitivity. The people of this story are silenced throughout their whole lives, living out their cultural ways, even though living in another country. Obasan and Nomi were raised to respect through silence. Ever since Naomi was five, Obasan raised her and her brother Stephen within the shadows of silence. Being silent in front of another person is an act of respect since you are ready to listen and appreciate his saying. It's respectful to allow the other person time to think about what has been asked. Also when one has committed an act probated by any authority silence shows that this individual is ashamed and
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