Canada for many people is considered to be an ideal country to live in. Unspoiled nature, friendly people, a booming industry, an astonishingly convincing kind of immigration politics and democratic governments are all parts of the so called 'Canadian mosaique' which create the image of a paradise north of the United States of America.
A closer look at Canadian history does, however, present a different and more neglected side. Historical events like the conquest by the French or the British are two examples of how Europeans treated the First Nations for their own sake, a treatment whose negative consequences can still be seen today. Or the sacrifice of nature for economical interests which has amounted in environmental exploitation or disasters like the Exxon Valdez catastrophe in 1989 next to the toxic consequences of tar sand industry in Alberta. The treatment of children and teenagers and their sexual abuse which go by the catchphrase of 'The Duplessis Orphans' already hint at the topic of Joy Kogawa's novel Obasan which was first published in 1981 namely the mistreatment of people of Asian background who did not have public support.
The destiny of Japanese-Canadian citizens which is portrayed here reflects another dark chapter of Canadian history during World War Two, the mistreatment of an ethnic minority after the attacks on the American Fleet in Pearl Harbour on December 7th, 1941.
The novel does not only destroy the constructed image of a friendly encounter between East and West but also shows how we treat human beings of another culture in a seemingly open and democratic society.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introductory Notes CanLit
3. The History of Japanese Canadians
4. Autobiographical Elements in Obasan
5. Fiction of Memory – Literary Background and Typical Elements
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Objectives and Core Themes
This essay explores the intersection of trauma, memory, and identity in Joy Kogawa’s 1981 novel Obasan, examining how it serves as both a critique of historical injustice against Japanese Canadians and a contribution to the broader landscape of contemporary Canadian literature.
- The historical mistreatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II.
- The use of autobiographical elements to provide personal depth and credibility in literature.
- The concept of "fiction of memory" and how memory functions as a tool for identity formation.
- The role of literature in addressing silenced historical narratives and challenging mainstream national identity.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The History of Japanese Canadians
Most research on Japanese Canadians has focused on two segments: From the early stage of migration to the period of internment and from resettlement after World War Two to the present. In the first segment, critics have studied how early immigrants developed and supported their lives in Canada and also examined the isolated life in internment camps during World War Two by looking into official materials about internment and by interviewing internees. The second research has focused on how Japanese Canadians rebuilt their community and assimilated themselves into the Canadian mainstream. It is noteworthy to say that the redress movement developed by Japanese Canadians during the 1970s and 1980s in particular already attracted scholarly attention.
During World War Two about 21,000 Japanese Canadians were branded as ‘enemy aliens’ and interned by the government in 1945. When the war was coming to an end, Japanese Canadians were forced to choose between deportation to Japan or dispersal east of the Rocky Mountains. As a result, some 4,000 individuals were exiled from Canada in 1946. However, there has been little focus on these Japanese Canadians who were expelled from Canada right after the war as a result of the Canadian government's deportation policy. At present there are a few scholars specializing in the history of the deportees. Tatsuo Kage, one of them, has revealed the hardships of these expelled people by interviewing deportees. It is true, however, that the number of deportees who have been covered by the research has been limited. For that reason, this field of research still remains relatively unexplored.
Chapter Summary
1. Abstract: Provides an overview of the dark chapters of Canadian history, specifically focusing on the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians, and introduces the key themes of the essay.
2. Introductory Notes CanLit: Defines Contemporary English literature and its relation to Canadian Literature (CanLit), emphasizing the role of postcolonial "writing back" against colonial histories.
3. The History of Japanese Canadians: Details the chronological struggle of Japanese immigrants in Canada, covering their early contributions, the racism encountered, and the traumatic internment during World War II.
4. Autobiographical Elements in Obasan: Analyzes the novel’s connection to the autobiography genre and the challenges of maintaining authenticity when representing personal and cultural trauma.
5. Fiction of Memory – Literary Background and Typical Elements: Explores how memory functions as a narrative pillar in modern literature and how Kogawa uses "counter-memory" to challenge official historical accounts.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the lasting impact of Obasan and its success in using literature as a medium to reflect on human error, scapegoating, and the necessity of recognizing the experiences of marginalized groups.
7. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and literary works referenced throughout the critical essay.
Keywords
Japanese-Canadian, Obasan, Joy Kogawa, trauma, memory, postcolonial, identity, racism, diaspora, internment, CanLit, literature, history, narrative, redress
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this essay?
The essay focuses on Joy Kogawa's 1981 novel Obasan, examining it as a central text for understanding the trauma of Japanese Canadians during World War II and its subsequent impact on identity.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
Key themes include memory, history, trauma, racism, diaspora, and the intersection of autobiographical fiction with the national narrative of Canada.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The aim is to analyze how Kogawa's narrative uses memory and imagination to expose the silenced "dark chapters" of Canadian history and advocate for the recognition of marginalized ethnic experiences.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a close-reading literary analysis, engaging with postcolonial theory, narratology, and historical context to evaluate the novel's significance within the broader field of contemporary Canadian literature.
What topics are explored in the main body?
The main body examines the historical background of Japanese Canadians, the literary genre of autobiographical fiction, and the theory of "fiction of memory" as a tool for political and social critique.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Essential terms include trauma, memory, Japanese-Canadian, postcolonial, identity, and Obasan.
How does the author connect the concept of "imagined communities" to the novel?
The essay explains that the Japanese-Canadian community, while physically dispersed, is "imagined" through shared heritage and rituals, serving as a survival mechanism against the trauma of systemic state exclusion.
Why is the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour significant to the novel’s structure?
The attack serves as the "traumatic event" that disrupts the cultural rhythm for Japanese Canadians, functioning as a fixed point for discussing "trauma time" and the subsequent loss of citizenship and freedom.
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- Dr. Matthias Dickert (Autor), 2021, The Power of Trauma, Mourning and Salvation in Japanese-Canadian Fiction, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1021980
