20
The internment camps were a tough spot in history. Those forced to leave everything behind remember bitterly the old life they gave up and the new one they were forced to accept. In Obasan, Joy Kogawa describes her memories of being shipped away. At first, she uses harsh, painful language to describe the tough details. She then switches, however, to a more fragmented and positive image. In the opening paragraph, Kogawa uses such words as “weeping” and “water-logged eulogies” to describe the pain associated with leaving for internment camps. The language used is so descriptive that the negative, depressed air is almost tangible. This section categorized the people on the train. It is far more descriptive than reflective and is used to set the tone of doom and gloom. There is a break at line 23 and Kogawa begins to reflect on memories more than feelings. The section is more fragmented and details are described by Kogawa as “dream images.” Although still holding a morbid undertone, this section poses a new idea: unity. Kogawa explains even strangers are addressed as “‘ojisan’ or ‘obasan,’ meaning uncle or aunt.” This time of pain and hardship pulls everyone together. Kogawa’s obasan generously gives some food to a stranger with a baby simply because she can see the woman is struggling. This shows a new aspect of tragedy in that it has the ability to pull people together. The passage ends on a note of hope thickly surrounded by sorrow. Even though Kogawa never leaves the original image of betrayal and pain, she begins to weave in hope and unity as the community of internees band together in this difficult time. As Kogawa reviews this painful time in her life, the outstanding impression is no doubt sorrow. However, by acknowledging the