Plot Summary

Image #1

Spider webs

Plot Summary

Obasan wakes up Naomi during the middle of the night for helping Obasan find something in the attic. Naomi finds herself digging into her past when she visits Obasan's attic. The attic has numerous spider webs. The reason why they visited the attic is to find Aunt Emily's parcel. As Obasan looks through old possessions, Naomi ponders that she and Obasan are trapped by memories of their dead relatives. Subsequently, all they find is dust and spider webs which is an important image of the past. In addition, what the attic hold is forgotten memories surrounded by spider webs.

Significance to the Novel

In the novel, Obasan by Joy Kogawa the image of the spider webs are significant. A spider web is an ancient symbol of mystery, power, and growth. Naomi has her story that is woven similarly like a spider web. By this I mean Naomi's mother and father leave her with Obasan and Aunt Emily. Consequently, Naomi weaves together parts of her life by stories told to her by both her aunts. Hence, once the pieces of her story have been told, her web is complete.

Personal Significance

The spider webs found in Obasan can be given a personal significance. To recall, a spider web is an ancient symbol of mystery, power, and growth. Just as the Spider weaves a web, I too must weave my own. Depending on decisions, choices, and actions made, a web can either serve or enslave. Moreover, the spider found within the web reminds us that we are the center of our own world. Also, the Spider is a reminder that the world is woven around us. Thus, "we are the keepers and the writers of our own destiny, weaving it like a web with our thoughts, feelings, and actions." - Ted Andrews

Image #2

Naomi's mother

Plot Summary

Naomi recalls an incident and vividly remembers the moment the photo was taken. In the picture, she is clinging to her mother's leg on a street corner in Vancouver. A boy was staring at her, which tensed her up, but her mother gave her some motherly support. Naomi remembers observing her mother behavior in public of not look at anyone directly because it can be indiscreet and "such a lack of decorum, it is clear, is as unthinkable as nudity on the street (pg. 50)".

Significance to Novel

In Joy K. Obasan, the mother of Naomi played significance to the novel. Naomi's mother is viewed as a symbol in the novel, and merely a tale or story. Both, Aunt Emily and Obasan are whom that relate stories about her mother. Also, Naomi herself has numerous