June 2011 – …the role adversity plays in shaping an individual’s identity.
Adversity is a difficult or unpleasant situation that presents challenges and obstacles. It can take many different forms, such as natural disasters, economic hardships, or discrimination and prejudice. Adversity can be physically, emotionally, or mentally challenging, and can have a significant impact on an individual or a community. However, it can also provide opportunities for growth and development, as individuals and communities learn to adapt to challenging situations and find ways to overcome obstacles. Adversity can also bring people together and help to strengthen relationships and communities. The term shouldn’t be perceived negatively as adversity is a natural part of life that presents challenges and opportunities for growth and development. While reading the novel Obasan I noticed that the main character Naomi developed and changed throughout the story as she recalled her past experiences. It made me think about the adversities that have occurred in my life and how they have shaped me, and how my life would have been had I not come across these problems.
To further elaborate, Obasan is a novel written by Joy Kogawa, that tells the story of a Japanese Canadian family during World War II. The novel is narrated by the main character, Naomi, who is a 36 year old middle school teacher. The novel begins with the tragic death of her uncle. This causes her to think back to her memories as a child and the adversities she faced growing up. Naomi remembers her poor living conditions and how she faced discrimination and prejudice. This discrimination is a result of the war and the fear and suspicion that many people felt toward Japanese Canadians at the time. Another form of adversity that Naomi faces is when she was molested as a child. She did not fight back as she was very young and was taught to respect elders and listen to what they told her to do. When she moved to Granton, Naomi struggled to adjust to her new life and to understand the experiences of her family and community. She also struggles with her own sense of identity as a Japanese Canadian and must come to terms with the discrimination and prejudice she faces.
It is clear that she has faced many adversities in her life. Through her adversities, Naomi learns to embrace her heritage and make amends with others by remaining silent. She also learns about the history and struggles of her family and community, gaining a deeper understanding of her own identity and her place in the world. Overall, adversity plays a crucial role in shaping the individual identities of the characters in Obasan. Naomi uses her experiences to grow and learn and ultimately emerges from the novel as a wiser and more mature person, she remains strong and resilient through her struggles. The adversity that she experiences serves to shape her character and ultimately helps her to become the person that she is by the end of the novel.
I’ve faced adversities in my life, just like everyone else, but none as extreme as those mentioned in Obasan. The biggest challenge I faced was when my parents went on Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. This meant they left me and my siblings to stay with my grandparents in India for three weeks. At first, I was comfortable with my grandparents, but as time went on, I realized how much I had relied on my parents. I missed them more and more each day, wondering when they would come back. Even though my grandparents treated me very nicely, it just wasn’t the same without my parents. I began to understand how much of a blessing my parents are in my life. While facing this adversity, there was nothing I could physically do to overcome the situation. It was more a matter of controlling my emotions and passing time until they returned. When they finally came back, it was one of the most relieving moments of my life. After living without my parents for three weeks, I realized and truly appreciated all that they have done for me in my life. This adversity that I had overcome reshaped my identity as I was inspired to cherish the moments that I have with my parents because as time goes on I do not want to feel regretful when they are no longer there for me.
Adversity, though often difficult to endure, ultimately serves to benefit individuals and communities by pushing them out of their comfort zones and challenging them to grow and develop. Through my own personal experiences and the novel Obasan, I have come to understand that adversity is not meant to defeat us, but rather to encourage us to think critically and find solutions to our problems. Over time, adversity can present opportunities for personal growth and development as we learn to adapt to challenging situations and overcome obstacles. In this way, adversity can be seen as a positive as it forces individuals to confront difficult truths about themselves and the world around them and ultimately helps them to understand their own identities more fully.
Citations:
https://www.terrylige.com/choice/overcoming-the-fear-of-facing-adversity/
https://www.worth.com/how-to-turn-adversity-into-advantage-during-times-of-crisis/
https://www.reviewofreligions.org/32383/what-is-hajj-rites-of-the-pilgrimage/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30375880-obasan
https://news-decoder.com/do-not-fear-hardships-get-challenged-and-change/
https://arunimitra.com/2016/07/17/revisiting-old-thoughts-part-ii/