repression

Sentiments With Obasan

eric998 20-1 A, eric, Personal Response, Response to Literature, Writing , , 3 Comments
Sentiments With Obasan

 

In what I have read so far of the novel “Obasan” by Joy Kogawa, it is seen that the outside forces are affecting Naomi in who she is. Even though I have not read the full book, and as such do not know how she ends up, throughout the novel she changes as the internment starts and then goes on. For example, while her mom is still at home, Naomi is more there as a person. Then, later through the diary we learn that slowly as the internment goes by she becomes more quiet due to the difficulties and discrimination. Almost repressing herself with the pressures she is going through. As such she changes due to the external forces that are pushing her down.

 

 The book so far, in terms of story, has been great.   I enjoy what the story is about and the pain it shows from the Japanese internment. However,  the writing style has really made the book more difficult to read. Sometimes, I will read a part and then re-read it as my brain did not fully realize what I just read. It also at points was confusing with what point in time it was being told from. As it would have a part in the past then the present, then the past again and it confused me a little bit. I also feel that the book would state too much information, to the point where it would be unnecessary and just cause me to lose interest at that moment. This caused the book to feel a lot more tiring to read than normal. Although, that imagery also helped make a picture in my mind of how the places look. I think it still could have done with better conciseness in that aspect. 

In the book there was also an entire section that felt kind of unnecessary. In the section Old Man Gower, from inference, violates Naomi. This, up to the point I am in the book, is not touched on again. It does not seem to affect her in any way really. When I would expect it to affect her in a much more deep way. Instead it feels that part could be omitted and the story would feel the exact same.

 

Citations:

Image – https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/internment-of-japanese-canadians

Image 2 – https://crosscountrymoversgroup.com/moving-mistakes/

Image 3 – https://www.homage.com.my/health/anxiety/

Featured Image – https://archive.org/details/obasannovel00koga

 

Repression in Society

levim190 20-1D, Response to Literature, Writing , , , 6 Comments
Repression in Society
Modern society as symbolically envisioned by the prisoner “Look at the City From Here” By Faiz Ahmad Faiz

The poem “Look at the City from Here” by Faiz Ahmad Faiz is a principled and philosophical perspective on the repressed conditions of society envisioned through an ironically liberated individual who is imprisoned beyond the reach of societal influences. The title “Look at the City from Here” emphasizes the concepts of liberation and repression through the implication of an almost omniscient perception of one surpassing the conformity of the “City.” The poet Faiz utilizes literary devices such as alliteration, metaphorical comparisons, vivid imagery, and symbolism to purpose the dark, dreary, and poignant depictions of the monotonous subjugation of individuality in society.

Some excerpts from the poem that highlight the ingenuity of literature the poet possessed include “Each street is a dog-run for prisoners… No milestones, no destinations, no way out” and “…from here you cannot tell… Whether the color streaming down the walls Is that of blood or roses?” The first excerpt cynically compares the city’s condition like the enclosure of a prison yard, suffocating to the human mind as it prevents the flourishing of identity. The second excerpt emboldens the reader’s resolve to identify the truth about the “City”; is it one of repression and conformity, as envisioned by the prisoner, or is it one of peaceful unity, vibrantly thriving despite being obscured by the prisoner’s loss of individuality? As individuals living in an interconnected society, this poem takes into consideration the potential of our identities being repressed unbeknownst to what is perceived. Is humanity already possessed by the conformity that digests our dignity with passive resolve? This poem encourages the reader to delve into the intricate complexity of societal limitations and individuality.

A surplus of immigrants with health issues gather at an unspecified medical foundation’s headquarters

This theme correlates to the underlying meaning of the similar poem “Everyday we get More Illegal” by Juan Filipe Herrera which emphasizes the unjust conformity of individuals with distinct identities in society. The poem continues to analyze the repressions experienced by immigrants that are enacted by the laws that restrict their freedoms and individual identity. Their situation is not one of choice as the strong connections of their past are destroyed by the corruption of peace and security. The line “Our dessert burns with trash and drugs” encourages the reader to visualize the imposed struggle many immigrants face through emotional imagery of the dangerous conditions of their homes. In conclusion, each individual living in society can be perceived to be a “prisoner” to the enforced conformity and displaced from their sense of identity by societal expectations and demands.

 

 

 

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