In the novel Obasan, Kogawa uses Naomi's character development to convey that racism, internment, and abandonment by loved ones in the early years of life can lead to feeling confused about one's identity. The novel's narrator, Naomi, goes through a series of traumatic events as a child, especially internment, sexual harassment, and abandonment by her loved ones. Before being sent to Slocan (a ghost town) by the Canadian government, Naomi was harassed by her neighbor Old Man Gower, who repeatedly told her not to tell her mother anything. She later states that this incident, in particular, was the one that separated her from her mother. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Later in the novel, in a hospital in Slocan, Naomi mentions a racist term, the yellow peril. “Yellow” is a racist color metaphor for Japanese Canadians. Naomi states that “to be yellow in the game Yellow Peril means to be weak and small. The yellow must be the chicken. I'm not yellow. He associated the color yellow with weakness, showing how he believes that being Japanese means being weak. She also states that yellow chicks grow up to be white, Naomi also associates this thought with herself. She thinks that as she gets older she will become white, which means that as she gets older, other people will recognize her as Canadian. Because of this belief, Naomi struggles with her identity as a whole. In particular, as a child, Naomi recognizes that she is culturally bilingual and has a double identity, she states: “Who is it that teaches me that in the language of the eyes a look is an invasion and a reproach? Grandma Kato? Obasan? Uncle? Mother? Everyone raised in Japan speaks the same language; but Aunt Emily and Dad, born and raised in Canada, are visually bilingual. I'm learning a second language too." It can be inferred that it moves back and forth from the cultural languages ​​and beliefs of Canada and Japan. However, when she reaches adulthood, she notes that she is still recognized as "Japanese" because of her eyes. Although Japanese culture doesn't seem to be a big part of her lifestyle or identity when she becomes an adult. Naomi looks Japanese (the most important factor is her eyes), acts Japanese and even eats Japanese food, but claims she doesn't feel Japanese in her soul. It feels truly Canadian. The most important factor is that she believes it is her eyes that reveal her Japanese heritage, in fact, Obasan even told Naomi when she was younger to look down while walking so other people don't notice her eyes and associate her as “Japanese.” Because of the extreme racism and internment she faced as a child (and will face into adulthood), she believes that her appearance and Japanese background define who she is. Keep in mind: This is just one example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers Get a custom essay In conclusion, Naomi's conflicted identity was shaped by childhood abuse of both a sexual and political nature..