Before long, Naomi learns that her Grandmother Nakane has died. It has only been a few weeks since Naomi had seen her paternal grandparents who had arrived by train to also live in Slocan. Grandmother Nakane's illness prohibited their staying so the elderly couple was taken away to another internment camp called New Denver. Naomi learns another lesson in restraint, as she watches her grandparents leave in silence. Aunt Obasan has taught the young Naomi that it is wagamama, or selfish, to think of oneself in spite of the wishes and needs of another and it is not good to burden anyone departing with the weight of a sad goodbye.
Naomi accompanies Aunt Obasan to Grandmother Nakane's wake and funeral and witnesses for the first time the ritual of a funeral.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 785 words. This
study guide contains 23,620 words (approx. 79 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Obasan Access Pass.
