Kogawa explicates the experiences of Japanese-Canadians during World War II and the tensions of this period. The war period was marred with xenophobic and racist sentiments following the escalation of the hostilities between the Allies and Axis powers. She delves into the lives of emigrants, as discrimination, dispossession, displacement, and internment become their new normal. The author explores the crimes against humanity that took place since the scale of the war obscured many of such injustices. Through the characters, the narrative showcases the responses Japanese-Canadians had during and after this period of discordance. It explores the responses from different generations of Japanese-Canadians which include the Issei (first generation), Nisei (second-generation), and the Sansei the third-generation.
Furthermore, it is a tale about family and the aspects that mold our identity and heritage amid disruption and chaos. The story opens with Naomi Nakane as an adult now residing in Alberta recalling her childhood in Vancouver during the Second World War. It oscillates between past and present whilst offering the realities of history that saw the government respond unfairly amid wartime tensions. Henceforth highlights the persecution of all generations despite their citizenship as they were labeled enemies of the state by default. Though they exhibited allegiance to their country their loyalty was still questioned even to the extent of denaturalization. Each family member represents the different reactions the emigrants projected after the mistreatment of Japanese-Canadians.
Naomi as a child narrates her perspective after she and her brother are left under the care of their grandmother during the displacements. Therefore explores how the pressures at the time influenced their identity and pride in their heritage. Stephen rejected his heritage to escape the discrimination whilst Naomi remained loyal to it since she was oblivious of the hate at the time. Aunt Emily represents the second-generation emigrants who clearly remember their oppression and keen on activism and justice. Akin to Naomi’s parents and Emily the Nisei (second-generation) understand the loss of identity they suffered in the process. Though Emily is outspoken the other members of the family are pacifists and prefer silence specifically the eponymous character Obasan.
