Identity
The theme of identity is discussed through members of the Nakane clan as they confront the challenges brought about by their migrant status. The Nakane children, being Nisei or second-generation migrant Japanese, were struggling to fit into their new environs as Canadians. They refused to speak Japanese when in school but they also felt the need to maintain ties to their native nation because of their older relatives who lived with them. Uncle Isamu was fisherman and boatwright by trade but he is forbidden to fish or build boats, and to make matters worse he is relocated to the plains--a place as far away from the sea as he has ever been.
Racism/Race Relations
Racism is a prevalent theme that is dealt with in the novel. All members of the Nakane clan experience some form of discrimination at one point or another and this struggle is deeply intertwined with the theme of identity. This is especially true for the younger members of the family particularly Naomi, Stephen, and Emily. Having migrated to Canada the primary objective of the younger members of the family is not survival--this is the primary objective of the older members of the family--but successful integration into their new culture. In order to integrate successfully they must choose to set aside their “Japanese-ness”, essentially discarding a vital part of their identity.
Family
The novel is every bit a story about a family struggling to find its place in the world; in this case a completely new world after having established themselves already. It also revolves heavily around how members of the Nakane family interact with each other and how those interactions become instrumental in the formation of their character throughout the novel. Naomi, despite her emotionally distant relationship with her father, credits his constant push for academic excellence for her eventual entry into the academe. Stephen’s close relationship with their father is indispensable in his development as a musical prodigy, which, over time became key to gaining acceptance in mainstream Canadian society. Amidst all of these relationships, some estranged, all were bound together by Obasan Ayako, whose quiet wisdom helped to give all of them a sense of family and remembrance that part of their identity was also Japanese.
Gender Dynamics
The theme of gender dynamics is played out through Naomi and Stephen. The two, despite being full-blooded siblings and gifted in their own unique ways individually are regarded very differently by their father, Tadashi. Tadashi, being a first generation Japanese migrant or Issei adheres to many traditional Japanese notions of parenting, specifically favoring male children as they are seen as the only legitimate heirs. Although female children are also valued for a completely different set of reasons, the message is clear: Stephen is the favorite, not only because he shares the same musical genius that he has but because he too is a male. Despite this obvious favoritism it is worth noting that the very traditional Japanese notion of great paternal piety has sunk in deeply into Naomi, as she has nothing but the greatest respect for her father.
Clash of Cultures
Another very prominently featured theme is the clash of cultures, a theme very closely tied to the themes of identity and race relations. The Nakane family moved out of Japan out of a desire to survive--little better than being exiled considering the circumstances. When they arrive in Canada, things are already difficult as they all needed to make major adjustments such as the language but most especially the culture. In Canada, they are exiles, strangers in a strange land, and when the war escalates they are looked upon with a mixture of contempt and suspicion. The best way to cope with this is to try their best to integrate, an especially challenging matter for the Issei, or Japanese-born migrants as Japan is all they’ve ever known. The Sansei, the second generation of Japanese migrants have it the toughest as they bear the brunt of the social pressure of trying to straddle between two cultures, and the Sansei, the third generation of migrants, have it a bit easier as they are on the path to integration into their adoptive society care of all the difficulties endured by the Issei and Sansei.
