The Theme of Motherhood in Obasan

Chinese writer Lin Yutang once said, “Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” However, the word mother does not always apply to a woman who gives birth to a child, but a woman who gives maternal love and tenderness. The role of mother in the novel Obasan was passed down to the three main female figures of the novel. Naomi’s biological mother, Obasan and Aunt Emily each took …

…female figures in the book had a hand in the raising of Naomi and Stephen. Each one took a different point in the children’s lives to help guide them along the way. Mother, Obasan and Emily had done a good job in raising the children. Teaching them about life, how to be civil people, and how to show compassion. Most people only have one mother. Naomi and Stephen were lucky though. They had three.