There sure is a lot of talk about houses in Obasan. There's a house in Vancouver, the one in Slocan, the hut in Granton. But why does it matter? Home is just where you put your stuff, right? For the characters in Obasan, home is more than just a place because it is ripped from them just like their freedoms and childhoods. It's something that they can never get back, even though they try.
Questions About The Home
- We know what Obasan's house looks like, and how it reflects her personality. With that in mind, what do you think Aunt Emily's house looks like?
- What do you think is the difference between a house and home in Obasan? Which locations are homes, and which are just houses?
- Throughout the novel, Naomi says that she never gets to go home. What do you think she means by that? Do you think that changes in the last chapter of the novel? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
In Obasan, home is where the heart is.
No one in Obasan is ever allowed to return home.