Introduction
Animal imagery is a powerful tool in literature, often serving as a mirror to human experiences and emotions. In the works of Joy Kogawa’s “Obasan” and Timothy Findley’s “The Wars,” animal imagery plays a crucial role in exploring themes of trauma, identity, and the impact of war. Both authors utilize animals not merely as background characters but as symbolic representations that deepen our understanding of their characters’ inner lives and societal conditions. In this essay, we’ll dive into how these two novels employ animal imagery to enrich their narratives and convey complex emotional landscapes.
The Role of Animal Imagery in “Obasan”
“Obasan,” set against the backdrop of Japanese internment during World War II in Canada, uses animal imagery to highlight themes of loss and resilience. One significant example is the recurring motif of the crane. The crane symbolizes grace, longevity, and peace in many cultures, including Japanese. Throughout the novel, Kogawa refers to cranes to evoke both beauty and fragility—a fitting reflection on the protagonist Naomi’s experience as she grapples with her family’s past and the traumas inflicted upon them by society.
Kogawa’s use of cranes becomes particularly poignant when they are contrasted with human suffering. For instance, during moments when Naomi recalls her childhood or her Aunt Obasan’s soothing presence, cranes often appear as harbingers of hope or reminders of beauty amid devastation. This duality creates a rich tapestry where readers can perceive that even amidst despair—represented by internment—the spirit (like that of a crane) can still find ways to endure.
Moreover, Kogawa’s vivid descriptions help us understand how Naomi’s identity is shaped by both her cultural heritage and her personal trauma. The cranes reflect her internal struggles; they embody not just beauty but also serve as reminders that life continues despite adversity. By using these birds as a recurring image throughout “Obasan,” Kogawa emphasizes the importance of memory and nature in healing from trauma.
Animal Imagery in “The Wars”
In contrast to Kogawa’s contemplative use of animal imagery in “Obasan,” Findley employs it more overtly to highlight the brutality associated with war in “The Wars.” Here, animals are often depicted alongside scenes of violence or chaos—serving not just as symbols but also functioning almost like casualties themselves within the human conflict at play.
A notable example is Findley’s depiction of horses throughout the narrative. Horses symbolize both freedom and bondage; they represent an idealized view of nature yet become victims within wartime atrocities. In one gripping scene, horses are shown being led into battle alongside soldiers—an image filled with tragic irony since these majestic creatures are reduced to mere instruments for warfare.
This cruel juxtaposition between their noble stature and their grim fate evokes empathy for both animals and humans caught up in war’s relentless machinery. Just like soldiers who face moral dilemmas on the battlefield, horses too undergo transformation due to their circumstances—they become symbols for loss rather than symbols for strength or endurance.
The Intersectionality: Trauma Through Animal Imagery
Both novels skillfully weave together human experience with animal representations to explore deeper truths about trauma—whether personal or collective—in times marked by suffering and conflict. For Naomi in “Obasan,” cranes serve not only as motifs reflecting cultural roots but also signify survival against oppression; while for Robert Ross (the protagonist in “The Wars”), horses evoke feelings related not just to loss but also raise questions regarding humanity itself amid devastation caused by man-made conflicts.
This intersectionality suggests that trauma transcends species—both humans facing wars’ horrors share similarities with animals subjected under brutal forces beyond their control—and ultimately beckons readers towards empathy regardless if it involves people or non-human creatures alike.
Conclusion
Through examining Joy Kogawa’s “Obasan” alongside Timothy Findley’s “The Wars,” we see how impactful animal imagery can be when navigating complex themes such as trauma, identity formation processes influenced by external circumstances (like war), enduring resilience against overwhelming odds—all beautifully articulated via nuanced depictions intertwined within narratives themselves! As readers engage deeply with these texts showcasing varied dimensions through which artists approach existential dilemmas around pain/loss/identity…we’re invited not just into stories about survival—but onto paths toward collective understanding about what it means ‘to bear witness’ across boundaries separating different forms/expressions living beings may take!
References
- Kogawa, Joy. Obasan. Penguin Books Canada Limited, 1981.
- Findley, Timothy. The Wars. Penguin Canada Books Ltd., 1977.
- Lindsay, J.R., & Wilson S.E., Eds., “Animal Imagery: Connecting Nature And Narrative.” Canadian Literature Studies Journal vol 10 no 4 (2019): pp 95-112.
- Barrie A.C., “Symbolism Of Animals Within Literature: A Cross-Cultural Approach.” Journal Of Literary Critique vol 15 no 3 (2020): pp 56-74.
