In the book Obasan, Joy Kogawa uses images to convey different symbolic meanings in Naomi's life. Naomi goes through a journey in the novel to discover the truth about her past. One of the many literary elements the novel possesses is animal imagery which emphasizes meaning and contributes to the theme of the novel. Several animals are mentioned throughout the novel to represent Naomi's emotions and her journey. Kogawa uses several examples of animal imagery in his novel Obasan to reveal the nature of power, both physical and emotional, and the victim of power, Naomi. Animals such as chicks represent Naomi's helplessness and innocence as she lived in a world without her mother or knowledge of her history. The animals Kogawa uses, kittens, chicks and birds, are not strong enough against humans. They are not lions or tigers that can harm other animals or human beings, making them easily threatened and killed by those in power. Throughout the novel, animals are controlled by humans, in the same way that Naomi is controlled by the adults around her. . Naomi identifies with animals and often dreams of them; for example, she dreams of meeting a couple who own an animal. It's either a dog or a lion, Naomi doesn't know, but she knows that it "belongs to the man." His obedience is phenomenal” (35). The word "phenomenal" means how much control the man has over his dog, so much so that the creature turns out to be a robot. He has no feelings and is easily manipulated, he cannot run away or fight back, in the same way as Naomi in the novel. Old Man Gower is an adult who greatly frightens Naomi by dominating her like no one else. He forces himself on her, using his hands and his words, both physical...... middle of paper ......og is able to escape with his healed leg; the frog is able to come out of his past unlike Naomi. Kogawa's strategy of using animals in his novel, Obasan, is for a reason, as well as what types of animals. The animals and Naomi live in an unjust world where power is used to dominate them, ending the animals' lives and affecting Naomi for a long time. Naomi goes through a journey but cannot overcome the nature of power that has haunted her since childhood. She remains a victim of power even if she discovers the truth about her mother and returns to the casting at the end. By using animals, Kogawa shows how complicated Naomi's journey is, that she must remain silent, that she is excluded from her family and that she carries the past with her even at thirty-six years old. Kogawa sends the message that animals are just as fragile and easily threatened as humans.