本論文旨在探討小川樂《歐巴桑》中的日裔加拿大人，在二戰種族拘留與迫害下的氛圍所衍生的創傷性沉默。如何正視創傷並從沉默出發，來尋找過往被壓抑的記憶，以及創傷再敘述的可能性。第一章將著重在創傷性沉默。旨在分析創傷性沉默其成因及對《歐巴桑》中角色之影響。第二章將探討創傷性記憶，應當確保其受到重視且不被扭曲。遺忘創傷可能招致歷史悲劇的重演，如需改變此況，創傷倖存者有必要邁出突破沉默的第一步。本章節傾向與《歐巴桑》中艾米莉一致的主張，闡釋揭露創傷性記憶之必要而非保持沉默。第三章著重於敘述創傷，闡釋創傷性記憶的不可磨滅，以及記憶中的過去不連貫之影響。本章將探討《歐巴桑》中無須對話來表述創傷之案例，而《歐巴桑》中的角色各有其自敘經歷之方式。在結論中，將概括本文的論點，強調《歐巴桑》旨在突破沉默，邁向敘述之主張。

This thesis aims to interpret the traumatic silence of Japanese Canadians in Joy Kogawa’s Obasan in the wake of racial internment and persecution during World War II. The thesis focuses on how to break through silence and to deal with one’s trauma and the past traumatic memory which is fractured and repressed, and to seek the possibility of narrating trauma. In Chapter One, the focus will be on the traumatic silence. I aim to analyze the causes and effect of silence on each character, including Aya Obasan, Uncle Isamu and Naomi. Chapter Two will focus on traumatic memory. It is necessary to ensure that traumatic memory is known and not altered. Oblivion of trauma may cause tragedy to occur once again. In order to change this circumstance, it is the traumatic survivors who have to make the first step to walk out of silence. In line with Aunt Emily’s claim, this chapter aims to explain why traumatic memory has to be revealed rather than remain in silence. Chapter Three will focus on narrating trauma. I aim to interpret why traumatic memory is indelible and what may occur when the past memory is incoherent. Therefore, it is significant that, as Obasan demonstrates, trauma can be narrated without speech, as each character in Obasan presents different methods to narrate their experience. In Conclusion, I will sum up my arguments, emphasizing that the novel, Obasan, itself is an example of progress from silence to narration.

Table of Contents

Introduction...........................................1
Chapter I. Living in Stone: Traumatic Silence.........13
Chapter II. Living in the Shadow: Traumatic Memory....27
Chapter III. Towards Healing: Narrating Trauma........40
Conclusion............................................51
Works Cited...........................................54

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