Kiyoshi believes that Obanban is a substitute for his mother because the bachi from Obanban has fallen on his mom. Obanban didn't practice traditional ways when it cam to relationships. She didn't wait the mourning period of forty five days she eloped right away and then again after that in an untraditional manner left him and married another.
This is why she was looked at as the black sheep. Whether someone likes it or not there is a family member that is always looked at as "black sheep" of the family. With so many old traditions, rules, and restrictions it was easy to get this title back then especially when dealing with such a old established culture. Obanban also seemed like a mother figure the way she interacts with mama and the kids. Her maternal instincts seemed like they kicked in while mama is sick.
Hi Brian,
ReplyDeleteYour post has me wondering if Obaban's actions finally caught up with her. If we accept the beliefs of Mrs. Oyama, then retribution for our actions can fall upon family members, which means other members most likely were substitutes and paid for Obaban's misdeeds in the past. Perhaps her death makes up for those deeds?
Thanks for giving me more to think about.
Take care,
Lauren
(: Hi Brian,
ReplyDeleteI really like your post. As I was reading it, it helped me remember that part of the book that mentioned Obaban didn't practice traditional ways when it came to relationships. I believe that is one of the reasons why she became the substitute, but maybe her death was suppose meant for her in the first place. It's funny how you mentioned the "black sheep" of the family, because I over hear that some people think they are. When truly they say that only to make other feel sorry for them. I agree there is always a black sheep in a family, but some just don't get the meaning.
Brain
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post. I like your insights about how your believed that obaban was viewed as the black sheep of the family. So many people chose to write about this topic and your definitely sticks about because it very different. I really enjoyed this reading and agree that obaban was the black sheep because she took all the blame and ridicule from others. Thank you for your insights.
Jarrod
Hi Brian,
ReplyDeleteYou are right, there is always someone in the family that is the black sheep. Though we all have sinned so many times and in many ways, there is always that one person that had done much more damage and weighs in more burden than others. I would say that i was the second black sheep but i learn from mistakes and i redeemed myself in to being favored by my parents.