In "Aunt" by Joy Kogawa, the character of Aunt Emily represents a figure who passionately engages in writing and communication. Her efforts resemble a frenzied outpouring of thoughts and ideas, akin to the unpredictable spread of buckshot. This imagery suggests that her words, like bullets, aim to confront the larger societal issues and injustices around her, particularly those that linger ominously like a shadow in the sky.
Emily's typewriter becomes a symbol of resistance and the power of expression. Through her writing, she seeks to challenge and illuminate the hidden truths of her world. The act of typing signifies her determination to address and confront the challenges she faces, making her an emblem of hope and perseverance amid darkness and uncertainty.