Canadian Social Science
The Ambiguous "Ball"--The Multiple Narrative Functions and Meanings of the "Ball" in Through the Arc of the Rain Forest
Abstract
This study examines Through the Arc of the Rain Forest, a novella by Japanese-American author Karen Tei Yamashita, using corpus linguistic methods to explore the multifaceted functions and meanings of the “ball” in the novel through qualitative interpretation and quantitative analysis. The findings indicate that the “ball”, as a central motif, pervades the entire text with increasingly profound functions and symbolic significance. It functions not only as an external marker of Kazumasa Ishimaru’s social identity but also as an extension of his psychological self and a testament to the development of his moral self. This multidimensional narrative role establishes the “ball” as a crucial link connecting personal growth with societal reflection. By analyzing this core motif with corpus methods, the study provides new insights into understanding the novel’s narrative structure and thematic depth, thereby enhancing the interpretation of Yamashita’s work and offering empirical support for methodological diversity in literary analysis.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13807
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