Usage of Funerary Symbols in Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain and Kenzaburo Oe’s the Silent Cry
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Date
2017
Authors
Nderitu, James Maina
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This research work is based on the study of the primary texts; Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain (1970)
and Kenzaburo Oe’s The Silent Cry (1967). It seeks to examine how the funerary symbols
appear, are employed and their significance in the two selected novels. The research also looks
at the influence that funerary symbols have on plot, characterization and themes in the texts. A
writer uses one form of communication over another in his or her work for a reason. An
interrogation of available scholarship on Japanese writers indicates that the area covered by this
research has not been exhausted. It is hoped that this study and its findings contribute in
addressing this research paucity and invokes further research. The research design used in this
study is descriptive. Since this is a library based research, the primary texts were read alongside
other critical works deemed relevant for the findings of the research. The results from the
primary data were then analyzed to arrive at the final findings. This study was conducted within
the guidelines of two theoretical frameworks: Semiotics Literary theory and Psychoanalytic
literary theory. Semiotics literary approach is instrumental when it comes to analyzing the
communication modes embraced by the two authors. Psychoanalysis is useful in analyzing the
funerary symbols employed by the selected authors.
Description
A Research Project Report Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Literature of Kenyatta University, 2017. April 2017