Funerary Symbols in Oe Kenzaburo’s The Silent Cry (1967) and Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain (1970)

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Date
2019
Authors
Nderitu, James
Makokha, J. K. S.
Mugubi, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature (IJSELL)
Abstract
This research paper is based on the study of the primary texts; Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain (1970) and Oe Kenzaburo’s The Silent Cry (1967). It seeks to identify and examine the significance of funerary symbols in the two selected novels. The paper 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. This study and its findings address this research paucity and invoke further research. The research design 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 before 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
Research Article
Keywords
Aesthetics, Funerary Symbols, Ibuse, Japanese Fiction, Kenzaburo
Citation
Nderitu, J., Makokha, J. K. S., & Mugubi, J. Funerary Symbols in Oe Kenzaburo’s the Silent Cry (1967) and Masuji Ibuse’s Black Rain (1970).