The author employs specific language and sound words that evoke a sense of the natural environment and the cultural beliefs surrounding the Yamanba, a mythical figure in Japanese folklore. Phrases like "great winds whipped through the village" and the onomatopoeic sounds "byuu, byuu," "za, za, za, za," and "ba-ra, ba-ra" convey the intensity of the storm, setting a dramatic and culturally rich scene. Additionally, the mention of traditional food items like "rice balls" and "mochi" emphasizes the cultural significance of food rituals and communal fears associated with the Yamanba, linking the character's mythical narrative with the lived experiences of the villagers. This use of evocative language immerses readers in the cultural setting, inviting them to feel the villagers' superstitions and the connection to their environment.
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Yamanba of the Mountain
by Cathy Spagnoli
When great winds whipped through the village, people said, "It's her fault, that yamanba. She always makes trouble."
However, no one had ever seen the Yamanba. No one had ever heard the Yamanba. They didn’t even know if she was real. They only passed on the terrible tales that their parents had heard from their parents.
Now, one fall day, a fierce wind suddenly blew, byuu, byuu. Rain poured down, za, za, za, za. Hailstones fell too, ba-ra, ba-ra. Then a terrifying voice roared, "I am the yamanba's new baby. We both want rice balls right now. If you don't bring mochi to us soon, we'll eat you all up!"
"Yamanba of the Mountain" from Asian Tales and Tellers by Cathy Spagnoli © 1998 Cathy Spagnoli, published 1998 by August House, Inc.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
How does the author use language to highlight the cultural setting?
(1 point)
Res…
3 answers
(1 point)
Responses
The author uses onomatopoeia that reflects the way people who live in that culture would describe sounds.
The author uses onomatopoeia that reflects the way people who live in that culture would describe sounds.
The author uses personification to highlight a universal fear people across cultures are likely to share.
The author uses personification to highlight a universal fear people across cultures are likely to share.
The author uses personification to give the storm characteristics that reflect the people in that culture.
The author uses personification to give the storm characteristics that reflect the people in that culture.
The author uses onomatopoeia that describes sounds in a way that is universally understood and recognized.
The best response that highlights how the author uses language to showcase the cultural setting is:
The author uses onomatopoeia that reflects the way people who live in that culture would describe sounds.
This response accurately identifies the use of onomatopoeia to capture the auditory experiences of the setting, which is culturally relevant in conveying the atmosphere and the superstitions surrounding the Yamanba in the village.