Yamanba of the Mountain

Question

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?

Responses

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. - no response given

The author uses onomatopoeia that describes sounds in a way that is universally understood and recognized.
The author uses onomatopoeia that describes sounds in a way that is universally understood and recognized. - no response given

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. - no response given

The author uses onomatopoeia that reflects the way people who live in that culture would describe sounds

Answer 1

The appropriate response regarding how the author uses language to highlight the cultural setting in "Yamanba of the Mountain" is:

The author uses onomatopoeia that reflects the way people who live in that culture would describe sounds.

Cathy Spagnoli incorporates specific onomatopoeic words like "byuu," "za," and "ba-ra," which evoke the sounds of wind, rain, and hail, respectively. These auditory descriptions not only create a vivid sensory experience but also reflect the cultural context in which such natural phenomena are described, emphasizing the relationship between the people and their environment.