YASUO

Question 1

westernization -
‘He spoke

Answer 1

‘He spoke glibly, without a trace of the local dialect’ (p.22)

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The adjective “glibly” denotes his overconfidence and boasts his western influence through his lack of accent. It also hints that he’s willing to deceive for self-fulfilling desires as his western influences are perceived negatively.

Question 2

westernization-
‘Yasuo’s glistening

Answer 2

‘Yasuo’s glistening leather jacket’

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His leather jacket is a symbol of his close connection to the city, as the leather jacket is an expensive piece of clothing not many people can afford on the island, further portraying Yasuo’s show-off nature. The adjective “glistening” describing his jacket emphasises how Yasuo stands out from the rest of the islanders, indicating how his time in the city distanced him from the traditions of Uta Jima.

Question 3

westernization-
‘Proud and

Answer 3

‘Proud and bragging owner of a watch with a luminous dial’

-The adjective ‘proud’ and the verb ‘bragging’’ illustrate Yasuo’s egoistical and proud nature. Alongside this, the watch that Yasuo wears is a symbol of his connection to the city and lack of connection with the natural world, an illustration of how materialistic Yasuo is.

Question 4

westernisation -
Yasuo was hopelessly

Answer 4

Yasuo was hopelessly addicted to the pulp magazines, which came from the city, with their frequent confessions of girls who have been ‘seduced’”-

use of the world ‘ hopelessly’ emphasies how strong his addiction is . Yasuo is drwan to this sexual content

Question 5

materialism- “Yasuo was the

Answer 5

“Yasuo was the proud and always bragging owner of a watch with a luminous dial”

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The adjective ‘proud’ and the verb ‘bragging’’ illustrate Yasuo’s egoistical and proud nature. Alongside this, the watch that Yasuo wears is a symbol of his connection to the city and lack of connection with the natural world, an illustration of how materialistic Yasuo is.

Question 6

materialism- All the time the luminous

Answer 6

All the time the luminous watch […],was giving off its phosphorescent glow”

Question 7

materliasm- “He stood there laughing,

Answer 7

“He stood there laughing, his leather jacket glistening in the sun”

The use of the word “glistening” suggests that the leather jacket is reflecting the sunlight in a way that makes it stand out and catch the eye. This detail adds to the overall impression of Yasup as someone who is confident and arrogant

Question 8

disrespectful/self imposed superiority- ‘Sorry to be late…’

Answer 8

‘Sorry to be late…’-

The dramatic irony here shows that he is purposely late and not actually sorry. This introduction of Yasuo shows his cunning and deceptive nature, and how rude he thinks he is allowed to act because of his status.

Question 9

disrespectful/self imposed superiority- Young as he was, he

Answer 9

Young as he was, he already knew the secret to giving himself importance, and he always came late to their meetings”

Question 10

disrespectful/self imposed superiority-
he came in

Answer 10

he came in with a bang