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Research Article
The Three Constructive Pathways of Children’s Self-Identity in Chinese Original Picture Books
Wang Jin*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
124-129
Received:
16 October 2025
Accepted:
26 October 2025
Published:
3 December 2025
Abstract: Self-identity, an essential and inescapable theme in children’s development, is frequently explored in original picture books. Although children’s “self-identity” is centered on the “self,” its construction, from a practical perspective, is not achieved by the self alone. This study, founded on a selective collation and curation of contemporary original Chinese picture books for children, identifies a number of influential works that engage the theme of “self-identity”. It aims to elucidate the real-world orientation of the “self-identity” question as manifested within China’s corpus of original picture books, and to examine the mechanisms by which the proposition of “self-identity” is enacted. By classifying these works, three distinct thematic propositions are distilled: the individual (self-) construction of self-identity, the social construction of self-identity, and the other-mediated construction of self-identity. Through close textual reading and comparative analysis, this paper demonstrates that whether arising from spontaneous personal reflection and the individual’s project of self-construction, from a sense of personal identification catalyzed by social recognition, or from self-identity elicited under the guidance of “others,” the series of picture books grouped under the rubric of “self-identity” uniformly seek to prompt young readers to contemplate the fundamental questions “Who am I?”, “Who do I aspire to become?”, and “By what means might I realize that aspiration?” These three pathways complement and illuminate one another, providing feasible approaches for children to achieve a coherent sense of self-identity.
Abstract: Self-identity, an essential and inescapable theme in children’s development, is frequently explored in original picture books. Although children’s “self-identity” is centered on the “self,” its construction, from a practical perspective, is not achieved by the self alone. This study, founded on a selective collation and curation of contemporary ori...
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Research Article
Poetic Archaism and Lyric Tradition in Ming Theories of Poetry: Readings on Zhou Xu, Xu Zhenqing and T’ang Shunzhi
Liu Zhiyi*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
130-138
Received:
22 October 2025
Accepted:
2 November 2025
Published:
3 December 2025
Abstract: Archaism stands as a prevailing literary ideology in the Ming Dynasty, famously proposed by the Former Seven Masters and later championed by the Latter Seven Masters. This movement established a formidable critical discourse, shaping much of the era's literary ecology. Conventionally, this archaist paradigm is positioned in stark opposition to the principles of the Gong-an School, which argued forcefully for the freedom of direct, authentic self-emotional expression in writing. This critical narrative has long posited a seemingly irreconcilable binary opposition between formal imitation and genuine lyricism. This article, however, challenges the rigidity of this established dualism. By examining several rarely scrutinized poetic theories from the Early, Middle, and Late Ming, this study uncovers nuanced perspectives beneath the mainstream paradigm that serve to deconstruct this binary. Through focused analyses of Zhou Xu’s Shi Xue Ti Hang, Xu Zhenqing’s Tan Yi Lu, and the theoretical writings of T’ang Shunzhi, this paper seeks to prove that poetic archaism in the Ming context was not fundamentally opposed to the core tenets of the lyric tradition. Instead, it demonstrates that archaism often operated within a profound intertextuality with lyricism, frequently functioning as a specific methodological or pedagogical pathway intended to recover and reinvigorate authentic poetic expression.
Abstract: Archaism stands as a prevailing literary ideology in the Ming Dynasty, famously proposed by the Former Seven Masters and later championed by the Latter Seven Masters. This movement established a formidable critical discourse, shaping much of the era's literary ecology. Conventionally, this archaist paradigm is positioned in stark opposition to the ...
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Research Article
The Impact of Technological Media on Narrative Structures in 21st-century Fiction
Kawsar Ahamed*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
139-146
Received:
5 July 2025
Accepted:
21 July 2025
Published:
9 December 2025
Abstract: This study examines the profound impact of technological media on narrative structures in 21st-century fiction. As digital technologies continue to redefine communication, interaction, and perception, contemporary literature has adapted by embracing non-linear storytelling, multimodal formats, and interactive elements that challenge traditional narrative conventions. Writers are increasingly exploring the influence of social media platforms, virtual reality experiences, and the pervasive presence of data-driven culture within their fiction, resulting in innovative approaches to narrative form, character development, and thematic exploration. This research focuses on the works of prominent authors such as Jennifer Egan, Dave Eggers, and Mark Z. Danielewski, whose fiction exemplifies the blending of digital culture with literary creativity. For instance, Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad employs fragmented timelines and PowerPoint slides as narrative devices, reflecting the disjointed yet interconnected realities shaped by digital media. Eggers’ The Circle critiques the omnipresence of social surveillance and the commodification of privacy in the internet age, while Danielewski’s House of Leaves and Only Revolutions experiment with textual architecture and hypertextuality, simulating the immersive and often disorienting experience of navigating digital spaces. By engaging with these examples, the study reveals how fiction not only reflects the anxieties and possibilities of the digital era but also functions as a critical commentary on technological transformations. Ultimately, this research underscores the transformative power of technology in shaping literary expression, positioning fiction as both a mirror to and a critique of the complexities of contemporary digital life.
Abstract: This study examines the profound impact of technological media on narrative structures in 21st-century fiction. As digital technologies continue to redefine communication, interaction, and perception, contemporary literature has adapted by embracing non-linear storytelling, multimodal formats, and interactive elements that challenge traditional nar...
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Research Article
Narrative Multiplicity as Ideological Deconstruction in George Fox’s Amok
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
139-153
Received:
17 September 2025
Accepted:
20 October 2025
Published:
9 December 2025
Abstract: Structuralist Narratology underscores theoretical and typological ideas and interests in narratives. Novelists employ various narrative modes to embellish their style of writing and captivate the attention of readers. They exemplify their power of creativity through narrative multiplicity. Interpretation of novels is closely associated with the special way in which a narrator uses language in texts. This paper examines the narrative language of George Fox’s Amok with focus on literary stylistics. The main objective of this paper is to explore and delineate George Fox’s narrative skills as a unique modern American novelist and how he applies narrative multiplicity in his novel, Amok. The literariness of this thriller cum novel lies in its structure and the effective use of language in describing events and analysing characters. The assertion that the novel’s capacity to represent plurality of voices or languages depends on the style of the novelist and his skill as an individual author undergirds this paper. Narratological concepts of Genette and Bal as guiding principles were essential reference points. Extracts from the novel served as primary data and the analytical procedure adopted was critical examination of textual content. Analysis identifies three forms of narrative multiplicity: mobile focalization, voice heteroglossia, and historical analepses and methodology that is, the application of Genette and Bal models to five excerpts from the novel, Amok. The study concludes that the interpretation and understanding of Amok are based on narratological features such as linguistic, figurative and semiotic representation exemplified by the novelist’s captivating style, his choice of words and the portrayal of the human-monster character.
Abstract: Structuralist Narratology underscores theoretical and typological ideas and interests in narratives. Novelists employ various narrative modes to embellish their style of writing and captivate the attention of readers. They exemplify their power of creativity through narrative multiplicity. Interpretation of novels is closely associated with the spe...
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Research Article
Hallyu (Korean Wave): Decoding the Soaring Popularity of South Korean Culture
Swathi Madhavan*,
Dhayalakrishnan Ramdoss
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
154-159
Received:
24 July 2025
Accepted:
6 August 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
Abstract: Popular culture is the set of practices, beliefs, and objects that embody the most broadly shared meanings of a social system and it appeals to people because it provides opportunities for both individual happiness and communal bonding. Culture is very important in the formation of certain group identities and technology becomes a tool in transforming cultural identity. South Korea has become the powerhouse of popular culture, especially in Asia. The Hallyu has huge effects on societies and people. The Korean Wave (Hallyu) refers to the global popularity of South Korea’s cultural economy exporting pop culture, entertainment, music, TV dramas, and movies. Korean pop popularly referred to as K-pop is a term that has been in use since the early years of the 21st century. South Korea is rising not only in the entertainment industry but also in all fields and begins to take a significant place in the world. Over the past few years, it has been observed that more and more Indian youth have been getting into Korean Pop Culture. From K-dramas, and K-pop to K-culture, no phenomenon has ever seen such mass fan participation, liking, and acceptance. Thus, this study aims to decode and understand what causes this undeniable affinity to cultural products of the Korean wave and to find the key reasons behind the popularity of Korean Pop Culture. It also examines the significant factors that entice people to pop culture.
Abstract: Popular culture is the set of practices, beliefs, and objects that embody the most broadly shared meanings of a social system and it appeals to people because it provides opportunities for both individual happiness and communal bonding. Culture is very important in the formation of certain group identities and technology becomes a tool in transform...
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Research Article
Effects of Picture Book Reading on Young Children’s Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Animals
Mayuko Kato-Shimizu,
Yuanmeng Liu,
Naoko Koda*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
160-167
Received:
28 October 2025
Accepted:
14 November 2025
Published:
17 December 2025
Abstract: Reading picture books to young children is expected to develop their cognition and imagination and contribute to the acquisition of their knowledge of and attitudes toward various things and phenomena. This study created a science picture book about guinea pigs and examined the effects of reading it on young children’s knowledge of and attitudes toward animals. Interviews were conducted with 81 five-year-old kindergarteners (47 boys and 34 girls) in pre- and post-reading sessions. Each child was asked about the physical characteristics and ecology of guinea pigs, proper care for them, and their attitudes toward guinea pigs and other animals. After reading, the children’s animal knowledge significantly improved, and more came to believe that all animals, including guinea pigs, had emotions. Regardless of the experience of keeping pets, the children deepened their knowledge and understanding of animals. Girls scored higher than boys in terms of knowledge of proper care. These findings suggest that picture books function effectively as a medium for developing knowledge of and empathic attitudes toward animals. Educators should focus more on knowledge of caregiving behaviors, especially for boys. Children can indirectly encounter animals through picture books, which foster their understanding of and empathy toward animals. Furthermore, the characteristics of guinea pigs as rodents appeared in the picture book, were considered to strengthen the effects on young children. These findings can contribute to the design of animal education programs that use picture books and educational materials for other animal species.
Abstract: Reading picture books to young children is expected to develop their cognition and imagination and contribute to the acquisition of their knowledge of and attitudes toward various things and phenomena. This study created a science picture book about guinea pigs and examined the effects of reading it on young children’s knowledge of and attitudes to...
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Review Article
Exploring Society Through Literature: A Study of Habila’s Oil on Water and Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood
Lassana Kanté*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
168-177
Received:
3 July 2025
Accepted:
14 July 2025
Published:
19 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijla.20251306.17
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Abstract: Colonialism has meaningfully participated in the change of many things in African world. Form social degradation to environmental change, African society remains politicized by new colonial settings. These settings are built through the colonial order and continue to impact African people’s lives. In Nigeria, like anywhere in Africa, social phenomena have changed with the effects of colonialism. The present paper explores “Literature” and “Society” as two foundational social and political figures in the exploration of human life. Buchi Emecheta and Helon Habila’s The Joys of Motherhood (1979) and Oil on Water (2010) are special works when talking about Women’s conditions and sociopolitical realities before, during, and after colonial rule. Through close reading and theories developed in relation to the most relevant themes in these two novels, we seek to explore women's conditions, the consequence of oil production, social change, and social struggle. The present work investigates the dynamic relationships between literature and society, examining how literary texts shape and are shaped by the social, political, and cultural conditions. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives from sociological literary criticism, this research paper underscores literature’s role as a mirror and a critique of societal structures, ideologies, and transformations. Helon Habila and Buchi Emecheta give two important representative images of African postcolonial society and politics. They develop in the selected novels African post-colonial social facts in relation to their social and political concerns, more precisely their country, Nigeria. Emecheta explores women conditions while Habila tries to analyze the effects of oil exploitation in postcolonial context. This review is an analysis of social representation of women’s conditions and oil production in Africa.
Abstract: Colonialism has meaningfully participated in the change of many things in African world. Form social degradation to environmental change, African society remains politicized by new colonial settings. These settings are built through the colonial order and continue to impact African people’s lives. In Nigeria, like anywhere in Africa, social phenome...
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Research Article
Symbolic and Didactic Appraisal of Lenrie Peters “The Panic of Growing Older”
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
178-184
Received:
16 October 2025
Accepted:
27 October 2025
Published:
19 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijla.20251306.18
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Abstract: This paper conveys a legitimate role of poetry to society. The introductory background conveys the role of poetry in society. The students' languages learning process for improvement of understanding and decoding of the symbiotic relationships of diction and literary art are made bare. It further portrays the importance and significance of poetry to students and society. The set objectives manifest a better scrutiny of poetry in unavailing the inner perimeters of poetry analysis; the use of appropriate diction, symbols and the moral lessons attached to poems and other literary art. Based on Barthes symbiotic theory, the paper digresses the connotative and denotative use of language in Lenrie Peters' poem 'The Panic of Growing Older'. Though the theory's major focus is on symbolism and didactive meaning of work of art, how best such diction and symbols can be helpful in the interpretation of a poem are brought to bear in the analysis and discussions in this paper. The analysis of the poem translates the serious stages of man's life on earth. The discussion does not only interpret what is indicated by the poet but relay them to the knowledge of the irreversible ageing features to set a tone for awareness and expected domain one finds himself or herself at that stage of life as described by the Lenrie Petters. Certainly, the paper gears towards the lessons shared in the poem to direct the upcoming youth on expectant challenges to be prepared for as on keeps growing which is inevitable. The brilliant use of diction to denote the intention of the poet is also discussed.
Abstract: This paper conveys a legitimate role of poetry to society. The introductory background conveys the role of poetry in society. The students' languages learning process for improvement of understanding and decoding of the symbiotic relationships of diction and literary art are made bare. It further portrays the importance and significance of poetry t...
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Research Article
Walking the Talk: Disserting the Controversies Between Literary Criticism, Literary Theory and Textual Interpretations and Analyses
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
185-194
Received:
1 March 2025
Accepted:
12 May 2025
Published:
20 December 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijla.20251306.19
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Views:
Abstract: After reading through a number of research works, journal articles, dissertations and theses, I realized that one of the greatest challenge faced by Post Graduate (PG) students in the department of English in the University of Buea, and some budding researchers is how to effectively, systematically, and appropriately use critical theories consistently in the analyses and interpretation of literary texts and research data. While some students get mixed up (and in some cases are completely confused) in differentiating between Literary Criticism and Literary Theory and how they can be appropriated in their research works, others just find it difficult to navigate between literary theory and textual analyses in the body of their research works. In most of the students’ research papers, long essays and theses, once a theory or theories are mentioned at the beginning of the research work, or at times in chapter one, they live and die at that level. From an eclectic theoretical perspective and drawing inspiration from the critical views of Benth Lindfors, Terry Eagleton, Bernard Fonlon, Chidi Amuta, Biodun Jeyifo, Louis Monstrose, Omafame F. Onoge, Roland Barthe, Pierre Micheray, Jacque Lancan amongst many others, this paper intends to orientate students and researchers on how to appropriately, scientifically, methodologically, and consistently use critical theories to navigate, in a logical manner, their interpretation and analyses of literary texts. This paper will equally use interviews to collect data that will enable us better understand how student make choices when it comes to selecting theories for textual interpretation and analysis. The analyses in this paper reveal that literary criticism, literary theory and textual interpretations and analyses must resonate in a symbiotic relationship when it comes to writing articles, dissertations and thesis. This paper validates Chidi Amuta’s claims that criticism must be guided by theory and theory, in turn, by philosophy and that in the absence of this chain of relationship, critics and researchers will display incoherence in their pronouncements on literature and culture.
Abstract: After reading through a number of research works, journal articles, dissertations and theses, I realized that one of the greatest challenge faced by Post Graduate (PG) students in the department of English in the University of Buea, and some budding researchers is how to effectively, systematically, and appropriately use critical theories consisten...
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