Exploring cultural values through expressions of shame: an appraisal analysis of Japanese novels
Shame is not only viewed as an individual experience but also as a cultural phenomenon. In this regard, shame is perceived as an evaluative action because the shame experienced by an individual can be predicted through appraisals within the discourse influenced by their values. This research a...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2025
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/26277/1/Gema_Online_25_3_6.pdf http://journalarticle.ukm.my/26277/ https://ejournal.ukm.my/gema/issue/view/1852 |
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| Summary: | Shame is not only viewed as an individual experience but also as a cultural phenomenon. In this
regard, shame is perceived as an evaluative action because the shame experienced by an individual
can be predicted through appraisals within the discourse influenced by their values. This research
aims to explore Japanese cultural values reflected through expressions of shame. The data sources
are four novels by a young author, Rurika Suzuki. These novels represent the adolescent world in
Japan, as they are constructed from a teenager's perspective. Utilizing a qualitative methodology,
this study identifies the construction of social bonds from discourse containing expressions of shame
and explains the cultural values embedded within it by applying the concepts of haji no bunka 'shame
culture', appraisal theory, and affiliation theory. The findings indicate that the expressions of shame
reflect Japanese cultural values, including amae 'interdependence', shuudan ishiki 'group awareness',
sekentei 'reputation', and honne-tatemae 'true feelings-public presentation'. These cultural values are
interpreted through graduation, attitude, and ideation resources. This research concludes that the
shame experienced by adolescents can be both negative and positive. It is considered negative
when shame arises from concerns about negative judgments from others; it is viewed as positive
when shame emerges as a reaction to praise or as a form of politeness. The current study shows
that an analytical framework can be applied to conduct an in-depth analysis of the cultural values
that are discursively negotiated within discourse through appraisal analysis. |
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