Language

Next, we will focus on the language of the short story “Monster in a Ryokan” by Mary Roach.

Humor and irony

As you have seen, the story is mostly based on the contrast between the East and the West, between Japan and America. The way the narrator depicts American hotels is not only ironic about the excessive demands of Americans but also amusing:

In America, a single-occupancy room must contain a bed (…) large enough to accommodate lumberjacks and NBA centers lying spread-eagle in any direction. Though guests will be leaving their belongings strewn about the bed and the floor, there must be a dresser, a desk, and a closet the size of Maine. (p. 147, ll. 9-13)

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Metaphors

Besides irony, the author also employs metaphors in the short story. The most important metaphor is that of the monster, which suggests that the narrator acts inadequately and is accidentally offensive in a Japanese ryokan, as she does not know the customs of the place.

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Imagery and references

Imagery is present throughout the story and its role is to make readers visualize the way in which the ryokan functions. For example, the following quotation contains imagery related to the way the sleeping room is arranged: “Someone had spread bedding out all over the floor, which...

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