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This study examines the depiction of nature in Tim Lebbon's Eden through the lens of fear as a genre element. Drawing on various theories and ecological perspectives, it reconsiders the relationship between humans and nature (non-humans). Eden is a horror novel that portrays nature as a vengeful and horrific force that attacks humans. Ecohorror narratives like this offer insights into critically reflecting on the human-non-human relationship by reversing the traditional human-as-predator role. This extends to ecoprecarity, an intertwined set of discourses about precarious lives in the Anthropocene. The study argues that the nature humans conceive is often a reflection of their fantasies and explores the diverse ecological relationships humans have with nature. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, both within and across species, for collective survival amid planetary environmental crises. By interweaving diverse perspectives, such as the decadent sublime, hyperobjects, actor-network theory, and new animism, the study seeks to envision coexistence with non-humans in the posthuman era.

This paper analyzes mechanisms of power and their negative effects, focusing on Audre Lorde's Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, where black women are portrayed as outsiders. Lorde was shaped by multiple forms of discrimination including racism, sexism, and heterosexism within a dehumanizing social structure influenced by both biological and environmental factors. These issues are explained through the expansion of panopticism, initially proposed by Jeremy Bentham and later developed by Michel Foucault, beyond the prison system into everyday life. Power, through surveillance and punishment, suppresses individuals’ bodies and minds, maintaining social control and reinforcing its effects across networks, targeting the weak and marginalized. Lorde experienced racism from white women in the feminist movement, sexism from black men in the black movement, and homophobia from heterosexual individuals in black women's organizations. Paradoxically, the identity she forged through discrimination became a foundation for resisting oppression and engaging with intersectionality and feminism.

This paper examines how linguistic vulnerability fosters ethical hospitality in Six Degrees of Separation (1990) by John Guare. The play portrays acts of hospitality extended to “unrealized” others, embodying an unattainable ideal. At the same time, it dramatizes an ambiguous “in-between” space where boundaries dissolve, facilitating interdependence through shared human vulnerability. Rather than seeking completeness, the characters come to acknowledge their common vulnerability, bodily finitude, and existence within collective precarity. Although the protagonist, Paul speaks from the marginalized position of a vagrant, the play reconfigures his utterances as acts of agency, illustrating the transformative power of linguistic vulnerability. This paper explores how linguistic vulnerability generates unconditional hospitality, enables “unchosen cohabitation,” and dismantles ethical boundaries. Drawing on Judith Butler's ethics of alterity and politics of precarity, this study argues that encounters with vulnerable others necessitate relational engagement and compel self-recognition, which, in turn, position others as essential to the formation of ethical subjectivity.

This study reexamines the virtual/fictional world created by John Fowles (1926-2005) in The Magus. The world in The Magus serves various roles and reflects the author's thoughts. Fowles, an English novelist in the late twentieth century, incorporated the essence of the virtual world into his novels by verifying the originality and experimental nature of his thoughts and forms. Fowles and tendencies in his works challenge readers to question the essence of existence and the boundaries between reality and fantasy. The core concepts and the symbols of the virtual world in Fowles's literary thought;‘Mystery philosophy’ and ‘Godgame’. The Magus immerses readers in a Labyrinthine game orchestrated by the enigmatic Conchis. The protagonist, Nicholas, becomes entangled in a series of psychological and physical trials that blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Fowles's technique offers a fragmented and interactive experience that blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction. Furthermore, Fowles's exploration of virtuality extends to his portrayal of characters who grapple with their identities and the roles imposed upon them by society. Nicholas confronts existential dilemmas, questioning the authenticity of his desires and the extent to which his actions are determined by external forces or internal volition. This introspective journey reflects the experience of navigating virtual spaces, where individuals can experiment with different personas and explore alternative facets of their identity. By challenging traditional storytelling conventions and delving into complex philosophical questions, Fowles creates a literary space that mirrors the multifaceted nature of virtual reality. His works encourage readers to reflect on the essence of existence, the construction of identity, and the fluid boundaries between reality and fiction. Analyzing Fowles's messages in The Magus can provide a convergent new perspective, proving the need for humanity to find values and meaningful purposes in life in the twenty-first century.

Pearl S. Buck, an American Nobel Prize-winning writer, has a strong bond with Japan and has written numerous works on the subject. In The Big Wave, Buck presents a vivid portrayal of the trauma that follows a tsunami and its long-lasting effects on individuals. This paper analyzes how the Japanese boy Jiya recovered from his trauma and analyzes the reasons for his resilience. According to Judith Herman, trauma recovery has three stages. Jiya goes through all three and finally recovers. Buck thinks highly of the love from Jiya's friend Kino and his family. Without their care and love, Jiya could not have conquered his fear and gone back to normal life. Philosophy of death also inspires him to face danger without fear, and encourages acceptance of life's impermanence. This philosophy, combined with the nurturing environment provided by Kino's family, enables Jiya to rebuild his life and find new purpose. The novel not only provides a poignant narrative of personal recovery but also offers valuable insights into the broader human experience of trauma and resilience. Buck's writings on the Japanese people also present Asian people to the world, so that East and West can better understand each other and promote their mutual exchange.

This study confirms the effect of high school students’ digital literacy competence on their intention to use EduTech in AI-based learning environments, with a particular focus on the mediating role of self-directed learning competence, as emphasized in the 2022 revised curriculum. Data from 308 vocational high school students were analyzed using statistical methods, including Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping. Results indicate significant positive correlations among digital literacy, self-directed learning competence, and the intention to adopt EduTech. The study emphasizes the significant role of self-directed learning competence as a mediating factor in the relationship between digital literacy competence and the intention to adopt EduTech. The findings suggest that fostering self-directed learning is crucial for enhancing students’ adaptability and effective use of technology in AI-based learning environments.

This study attempted to discover aspects of learners’ perceptions of and motivation for Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) learning, which has been established as a graduation requirement at a university in Busan, and to thereby obtain insights into operating effective TOEIC classes. A survey was conducted on 86 university students, and the results of collecting and analyzing data on learner perception and learning motivation are as follows. First, learners’ perceptions of the TOEIC showed that they have a stricter evaluation for their own learning, and the sub-section showing the lowest mean score was learning strategy. Second, in the part on learners’ motivations, extrinsic motivation was higher than intrinsic motivation. Third, as a result of examining the relationship between learners’ perceptions of and learning motivation for the TOEIC and achievement, it was found that there was no significant relationship between learner perception and grade, and there was a a slight positive relationship between extrinsic motivation and achievement. Based on these results, educational implications are discussed.

This study explores the growth mindset and self-regulatory capacity of Korean college students during English vocabulary acquisition. It also identifies the relationships between these variables and the students’ lexical proficiency levels. A total of 193 students participated in the study and were classified into three groups based on their word knowledge: high-, medium-, and low- achieving learners. Four research instruments were used: a background questionnaire, the Growth Mindset Scale in Vocabulary Learning (GMSVL), the Self-Regulating Capacity in Vocabulary Learning (SRCvoc), and a vocabulary levels test. The results show that high-achieving learners exhibited significantly greater outcomes than the mediumand low-achieving learners in terms of commitment belief and positive self-talk on the GMSVL. Additionally, high achievers displayed significantly stronger outcomes than low achievers in terms of commitment control and metacognitive control on the SRCvoc. Significant associations were found among growth mindset, self-regulatory capacity, and vocabulary skills. Based on the results, the present study suggests adopting more supportive teaching methods and provides specific examples.