MacGregor uses musical lyrics as an outside source in the excerpt from "Hokusai's The Great Wave," highlighting Japan's isolation in contrast to global activity in the early 19th century. The lyrical structure enhances the narrative's emotional impact. Ultimately, it illustrates Japan's socio-cultural stagnation during a time of significant global change.
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The excerpt emphasizes Japan's isolation in the early 19th century while contrasting it with global activity. MacGregor draws from musical lyrics to illustrate this theme. The use of lyrical structure enhances the emotional weight of the narrative. ;