Final answer:
The question relates to a literary device where a character's internal state is symbolized by a physical object, such as a ball bearing. It ties into themes of justice, prejudice and personal belief systems, serving as a narrative tool to illustrate psychological depth and complexity within literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "For example is conviction that he is being persecuted is externalized through the ball bearing that he carries in his pocket." indicates a psychological or symbolic representation of a character's internal state in literature. Such manifestations often serve to provide insight into a character's mental state, beliefs, or personal values. Literary devices like symbolism and motifs are leveraged by authors to portray abstract concepts such as justice, prejudice, and tyranny, to explore existential themes and the profound effects of experience on personal beliefs.
In the provided excerpts, there are recurring themes that deal with the conflict between an individual's beliefs and external forces such as law and societal norms. One's personal beliefs can significantly impact their attitudes and actions, as portrayed in the example of the man carrying a ball bearing. An individual could carry a physical object like a prayer wheel or ball bearing as an external representation or defense mechanism against the perceived injustice, prejudice, or existential crises they are experiencing, often illustrated in literature and philosophy.