Final answer:
The author of 'Kobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War' uses conflict to develop the passage's theme. This approach echoes other works where conflict helps convey the author's message, such as reliance on knowledge in Twain's story. The Russo-Japanese War provides a backdrop for themes of power dynamics and industrialization's influence on global politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author of Kobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War develops the theme of the passage through the depiction of conflict that shapes the narrative and the characters' experiences.
As seen in other literary works, such as the Mark Twain excerpt provided, the presence of conflict can be a powerful narrative force that not only builds interest but also conveys the author's message to the reader. In Twain's case, the theme is about relying on one's knowledge and training rather than succumbing to doubt in the face of pressure.
Similarly, the Russo-Japanese War itself was a significant conflict where the emergence of Japan as a formidable power challenged existing world dynamics, with both direct effects, like military victories, and broader cultural impacts, such as challenging prevailing racial prejudices and promoting industrialization.
Through the Russo-Japanese War, the author might choose to explore various themes such as the underestimation of emerging powers, the transition from traditional to modern warfare, and the impact of industrialization on global politics in the early 20th century.
The war's significance in altering international perceptions of Japan and Asia, and its role in heralding a shift in colonial and military power dynamics, would likely influence the narrative and thematic development of the passage.