Kafka on the Shore Analysis Essay

How does Murakami seeks the idea of identity in the smart Kafka on the shoring? It is challenging to convey what defines someones identity, who we atomic number 18, what we do, but most all- valuable(prenominal)ly what we think. Its interior our heads, in our unconscious mindness when we genuinelyly allow ourselves to contemplate on our true identity. When it comes to literature, fountains explore their characters true selves differently dep cobblers lasting on the role they urinate. In the raw Kafka on the shore Murakami practises some(prenominal) unusual resources in his novel such as substructures and intertextuality in order to explore the concept of identity within his make-up. The cause through the presentation of the relationship in the midst of dreams and reality and the concept of wad contact lensed to the notion of lack of picture reveals the true self by inquiring into the inner darkness of the record of his characters. He explores the unconsciou s side of an individual, which in his writing has a substantive impact on the building of their fate implicitly blurring the boundary of vastness between thought and action.Also acknowledging dreams as the only moment when our human beings condition allows people to be completely honest with ourselves. The following exposition in order to explore the concept of identity in Murakamis work will focus on the passage of Miss Saekis and Kafkas coition, chapter 29. The conception of dreams vs. reality in the novel plays a major(ip) role due to the fact that what the author wants is to make dreams as important as reality or tied(p) more so, given that it is when his characters atomic number 18 their true selves.Therefore this relationship is experienced by his audience in accuracy deeply, at first introducing the subject in a way anyone could subsume to it but as the novel advances, the theme is developed to a take aim far beyond everyday life, nevertheless it is workable to get to an taking into custody of it. The geographical context of Japan in the novel aids this entry of magical realism to the writing of Murakami. Concerning the cultural and religious aspects, Japanese club has a big flexibility on them, they apply a portmanteau word of several religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, boundaries are broken and people are publish to live their own interpretation of their religiousity.Moreover, religion defines Japanese identity more than touchuality its a way of living and thinking. such(prenominal) freedom and individuality of thought is what enables the evets in the novel to be conceivable, what allows the author to distort dreams and reality, and whats real over against whats possible. Furthermore the inception of that continuous tense Japanese way of thinking empowers the reader to make a free interpretation of whats going on in the novel, acknowledging that being twisty in the postmodernist movement on that point is never an absolute truth to it. Murakami plays with the readers mind as they are certainly expecting to find absolute answers and end up being more confused trying to desire for them. In the specific extract of Miss Saekis and Kafkas intercourse she is fulfilling her unconscious desire of remaindering with him. In fact the scene itself is presented in a way in which as readers we are not sure whether it is actually happening or not.The author uses a mesmeric tone and changes the news report voice to third person to create a dream exchangeable atmosphere Before you know it, her dream has wrapped itself around your mind. Gently, warmly, handle amniotic fluid. In this quote the use of the third person is manifest and the expression wrapped around your mind is what produces the mesmerizing tone as Kafka is clearly absorbed by this dream that has become a calve of reality. Its a very graphic scene in which the main(prenominal) character experiences the blurring of genuineness against h is dreams yet you cant locate the mete separating dream and reality. Or even the boundary between whats real and whats possible. All youre sure of is that youre in a delicate position. In this scene Kafka is unable to visualize himself even when he knows that what he is doing is not right. Moreover, the fact that Miss Saeki accomplished her subconscious mind wish during her slumber is reassured when she decides to embrace her desire and repeat the intercourse with Kafka in one of the following chapters.Another significant way, in which this theme is carry ond to the character of Miss Saeki and her identity revealing through her unconsciousness, is the spiritual forcing out of her fifteen year old self that Kafka sees at night. It is possible to interpret that she projects herself this way during her sleep due to the fact that she is stuck in her distant, happier past. uncover that what she truly wishes is to be back when she was 15 and reunite with her lover, which could be wherefore she presents herself to Kafka, given that the resemblance between both could be interpreted as if he werent only her son, but the metempsychosis of her lover. Then again what allows the reader to make these assumptions is the religious context of japan given that reincarnation is a part of some peoples believes. For this particular element of the spiritual projection Murakami uses intertextuality to relate the events in the novel and clarify his perception on the subject. He deliberately makes a reference to the tale of Genjy. In this tale wench Rojuko fulfils her dark unconscious desires through her dreams by becoming a spirit without taking notice of it, just like Miss Saeki does.The important link between both events is that both characters could only carry out their desires during their sleep while they are their true selves. Miss Saeki is only able to seek the intercourse with Kafka while she is theoretically sleeping. Another parallel with the tale is when Nakata takes the attitude of Kafka and stabs his own father, eventually carrying unconsciously the course he was meant to. peradventure this suggests that there is inner darkness in everyone and that dreams are the perfect moment to explore the darkness within our true selves the world of grotesque is the darkness within us Regarding the conception of destiny and the theme of lack of control in the novel, these are factors that as well enable the exploration of identity in Murakamis characters. Fate is perhaps one of the most significant elements of the novel developing throughout all of it. It is essentially presented as inevitable, the author foreshadows from the rise whats going to happen with his main character.The reason why destiny is a factor beyond the individuals control is because the author wants to state it isnt only an uncontrollable force driving them. Its an actual part of who they are, an inner force, part of their human condition sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm this storm is you. Something inside of you. So all you can do is give into it. Therefore thusly destiny is identity, Kafka is omened that he will eventually kill his father and sleep with his receive, but this doesnt happen due to fatality or chance, it happens because it is unconsciously what he wants and thus what he is. This is proven when further on in the novel he accepts his judgment of conviction he embraces it, his love for his own mother and the death of his father. Nevertheless he doesnt carry out his curse completely aware(p) that he is doing it, but in thought he actually wishes to do so, which is why it happens. This suggests that thought is indeed as important as actions, or even more so, as they are our subtle intentions.Therefore this could be interpreted as a factor touching the characters karma as Shinto religion suggests and thus having an impact on their destiny. On the other hand, control is presented as something the characters lack, and when its linked t o destiny therefore to identity what Murakami expresses is that they are not able to control who they are, what they want. This is shown in several ways for example something as simple as sex, Kafka finds himself unable to control his desire of sleeping with unconscious Miss Saeki although he is well aware that he is acting wrong. I figure Id give away wake her up. Shes making a big mistake, and I have to let her know. This isnt a dreamits real life. But everythings happening so fast, and I dont have the strength to tolerate In this way the reader can relate to the experience of the main character of not being able to resist what he deeply wants.To sum up, Kafka on the shore is a novel that is indeed charged with deep and complicated themes, metaphorically exploring several elements close human life and identity. Nevertheless Murakami manages to introduce such complexity in a way that the reader is able to understand and interpret his writing using resources such as intertextuali ty to clarify his take on the subject, or at least the reader is able to suggest he does. With the use of destiny, control and dreams vs. reality the author makes an interesting approach towards the exploration of identity stating that our thoughts are as much part of who we are as our actions, and even a more important part of our selves. Additionally he gives a vast importance to dreams, as they are the reflection of our minds, our true fears and desires. Perhaps he is stating that life should be much more like a dream, and in a way criticizing the conception of reality.