Murakami’s ‘Kafka On The Shore’
Mohan Gulrajani
Journey Of The Self: Murakami’s ‘Kafka On The Shore’
Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore begins
with a bold act of a 15-year-old boy named Kafka Tamura who runs away from
home, determined to become the “strongest fifteen-year-old”. But
his journey is more than just a physical escape—it’s an emotional and
philosophical search for identity, purpose, and inner strength.
Along the way, many characters question his decision to leave, but Kafka holds firm in his belief that he needed to go. By the end of the novel, however, he begins to make his way back—not because he failed, but because he realizes that understanding and growth often mean facing what we tried to run from. Home, for him, becomes a place of reflection rather than destruction.
A standout feature of the novel is how Murakami tells two parallel stories: one of Kafka and the other of Satoru Nakata. Kafka is driven and seems to know what he’s looking for, even if his path is messy and full of emotional detours. Nakata, a man in his early sixties, lost much of his mental ability after a strange incident as a child. He now lives simply and sees himself as “empty,” yet he too finds himself on an unexpected journey. Though their lives seem unrelated at first, their paths reflect a deeper truth about life—it rarely goes as planned, and much of it is about learning to accept and navigate the unknown.
At its heart, Kafka on the Shore is about the conflicts that exist within us—the constant tug-of-war between our desires and our sense of reason. Murakami explores this through his characters, each dealing with personal struggles. Whether it’s the sudden anger of a teacher, the emotional void left by lost love, or the confusion surrounding one’s identity and desires, every character seems to be fighting an internal battle. Even Nakata, who appears detached, shows that he feels deeply when he takes a shocking action by killing Johnnie Walker. These emotional layers remind us that everyone, no matter how simple they seem, carries depth within.
Another powerful aspect of the book is how it blends literature, music, mythology, and surrealism. Murakami references everything from classical compositions and ancient Greek tragedies to Japanese folklore and dreamlike sequences. These elements aren’t just decorative—they help shape the story and invite readers to think on multiple levels. The novel becomes less about a straightforward plot and more about interpreting meaning and discovering personal truths.
Animals, especially cats, play a unique
role in the story. Nakata’s special ability to talk to cats adds a mysterious,
magical layer to the narrative. While it’s not completely clear what the cats
represent, they seem to act as guides between the real and the spiritual world.
This gift eventually passes to Hoshino, another character who evolves
significantly by the end. Kafka’s name itself—meaning “crow” in Czech—is
symbolic, as a crow frequently appears to protect and guide him, almost like
his shadow or inner voice. Murakami uses animals to blur the line between the
physical world and the world of intuition and spirit.
One subtle but important theme in the novel is the lasting impact of war. Nakata’s childhood trauma, which began during a school trip when he and his classmates suddenly collapsed, is never fully explained. But this moment seems to have shifted him into a different state of being—one where he loses some mental function but gains a kind of spiritual sensitivity. Murakami often contrasts Japan’s quiet, introspective nature with a more negative and aggressive image of America, possibly reflecting the post-war identity crisis Japan still wrestles with.
That said, the novel isn’t without its challenges. For example, Kafka’s time spent lost in the forest can feel heavy and drawn out. Murakami dives deep into Kafka’s thoughts and emotional turmoil, and while this adds depth, it can also feel repetitive or overwhelming at times. These slower sections may test the reader’s patience, but they’re essential to understanding Kafka’s transformation and inner journey.
In the end, Kafka on the Shore is a novel full of mystery, symbolism, and emotional depth. It doesn’t offer easy answers, and many parts of the story remain deliberately ambiguous. But that’s part of its beauty. It’s a book that asks readers to slow down, reflect, and perhaps return to it again with new eyes. Each reading reveals something different, making it a rich, haunting, and unforgettable experience.
This post has been self-published. Youth Ki Awaaz neither endorses, nor is responsible for the views expressed by the author.
Written by Sanskriti Pandey
Professor (Dr.) M. L. Gulrajani F.S.D.C. (UK)
Former Professor and Dean (I.R&D), IIT Delhi
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