1. Kafka On the Shore is a novel about two men. A fifteen year-old boy named Kafka Tamura, who is dodging his fathers abusive ways, and Nakata who is much older and has the unique ability to communicate with cats. In the duration of the novel, the two are in Japan searching for an entrance to the spiritual realm.
2. The power and beauty of music is a central theme in the novel. This musical theme connects to the novel through Kafka playing music in order to communicate to others. Music is also used by him as a calming device and this gives him the ability to gather his thoughts in a more relaxed manner.
3. The novel displays a very soft and intimate tone. It provides a gentle and relaxed relaxed feeling while reading it. Music may also have something to do with the tone, because they both appear to offer relaxation and serenity.
4. The most dominant literary element in Kafka On the Shore is magical realism. This rarely used literary device is used to describe how Kafka is having sexual relationships with a ghostly woman. This "ghostly woman" ends up being his own mother who he has been searching for throughout the novel.
This is a good start. What is magical realism and how does this influence everything else in the book? Examples and textual analysis will help your readers see what you saw.
ReplyDeleteMagical realism is characterized by two conflicting perspectives, one based on a rational view of reality and the other on the acceptance of the supernatural as prosaic reality. Throughout the novel Kafka is living in reality but he accepts and is aware of the spiritual realm.
ReplyDelete