Have you finished the book or is this just wishful thinking? I don't believe that the character really changes very much. He doesn't gain more excitement or interest in life, but he does identify his flaws and decide what things are most important to him.
That's a really vague comment, but I don't really feel we can discuss this because most people aren't done with the book.
I can't say that I agree that I agree with you. What if you can't find anything that's important to you or what if it goes away? Should you just end it at that point?
I can't begin to understand what the exact meaning of the ending is. I don't feel that he really identified a purpose, but I suppose one could argue that he does fulfill a certain duty.
I'm really struggling with this question though because I'm pretty sure that nobody else is done with the book.
I really don't think he gets much out of this thing, really. We're making this too much about the character when it's about the big scheme verses just this unnamed character. How in depth can he be discussed??
I don't think he changed really and I also don't think that was the focus of the book. Also I cannot really understand Murakami's point. He is not my usual style of books and he seems to drift from the usual. After being thus confused I can still say that there is no change.
That's a good point Olivia. I think that this book is portraying a man's journey through his emotions which all help him to find his true self. I haven't finished the book yet, so I can't say if that is what really happens, but that seems to be the direction where things are going.
I think that the journey makes you think something big will happen. The ending though leads you to believe that he will have an easier life but still be the same person. I imagine that after the ending he just stops working and gets some money from the company while he lives in some apartment or house peacefully.
I haven't finished the book yet, but I would definetly agree that the wild sheep chase makes you think that something big will happen. I am just waiting for the chapter when his attitude will change and he will become a reformed man...but from what I've heard, this doesn't happen.
I think we're trained to think that something big is always going to happen, and Murakami shows us that there may not be a huge climax to this story. There are different kinds of stories, and maybe this too is what makes this Japanese author authentic. The focus is not beginning to end, it's everything throughout.
That's an interesting thought about the Japanese literature. That's probably why we've been unable to find a climax and a point to the novel. It'd be interesting to see if other Japanese author's novels are the same way.
There are also two prequels and a sequel to this book, I think. This could be another reason why there's not a typical big climax in the book. I have no idea what is in those other books or how related they are to this book, but just putting that out there...
I agree with Hannah. We are focusing too much on a character that isn't even given a name. I know that the big picture is supposed to be the important part of this book, but either I am missing something or the story itself doesn't have a big plot.
Have you finished the book or is this just wishful thinking? I don't believe that the character really changes very much. He doesn't gain more excitement or interest in life, but he does identify his flaws and decide what things are most important to him.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really vague comment, but I don't really feel we can discuss this because most people aren't done with the book.
Isn't that the point of life though? To find out what's important. This is what the book is portraying, right?
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I agree that I agree with you. What if you can't find anything that's important to you or what if it goes away? Should you just end it at that point?
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to understand what the exact meaning of the ending is. I don't feel that he really identified a purpose, but I suppose one could argue that he does fulfill a certain duty.
I'm really struggling with this question though because I'm pretty sure that nobody else is done with the book.
I really don't think he gets much out of this thing, really. We're making this too much about the character when it's about the big scheme verses just this unnamed character. How in depth can he be discussed??
ReplyDeleteI don't think he changed really and I also don't think that was the focus of the book. Also I cannot really understand Murakami's point. He is not my usual style of books and he seems to drift from the usual. After being thus confused I can still say that there is no change.
ReplyDeleteThe main character seems to develop a better sense of himself as he experiences the wild sheep chase.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point Olivia. I think that this book is portraying a man's journey through his emotions which all help him to find his true self. I haven't finished the book yet, so I can't say if that is what really happens, but that seems to be the direction where things are going.
ReplyDeleteI think that the journey makes you think something big will happen. The ending though leads you to believe that he will have an easier life but still be the same person. I imagine that after the ending he just stops working and gets some money from the company while he lives in some apartment or house peacefully.
ReplyDeleteI haven't finished the book yet, but I would definetly agree that the wild sheep chase makes you think that something big will happen. I am just waiting for the chapter when his attitude will change and he will become a reformed man...but from what I've heard, this doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteI think we're trained to think that something big is always going to happen, and Murakami shows us that there may not be a huge climax to this story. There are different kinds of stories, and maybe this too is what makes this Japanese author authentic. The focus is not beginning to end, it's everything throughout.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting thought about the Japanese literature. That's probably why we've been unable to find a climax and a point to the novel. It'd be interesting to see if other Japanese author's novels are the same way.
ReplyDeleteThere are also two prequels and a sequel to this book, I think. This could be another reason why there's not a typical big climax in the book. I have no idea what is in those other books or how related they are to this book, but just putting that out there...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hannah. We are focusing too much on a character that isn't even given a name. I know that the big picture is supposed to be the important part of this book, but either I am missing something or the story itself doesn't have a big plot.
ReplyDelete