Because the book is through the main character's point of view, many things that may normally have been exciting, or at least not completely boring, are portrayed with the dispassion of the character. This does, however, make the exciting events seem even more exciting.
Um, possibly the supernatural body-snatching sheep? I highly disagree that the entire point of all books is the main character. That may be true for some, but I'd say this one is about a lot more than the main character.
I agree that there's so much more to this book than the main character. Then again, I don't mind analyzing the main character. Even though there's not always a lot to analyze, he is the main character and obviously an important part of the book.
I really think it's the reaction of every person to over-study the text. Maybe this guy truly is just a means to tell us the story and nothing more than that. His insight leads us to what is truly occurring.
I think that the character's "boring" personality actually makes this book more intriguing because most authors attempt to make their characters extremely indepth, but Murakami just wants to write about an ordinary man and his life.
I think his blandness makes us wonder why he is the main character. Why is his life interesting when he is so boring? I think it might give people hope that although they might be boring they could have an adventure in their life that would not change it greatly.
I agree with Irini's comment that this book might give hope to boring people who are searching for something more in their life. I also find it interesting that we all keep using words like "mediocre" and "boring", because what really defines a person as "boring"? Don't we all have our own personal definitions of what constistutes a blah sort of person?
I guess what makes me think he is boring is the lack of excitement in his life, and his lack of desire for a more exciting life. But I guess the title of "boring" is always debatable. In this case, however, I don't think it's very contested that he is boring.
Does he have no desire for a more exciting life, or just no motivation? What do we truly recieve from a more exciting life? I know plenty of people that would choose a more stable, relaxing lifestyle, and we're using boring as a negative statement, but in reality it's just his way of living. Nothing wrong with that. It really calls us to focus on the other details of the story.
The main character's blandness makes the interesting events that happen to him especially remarkable.
ReplyDeleteThe way in which he presents the opening of the book contrasts sharply with the supernatural nature of the events that come.
Because the book is through the main character's point of view, many things that may normally have been exciting, or at least not completely boring, are portrayed with the dispassion of the character. This does, however, make the exciting events seem even more exciting.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think were kind of overanalyzing this main character though? There really isn't that much to say about him.
ReplyDeleteWhat else are we supposed to analyze? If we're not supposed to pay attention to the main character, then what's the whole point of the book?
ReplyDeleteUm, possibly the supernatural body-snatching sheep? I highly disagree that the entire point of all books is the main character. That may be true for some, but I'd say this one is about a lot more than the main character.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there's so much more to this book than the main character. Then again, I don't mind analyzing the main character. Even though there's not always a lot to analyze, he is the main character and obviously an important part of the book.
ReplyDeleteI really think it's the reaction of every person to over-study the text. Maybe this guy truly is just a means to tell us the story and nothing more than that. His insight leads us to what is truly occurring.
ReplyDeleteI think that the character's "boring" personality actually makes this book more intriguing because most authors attempt to make their characters extremely indepth, but Murakami just wants to write about an ordinary man and his life.
ReplyDeleteI think his blandness makes us wonder why he is the main character. Why is his life interesting when he is so boring? I think it might give people hope that although they might be boring they could have an adventure in their life that would not change it greatly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Irini's comment that this book might give hope to boring people who are searching for something more in their life. I also find it interesting that we all keep using words like "mediocre" and "boring", because what really defines a person as "boring"? Don't we all have our own personal definitions of what constistutes a blah sort of person?
ReplyDeleteI guess what makes me think he is boring is the lack of excitement in his life, and his lack of desire for a more exciting life. But I guess the title of "boring" is always debatable. In this case, however, I don't think it's very contested that he is boring.
ReplyDeleteDoes he have no desire for a more exciting life, or just no motivation? What do we truly recieve from a more exciting life? I know plenty of people that would choose a more stable, relaxing lifestyle, and we're using boring as a negative statement, but in reality it's just his way of living. Nothing wrong with that. It really calls us to focus on the other details of the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Shall we analyze something else then? Then again this book doesn't really have much to offer...
ReplyDelete