| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
1997 |
| |
gbctrans.com |
In this essay, I will be examining the principal symbols
and themes in two of Murakami's "Hard Boiled" novels,
A Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance. First, I will give
a definition of alienation, which is a recurring theme throughout
much of his corpus.
|
|
| |
I will then give a brief overview of some of Murakami's
works, examining his style, and describing the protagonist.
The main part of the essay will examine in detail the novels
chosen from four different angles; firstly that of important
symbols in the works, secondly, the role of death, thirdly,
the impact and influence of foreign culture on his protagonist's
value systems, actions, and way of life, and fourthly, Murakami's
unique use of the Japanese language.
|
As much of Murakami's work is based around the themes of
alienation, in particular those of rootlessness, powerlessness
and estrangement, I will now examine a few of their definitions.
|
|
| |
One source considers alienation to be "Estrangement
from other people, society, or work... a blocking or dissociation
of a person's feelings, causing the individual to become less
effective. The focus here is on the person's problems in adjusting
to society. However, some philosophers believe that alienation
is inevitably produced by a shallow and depersonalised society."
|
1 Also, from a sociological viewpoint: "Émile
Durkheim's anomie, or rootlessness, stemmed from loss of societal
and religious tradition..." "...according to Heidegger,
mankind has fallen into crisis by taking a narrow, technological
approach to the world and by ignoring the larger question
of existence."
|
|
| |
continue reading at |
| |
http://gbctrans.com/essay/essay.html |
|
|
|
