Character Analysis in Kafka on the Shore

Each of the three characters discussed-- Hoshino, Nakata, and Kafka-- undergo dramatic transformations throughout the novel. All of them learned considerably from the people they encounter. In fact, none of them would have been able to go on their respective paths if not for 'a little help from their friends.' Some major themes at work here include friendship, loyalty, respect, the relevance of great literary works, fate, past relationships and events, and a sense of personal duty.

Honshino meets Nakata at a coffee rest stop and is intrigued by this man who speaks in such an odd way. He offers to give him a ride; thus, their journey together begins. At first Honshino takes pity on Nakata because he reminds him of his deceased grandfather but he very soon becomes enthralled with him and agrees to stay with him until he accomplishes everything he needs to do. Never once does he belittle Nakata or question his motives. Essentially quitting his job and driving all across the country with a stranger may seem impulsive and dumb, yet Honshino feels a sense of loyalty to Nakata and does not leave his side even when he confesses that he killed somebody and the police are after both of them. He says to Nakata: "If you're going to take the poison, you might as well eat the plate" (p.347). If not for Honshino, Nakata never would have been able to find the stone and set about the sequence of events that transpired. Yet Honshino is also extremely grateful to Nakata for giving him a completely new outlook on life. He realizes that he has squandered away his time and develops a new appreciation for fine arts, and vows to live life in a way that would make Nakata approve. One of the last things he says to Nakata is :"That's why I stayed with you through thick and thin, why I couldn't leave you. It's been one of the most meaningful times I've ever had in my life. So there's no need for you to be thanking me-- I should be thanking you" (p.407)

Nakata may not be capable of the type of self-reflection that Honshino and Kafka are, yet he still learns things about himself and begins to make valuable connections as the story progresses. Witnessing 'Johnnie Walker's' sadistic torture of cats caused something in him to snap and he killed the man. Nakata knows that despite the circumstances what he did was wrong and turns himself into the police. Had the officer taken him seriously, he would have been arrested on the spot, and never had the chance to get to the stone. This is one of many examples of fate. Also, once Nakata meets Honshino, he experiences a true friend for the first time. Honshino is patient and kind, explains things to Nakata, and helps him tremendously without a single complaint. Nakata realizes that is life is "like a library with no books" and "wants the old Nakata back." "Do you know what it means to be completely empty?" he asks Hoshino. He begins to have more confidence in himself and follow his intuition. Perhaps most striking about Nakata is that he cannot die in peace until he has finished the task before him.

Kafka, the youngest and the wisest, never crosses paths with Hoshino and Nakata. However, he is very much connected to their story because 'Johnnie Walker' is his father. He runs away from home to escape a distant and cruel dad and the memories of a mother and sister who abandoned him. Although he is only 15 he is wise beyond his years, and his voracious appetite for reading only add to his intelligence. Two people, Sakura and Oshima, become instrumental in helping Kafka along the way. Without their loyalty and kindness it is almost certain he would be in jail. Oshima allows him to live and work in the library, which is the perfect place for him to increase his literary skills. Furthermore, he begins to connect the dots about his past and discover that his lover-- Miss Saeki-- may indeed be his mother, just as his father predicted. He has a chance to go to another world and be with his lover forever but he decides to come back to reality and face the police. Of all the memorable and quotes said by Kafka, the last line of the book summarizes it the best: "You are a part of a brand new world" (p.467)

WORKS CITED.

Haruki Murakami. Kafka on the Shore. 2005.