Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami Analysis Essay

📌Category: Books
📌Words: 663
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 22 January 2022

There is an infinite number of reasons that children would runaway from home. The article “Runaways” produced by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection outlines a few of these reasons and the possible dangers of running away. “Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami follows the main character Kafka and his journey after he himself runs away from home. Many of the traits described in runaways coincides with Kafka’s situation. However, not all the reasons apply and therefore Kafka shares some of the reasons of running away as with a typical Canadian runaway.

Kafka is almost no different than a typical runaway. He is reported missing just days after he ran away and returns not long after. Although the book does not specify how long he was away his adventure was less than a year as the school year has not finished by the time he has returns. Kafka’s reasoning for running away in the first place is close to identical to a typical runaway. He had an increasingly difficult childhood along with unresolved trauma. His mom and sister left him, and he has “zero friends” (9). His inability to remember his moms face or how his family interacted together might be an example of dissociative amnesia.  The only remaining family member was his father who he had a very strained relationship with. When he proclaimed that Kafka would “kill [his] father and be with [his] mother and sister” (202). This omen was the reason Kafka left at the start. He wanted to avoid the disturbing and otherwise violent actions of his future. It is also assumed that his father is both violent and on the edge of sanity. Although Kafka’s family history rarely touched upon, Nakata’s violent interaction with Jonnie Walker, proves his instability. Even further Kafka is relieved when his father is killed, lacking empathy and remorse even though he killed him. He has virtually no emotional connection with his father. Kafka also yearned for some control over his life. His post ran away routine is a clear example of this desire. Everyday he got up and did almost the exact same thing. A routine he either relied on to give him a sense of normalcy or lacked entirely in his prior life. Kafka is a clear representative of a Canadian runaway. He has inquired many of the experiences and traits that comfortably place him in the category of runaway.

Kafka displayed a multitude of reasons listed in the article runaways. His disoriented family, and historical background are critical reasons Kafka felt the need to flee. However, Kafka’s personal issues do not coincide with what was written in “youth issues” portion of runaways. As far as readers are told he is not involved with, substance or mental issues, gangs, sexual orientation, foster care, relationships of any kind or academic issues prior to his departure from home. Although some of these topics appear later in the novel none of them made him choose to leave. His main reasons for leaving were his prophecy and his deranged father. His personal reasoning for leaving could literally not happen in our world. Also different from typical runaways who often fall into unfortunate circumstances, Kafka was almost lucky. He experienced more of an adventure and did not feel the need to worry while away. Kafka planned his departure; it was not a spur of the moment decision. As often seen with typical runaways who might have just recently had a fight with their parents and simply could not take it anymore. He was confident, prepared and never got caught. The violence that occurred as well as Kafka’s sexual assault on Sakura could be argued as a runaway’s tendency to be victimized, however, for Kafka that is not the case. Those things happened because of fate and otherworldly spirits. Not because of dominating figures taking advantage of him. 

Kafka is a runaway. Therefore, there must be similarities between him and a typical runaway because they both in fact, ran away. Kafka being in a world slightly different from ours produces situations and reasonings that would not typically find in the real world. Nobody is the same either so naturally differentiation occurs. Although Kafka’s strikingly similar background to typical runaways makes him share a great deal of traits. Almost making him a classic runaway.

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