The Human Nature (Part one)

In The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’s second book, there is more and more ‘analysis’ of the human nature. It appears that a major bulk of the characters have a sort of supernatural power. To begin with, there is Malta Kano. Malta is able to predict events, and knows things. Although most fortunetellers pretend this is exactly what they know, they are obviously lying; however this is different for Malta. She genuinely knows certain facts and can predict events that are about so happen. Creta Kano, her sister, as a kid, was always in excruciating pain. Although this may not be called a supernatural power, it is something supernatural; this pain that she endured as a kid is not something that most, if not any, children are forced to experience. The next two character’s supernatural ‘powers’ are not as clear or unique as the previous ones, but still are put forth, by the author, as an odd supernatural characteristic. Kumiko appears to be able to tell when (and if) her husband was lying to her. In fact, Toru mentions that, “Her sensitivity to such things was frightening.” (103) Finally, Toru mentioned earlier that he had the ability to control and even ignore his emotions. The fact that Haruki Murakami created his characters this way, with certain unique features suggests that he is, in one way, analyzing the human nature, and in particular those things that we cannot control about ourselves. Additionally, through Kumiko’s dialogue with Toru about Noburu, we are shown the authors point of view as he suggests that he believes that, “we all have psychological problems to some extent.” (125)