This novel is full of symbols, and so I felt that when the cat returned it was a "sign" perhaps that the interrupted flow was going to begin "flowing" again. The cat's disappearance was the first bizarre event that was discussed in the novel; it can be seen as the trigger of the chain of bizarre events that occurred after. Therefore, the fact that the cat returned, after a year, is once again a strange and inexplicable coincidence. Toru also chose to change the name of his pet which can also be interpreted as a transition in his life.
At the start of the novel, Murakami uses NW, the cat as a symbol to foreshadow the changing life of Turo. I agree with you when you state that the cat's disappearance was a trigger of the chain of bizarre events that occured afterwards. The cat's disappearance initiated the meeting with Malta Kano which led to several bizarre revelations about Kumiko and what would soon happen to Toru. When the cat returns, everything has changed in Toru's life. The fact that Murakami introduces the cat in the beginning of the book and brings him back towards the end, it portrays the significant events that have happened in between this strange and sudden disappearance. Murakami purposely changes the name of the cat to convey the essential change and transitions in Toru's life which are portrayed through the disappearances and reappearances of the NW, the cat.
ReplyDeleteSure, no doubt the cat was a sign, in specific, it *was* the flow that we were hearing about. It seems there is a 'flow' that is like a natural or perhaps a supernatural energy, but humans have to work collaboratively with this energy. As Mr Honda said in the beginning of the book, "When you're supposed to go up, find the highest tower and climb to the top. When you're supposed to go down, find the deepest well and go down to the bottom. When there's no flow, stay still. If you resist the flow, everything dries up. If everything dries up, the world in darkness."(51) At this period of time in the book, they've just recently lost their cat, a few chapters before. Kumiko calls Malta for help, which in turn phones Toru and they meet. She then tells him "'You live in a very strange place don't you, Mr. Okada?' 'I do?' I said. 'Strange in what way?' Instead of replying, she pushed her nearly untouched glass of tonic water another six or eight inches away from herself. 'Cats are very sensitive creature you know.'" Malta implicitly connecting the cat to this flowing power. Later she adds, "Perhaps the flow has changed. Perhaps something has obstructed the flow." Going forward to what Mr. Honda mentions about the flow we know that when the flow is obstructed everything dries up and the world becomes darkness. If we combine these two characters' revelations we can foreshadow what will happen to Toru and his wife Kumiko. The change of the cat's name as you've mentioned is a pretty logical interpretation, the name of the cat can symbolize the type of flow he's being put through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kenza the cat symbolizes change in Torus life. The cat was named Noboru Wataya for a reason, in the house Kumiko related the cat to her brother, now that she has left the place she doesnt Noboru Watayas presence anymore since she is already with him.
ReplyDeleteOk Akshay, but it was Toru who renamed the cat - and even the cat has undergone a change. His tail is different.
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