<和文論考>物語のはじまりとしての『風の歌を聴け』 --「僕」は何に病んで自己療養に向かうのか?--

Abstract

This paper examines the elements of Haruki Murakami's "initial novel" Hear the Wind Sing that were developed in a series of subsequent novels. Written in the first person, the novel features a protagonist who has a tendency to dissociate. The analysis of his growth story reveals his challenge to deal with his lover's suicide, which occurred four months before the beginning of the novel, with the help of his friend "Rat" and a girl with four fingers. With such help, he becomes able to talk about her death gradually, although his mourning remains suspended to be carried over later. In addition, there is a universal theme that cuts through the simple confrontation of the darkness of human existence. The story is scattered with traces of violence, including the Sino-Japanese War and Auschwitz, suggesting human foolishness and weakness. The protagonist must get away from Derek Hartfield, a writer he takes as his role model, who committed suicide by jumping after long barren fight, and finally initiates his own way of living. These themes became starting points and vehicles in the creation of Murakami's subsequent works.