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  • Essay / A theme of identity formation in Kafka on the Shore

    Identity is essentially who a person is, how they perceive themselves, how they are perceived by the world, and the characteristics that define them, however in the novel these factors can vary and increase with each character, identity is unique to each person (and character in the book), it is what makes us and our own person incomparable, the different themes and elements associated with the identity and loss of identity. Identity is formed through cultural experiences such as food, music and typical cultural traditions as well as family. In the novel Kafka on the Shore by Haraki Murakami, family plays a huge role in shaping as well as changing the identity of the character, but specifically Kafka. Kafka is the main character of the novel who flees Tokyo to the town of Takamatsu due to a conflicted and abusive relationship with his father and the lack of presence and memory of his mother. It concerns the idea of ​​family and identity, in this case kafkas. the lack of relationships with his parental figures created and modified his identity. But little by little, Kafka builds a complete and stable personality. Hoshino and Nakata play supporting roles that demonstrate how individual identity is formed through symbolic consumption and how it can contribute to alienation. While Hoshino represents a person who lives in capitalist society and lives according to its philosophy, Nakata embodies a more marginal point of view. Overall, the main factors of identity formation and alteration are accepted by the rapid growth and spread of globalization and its attendant attributes as well as family relationships. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Kafka struggles to find his identity throughout the novel, creating a character; raven who directs direction and gives advice to Kafka in times of danger, this acts as a coping mechanism for Kafka and acts as an anchor that reminds Kafka of his inner self which he struggles to navigate. “Sometimes destiny is like a sandstorm that keeps changing direction. You change direction but the sandstorm chases you. You turn around again, but the storm adjusts. Over and over you play this, like an ominous dance with death just before dawn. For what? Because this storm is not something that came from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This storm is you. Something inside you" in this quote the raven gives advice to Kafka and tells him that the storm is not something that is inside him but it is him, much like the identity, the storm is inside him. Reading books for him is a diversion and allows him to gain a new identity where he feels a sense of belonging but it does not mask his problems and he leaves the house in hopes of running away from his insecurities and fears. Kafka's battle with identity results in difficulties in his school life, leading him away from his friends and isolating him from the world, this can be described as the result of his abandonment of his mother and sister and of the lack of connection with his father which pushed him to run away. "He also takes an old photo of him and his older sister standing on the beach many years ago. The photo fills him with questions: he doesn't remember the trip to the beach, nor his mother or his sister The photo shows him feeling alone, without any memory of his mother and sister Kafka transformed his family's feeling of isolation and loneliness into a desire for..