The Boy Named Crow: A Critical Analysis

The Boy Named Crow

(An excerpt from the novel Kafka on the Shore)

by Haruki Murakami

            "The Boy Named Crow" is an excerpt and prologue of sorts from the novel Kafka on the Shore by the Japanese author Haruki Murakami. It was published in the year 2002, with an English translation released later in 2005 which was named one of "The 10 Best Books of 2005" from The New York Times. The story centers around a 15-year-old boy named Kafka that plans to run away from his father, and the boy named Crow who gives him advice about being tough and to think wisely to survive out there alone. The themes of isolation and surrealism can be observed in the story. The purpose of the story is to entertain the readers with its interesting plot and scenes that dwell on reality versus fantasy.

          Although this excerpt was short, it was able to catch my interest because of the themes in the story and the way it was written. I can say that even from this short part of the novel, it made me want to look more into what the entirety of the story is all about and what would happen next in Kafka and Crow's spontaneous journey. The story starts with a part of the already ongoing conversation between Kafka and Crow. Fifteen-year-old Kafka is in his father's study with this boy named Crow, who seems rather mysterious. Kafka says that the money he has taken (in the story it is implied that it was his father's money) will be enough for his journey for the time being, to which Crow agrees but explains that it would not be enough in the long run, when it is all gone. Kafka then says he could get a job, to which Crow states that a boy his age is quite naive about the world, and would not easily get hired. Crow then says that it is the boy's life and he can do what he thinks is right, but further lectures how Kafka is still young and he hasn't really seen the majority of what goes on in the world. He says that running away may not be the solution, yet Kafka begs to differ. From this, I can say that Crow (who is actually Kafka's alter ego) is a wiser version of Kafka, and serves as some sort of conscience that has an inner battle with him in his mind. One that contradicts and makes remarks about his decisions. The conversation is then followed by Crow telling Kafka to imagine a sandstorm in his head. One that follows him no matter where he goes. He says that the sandstorm is Kafka, and is something inside him. It is his fate. The metaphysical storm is a metaphor for the struggles he will go through and the fate that is destined for him will be at the end of his path after he goes through that storm. Kafka wouldn't know how he survived the storm or know if it is over, but he will know how he isn't the same person who walked through it. This part explains how he might be a different, stronger and tougher person once he experiences the real world and being independent. He will learn a lot and learn from his mistakes and struggles that will later on mold his future. Crow helps Kafka realize that he has to be the toughest 15-year-old, and he must know the meaning of being tough. In the end, Kafka predicts that he will run away from home, journey to a distant town, and live in the corner of a small library. Afterwards, he will be a different person.

            The story can be quite confusing at first since it starts mid-conversation between the characters, and we don't really have enough background as to why Kafka wants to run away, or who Crow really is and why Kafka knows him. But as the story goes on, the reader can somewhat put two and two together to realize what could be going on in the story. The styles used in the story such as the descriptive imagery and metaphors truly make the piece interesting and entertaining to read. The metaphor and symbolism with the sandstorm really make you think and try to come up with what it means and how it applies to Kafka and his situation. The minor descriptions like how Kafka easily blushes and the way Crow's voice sounds characteristically sluggish give the reader an idea of what personality the characters in the story may have, and it really made me imagine easily how these two contrast each other. The story, although short, was really interesting to me and was not boring whatsoever. The character's conversation was enough to keep me hooked to continue reading. Plus the metaphors made me analyze and think outside-the-box. It is a short, entertaining piece that can persuade the reader to try and read the rest of the novel to find out what happens to Kafka after he has made his decision of leaving. The novel's surrealist theme can be seen in the text through Crow's descriptions of the sandstorm, the metaphors he used and the fact that Crow is not real, but Kafka's alter ego. In my opinion, not only this text but even the whole novel can be read not only by young adults but teenagers and elders as well. I think this story can appeal and interest a spectrum of ages, and that it will be enjoyable to anyone who likes surrealistic themes.