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The Characters’ Dark Side in the Novel of Haruki Murakami’s After Dark
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The Characters' Dark Side in the Novel of Haruki Murakami's After Dark
Lamia Obaid Salim Alkhuzaimi
201510240
Introduction
Key Messages
- An Iconic Figure of Japanese Literature.
- From Sunset to Sunshine.
- The Documentor of the Night.
- The Nature of Night Life.
Research Problem:
The following research questions are formulated for the proposed present study:
1. What are the differences between Eri and Mari in the sense of having dark side in their personalities?
2. How does the night affect the characters and turn them into evil like?
3. What is the reality of night life in the author’s point of view?
4. What makes the author use the night as reference to the characters’ ill-treatment to each other?
Aims and Objectives
Aims and Objectives:
For this study, it is of interest to investigate what lies behind the characters in Murakami’s novel After Dark. The specific aims of this research are as follow:
1. To track the characters’ life owing to exploring their dark side.
2. To find out to what extent do Mari and Eri differ.
3. To explore the night life from the author’s point of view.
Purpose of the Study
Purpose of the Study:
The significance of this study dwells in our attempts to provide a profound analysis of the characters to deal with the dark aspect of their personalities. Not only does it explore a new side of After Dark, but it depicts the nature of night where people assess it as a time of relaxation and mediation. Besides that, the readers will be exposed to another life journey, and the possible danger lurks in night.
Continue;
Hypothesis
Hypothesis:
If the darkness which is existed in After Dark is a reflection of Murakami’s society, then Murakami will try to make the characters embody the real darkness which exists in the Japanese society for the purpose of conveying the real occurrences in his country. However, if Murakami uses the night as a way to express his darkness that rises from his own life, then the darkness cannot be generalized on the Japanese society.
Methodology
Methodology:
Websites
psycho
approach
Books
Consult
Different methods have been used for the purpose of collecting data.
- To start with, collecting data which are related to the novel via book, and websites.
- In addition to that, consulting others is also used as a path for collecting data.
- The data are selected by dismissing the irrelevant information.
- The psychoanalytic approach is also applied which gives extensive analysis of the events and the characters.
Chapterization Scheme
Chapterization Scheme:
The entire research work will run into four chapters:
First Chapter: It consists of the introduction which implies the Japanese literature and Murakami’s novel.
It also states the research problems, aims and objectives, purpose of the study, methodology, hypothesis, and the chaperization scheme.
Second Chapter: the relevant literature from 2010 to 2020 with the definition of the so-called dark term in general and in psychology.
Third Chapter: The main body will be existed in the third chapter as well as the intensive discussion of the research questions.
Fourth Chapter: It is about the conclusion and suggestions for further studies.
Results:
STRUGGLES
Murakami is typically striking two sides of the characters in After Dark, one which can refer to as a light side, whereas the second one is the dark side. Having the dark side means there are many hidden secrets and truths, because of the consequences of one’s life, hardships, and tensions. By tracking the characters’ life in succession, one would voice his regret and bitter over the characters’ dark side.
False Appearance and Hidden Truth
Mari’s dark side which is noticeable on her self-imposed isolation to avoid being hurt by her sister. At this point, her superego appears on her resolution to be at home and awake her sister after her long sleep for hope of reconnecting herself with her sister for the second time in her life which is her only way to defeat her inner feelings of isolation rather roaming Tokyo’s streets as an outsider,
Between Fantasy and Realism
The incidents pertaining strongly to Eri’s own darkness that she has been via mischievous experience with a wicked soul. Consequently, Eri escapes the reality for fear that she should face a similar experience. What it has been witnessed is Eri’s unconscious mind that reports her insights as dreamlike presented on TV. The darkness of Eri resembles her psychological process that stratifies on her subconsciousness mind.
No Choice for the Chinese Girl
Competitors
The Chinese girls is beaten remorselessly in Alphaville hotel. Somehow, we get to know her dark side unless she has the druthers, would never tell anybody. However, the circumstances compelled her to reveal that the Chinese girl is a prostitute, working for a gang member. This appears to be a complex problem, because the prostitutes cannot call for their rights, even if they are victims or hurt in a way or another. Due to breaking the law by entering the country illegally, calling police is a choice would never choose. The Japanese society forbids such illegal immigration, so they keep their mission undercover.
The Source of Darkness
Darkness is highly demonstrated by Shirakawa who scatters reassurance soul to every character deal with especially the Chinese girl who’s the most effected one by his utmost darkness. Shirakawa did not get sufficiency by beating her without a cause, but he stripes her of everything.
Koura and Korogi Inevitable Fate
Competitors
- Nothing would be darker than running a love hotel. Being the love hotel’s manager means Koura has to gloss over many things. Covering up the crime is koura’s task and dark
- Korogi’s fate is the worst when she is compared to Koura, she is one of the servants in Alphaville hotel. It is predestined on Korogi not to disclosure her real name and to roam Tokyo’s hotels so as not to be caught by people chasing her.
An Embodiment of Murakami's Passion
Murakami would not leave After Dark without reference to his passion for music. Takahashi would carry the task to reflect Murakami’s love for jazz. Takahashi himself is not able to have a sense of interaction with his family. Takahashi himself is not able to have a sense of interaction with his family. It is revealed that Takahashi is working in Alphaville so as to cover up a night spent with a girl. Neither Takahashi nor the girl are able to pay, however; Kaoru is not a kind of tolerant woman. Accordingly, working in the hotel would be the appropriate thing to escape his shameful deed.
Nature of Night Life
Murakami's point of view that darkness can be encountered anywhere and anytime. Therefore, the night is chosen due to its mysterious atmosphere. The calmness of the night lurks chaotic world which is seen by the characters' behaviours of transforming it to the readers. the sense of evil occults beneath the surface of the night. With the aim of detecting the characters' inner darkness and the city's hidden truths, Murakami refers to the night.
Recommendations
- The scholars should aim to validate feminist approach in After Dark with view to its significance in understanding women’s position in the society.
- Further researches are certainly required to disentangle these complexities in the characters.
- Looking forward, After Dark is to be a part of the colleges and universities’ plan as a postmodernism novel.
- The next generation is likely to broaden their prospects and precepts by exploring the world’s literature for instance Japanese literature, and not to restrict themselves to English and American literature.