The Past of Miss Saeki

I felt this deserved it's own little commentary, since Murakami felt it was important enough to name the book by. Around the 20th Chapter, it is revealed that Miss Saeki had a lover also named Kafka Tamura who was needlessly murdered while they were in their twenties. Before his death, she wrote a song about him entitled 'Kafka on the Shore,' the link to which is displayed above. Miss Saeki becomes somewhat of a recluse and disappears for 25 years, during which she wrote a book about people who have been struck by lightening. As the modern-day Kafka's father was also struck by lightening, it is shown that she could possibly be his mother.

The title discussing 'the shore' is fitting with the theme of the ebb and flow of time, as seen with the shifting of the tides. It is also in stark contrast with her study of lightening, which happens suddenly, is fleeting, and only happens once. The timelessness of the novel suggests that true freedom lies outside the frames of time, however that destroys the sanctity of memory. The idea of lightening within timelessness which Miss Saeki hopes to attain would mean that the death of her lover would still allow her to see him again - thus bringing her happiness. At the same time, the memories of her lover would disappear without the instances which mark time in life, making it meaningless.

The lightening strike in the passage of time could also be representative of a life. A life will begin, end, and disappear; but leaves the mark where it struck. This could be why she chose to study lightening - it is a way of immortalising her lover to herself. The song also represents a timelessness, as it is meant to be a haunting and symbolic song to the people who listen to it. The song would be her last legacy, as while her memories have burned erasing herself from time, she would have something tangible grounding her as having lived.