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Book 2, Chapter 16
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Reality and Subjective Experience
Free Will
Desire and Irrationality
The Personal Impact of War
Social Alienation
Summary
Analysis
As the months pass, Kumiko’s family persistently contact Toru to discuss divorce proceedings. Initially, he ignores all their messages, but eventually, Kumiko's father calls him, and he decides to answer him. Toru finds it strange that Kumiko would involve her family as intermediaries, considering the strained and resentful relationship she has had with them in the past. Toru’s conversation with Kumiko’s father is largely unproductive. Toru wants to meet Kumiko in person and discuss the divorce, but her father insists that she will not see him. Toru wonders whether Kumiko’s family is holding her against her will. Then, in October, Noboru’s uncle, a representative in the Lower House of Niigata, passes away, ensuring Noboru's swift rise to political power.
In the back of Toru’s mind, he still wonders whether Kumiko wants to leave him or if her family is somehow controlling her. After all, her departure coincides perfectly with Noboru’s decision to run for political office. If Kumiko does have dirt on Noboru, then her disappearance could be linked to him. However, as always, Murakami never tells the reader what has happened. Like Toru, the reader’s mind searches for solutions, none of which are entirely satisfactory.
Themes
Meanwhile, Toru's facial mark still has not gone away. At this point, Toru is accustomed to it, and it does not bother him. However, he cannot acclimate himself to the loneliness he feels. The Kano sisters, May, and Kumiko have all disappeared from his life. Overwhelmed by loneliness, Toru writes a letter to Mamiya, describing the events that have unfolded since they last met at Toru's home.
At this point, every major character in the novel is gone except Toru himself. If he felt socially isolated before, then that feeling has only grown. Notably, Toru does not think much about the musician, whom he bludgeoned with a bat. It is a sudden, violent event that almost completely disappears from the novel, despite its shocking nature.
Themes
Before long, Mamiya responds, mentioning that he has often thought of Toru. Because he has no one else in his life, Mamiya is glad he could share his feelings with Toru. Additionally, he speculates that the empty box Mr. Honda left for Toru may have been a way to ensure their paths crossed. Also, Mamiya tells Toru that he understands his fascination with the well. Despite the trauma he experienced in Outer Mongolia, Mamiya is still drawn to wells himself. Mamiya ends his letter saying he wishes he could visit Toru. However, he cannot because he has a leg issue, which he needs to deal with.
Here, Mamiya and Toru come together as two people who understand each other, perhaps more fundamentally than any other two characters in the story. However, even with this understanding comes a distance. They can only communicate via letters—much like Toru and Kumiko—and it is unclear whether they will ever see each other again.
Themes
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Toru frequently visits the demolished Miyawaki house in search of May, who is no longer there. One day in February, he goes to his uncle’s real estate office. A man named Mr. Ichikawa sold Toru’s house to his uncle, so Toru seeks him out to inquire about the Miyawaki property. Ichikawa informs Toru that someone purchased the land solely for its value and then demolished the house, as they believed nobody would ever buy it. Ichikawa predicts that the land's value will continue to decline since it is challenging to sell vacant land.
Like the days following Kumiko’s disappearance, Toru wanders around without a sense of purpose. Something about the Miyawaki house calls out to him, though it is unclear what. Toru’s interest in the Miyawaki house sets him apart from others. Other people think it is cursed and refuse to buy it. Meanwhile, it makes Toru sentimental.
Themes
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Toru expresses his interest in buying the lot. Ichikawa is surprised Toru is interested in the land. He warns Toru that those who have bought and lived on the property have experienced misfortune. But Toru already knows everything about the history of the property, so Ichikawa’s warning doesn’t faze him. He insists that Ichikawa keep him updated on any developments regarding the lot until he can gather the necessary funds to purchase it. No matter what, Toru wants to get his hands on the property so that the well will belong to him.
Toru’s desire to buy the Miyawaki house is just like many of the other character’s desires; that is, it is fundamentally irrational. Toru cannot afford the home and, even if he could, everyone thinks it is a bad idea to buy it. Nonetheless, Toru wants the house for reasons he cannot explain to others or himself.
Themes
