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Book 3, 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
Before meeting Toru, Nutmeg had an unusual job that involved providing services to affluent women who felt like something was missing in their life. Nutmeg devoted her life to helping these women find what they were looking for. Although Nutmeg administered treatments, she was never able to cure the women completely. As Cinnamon grew older, he began working alongside his mother, and his presence comforted the women. However, as time passed, Nutmeg grew weary of her profession. Her search for a successor ended when she spotted Toru bearing his distinctive facial mark and sitting on a bench in the city. As soon as she saw him, Nutmeg knew Toru was the solution she had been looking for.
Like everything else in the novel relating to healing and spiritually, the nature of Nutmeg and Toru’s practice is vague. Although there may be a sexual component to what they provide, that is never explicitly stated. Seemingly, Toru’s healing powers come from the mark on his face, which means that his abilities and the well are linked. Additionally, his regular visits to the well imply that he needs to return there occasionally to charge whatever powers he possesses.
Themes
