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Book 3, Chapter 21
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
At the designated time, Toru accesses Cinnamon’s computer and enters the provided numbers to initiate the chat with Kumiko. He begins by asking Kumiko to confirm her identity by recalling what fascinated her the most at the aquarium. Kumiko responds correctly, mentioning her fascination with jellyfish from various parts of the world. Toru informs her that the cat has safely returned. Then he asks Kumiko to tell him where she is and why she refuses to meet him in person.
Kumiko’s answer to Toru’s question is convincing and all but confirms her identity. Still, it is impossible to trust her entirely because of the medium of communication. There is still a possibility that Noboru is with her, dictating what she can and cannot say. Ultimately, it is impossible to know.
Themes
Kumiko explains that she has undergone a transformation that might have negative implications. She asserts that she is no longer the same Kumiko Toru once knew and emphasizes her need to finalize their divorce. Toru insists that she elaborate on what happened to her. Kumiko explains that there are numerous ways for someone to deteriorate, and in her case, it occurred gradually over a long period of time.
Kumiko’s description of what happened to her sounds a lot like what happened to Creta and Cinnamon. Something she cannot entirely explain caused her to transform into a fundamentally different person. At this point, neither she nor Toru are the same person they were the last time they saw each other.
Themes
Toru asks Kumiko why she went to Noboru for help. Kumiko responds that she is where she is supposed to be, even if it wasn’t her choice. Toru says that he can hear her voice calling out for his help, despite Kumiko’s insistence that Toru forget about her. He promises to continue searching for her. Suddenly, Kumiko says goodbye and abruptly ends the chat.
Kumiko’s response suggests that Noboru forced her to be wherever she is. Obviously, Toru does not believe she is happy in her current situation, but perhaps he has to feel this way out of self-preservation. No matter what Kumiko says, Toru still wants to repair their relationship.
Themes
