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Book 3, Chapter 35
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
May composes a sixth letter to Toru, sharing details about the pond near her workplace where the local ducks swim. She enjoys sitting and observing their amusing behaviors. In her letter, she mentions a peculiar dream she had involving Toru. She recalls hearing his voice calling out to her, which woke her up in the middle of the night. Strangely, upon waking, May found herself compelled to undress and bathe her naked body under the moonlight. She felt sad as she did so. May urges Toru to reach out to her if he encounters any troublesome situations and needs help.
The cry May describes suggests that she heard Toru drowning in the well. Of course, in reality, she could not make sense of what was going on and, therefore, could not help him. However, her letter suggests that she would like to help Toru if she can. Evidently, May is lonely, and she misses her time with Toru. Her new life is one of isolation, with only the ducks to keep her company.
Themes
