Westernization in "TV People" by Haruki Murakami. Paper Example

Murakami's work is primarily associated with Westernization, fascinated by the influence of technology, the media, and pop culture on the mental world. In terms of the effects of technology, it results in different results on thought processes, human relationships, connection, and alienation. The embracing of Western technology results in the elimination of social interaction. The use of magical realism by Murakami addresses the ills and flaws of a capitalist culture that is highly developed and shows the individual outcomes of an inevitable identity crisis. The protagonist forcefully deals with various identity issues so that they can continue to live and cope with the problems of society. Also, in TV People, there is a bizarre concept in the case where rationality gets lost, putting an idea of the unknown into an incoherent narrative (Thukral). The blending of Japanese tales, magic realism, and modern tales brings a Western perspective in terms of individual liberties with consciousness and time.

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The use of attitudes of characters directed to change focuses on ways people are wary of alteration in people's lifestyles. The character is driven to a place where they are uncomfortable, and their response becomes the main point of the story. The changes in technology bring about painful feelings in the effort of learning something new. It also causes the old technology to be time-consuming and costly hence forcing people to switch. The drawbacks and risks associated with new technology in the short term create an uncomfortable feeling and its rejection at the end (Trickle). Western allusions from TV People are numerous displaying the characters coming to terms with the modern culture of Japan. He tries to assert the concept of individuality in the face of the Japanese element regarding conformity. Also, by embracing western culture, they struggle against the strict commitment to the working culture of Japanese individuals. In TV people, he shows the difficulties that people with mental issues pass through because of the ignorance of society on the invisible disease.

Through invoking the late period of capitalism in the title of the story, and talking about contemporary society, Murakami seems to suggest a type of parallel between boomer disillusionment with adult life and sexual frustration. It is difficult to ascertain if the maturity, prosperity, or freedom and liberation the characters search for has arrived. Also, it creates thinking of whether people gave up youthful idealism compromising the society but in a constant loop trying to reclaim their idealism while holding its reins. They question themselves if they have to compromise or transgress the boundaries they have put up. Murakami points out that Westernization has caused the destruction of individuality in Japan through the desecration of tradition and dethroning Emperor Hirohito (Brookes). The Japanese did not have a real identity after western civilization as the individuals wanted to belong to a different thing from western assimilation (Brookes). The individuals' simple need was to belong to have cultural autonomy and have unassimilated traditions different from the imperialistic perception of western society and law.

Murakami grew up absorbing and emulating western culture explaining the Western influences making the story he creates appear somehow bizarre. He conveys the feeling of alienation and longing in modern life due to the impact of technology. In this case, the use of an airplane. When the narrator sleeps and wakes up finding a TV turned on and showing him a documentary about making an airplane, he is surprised. Also, the image does not look like an airplane, but the TV People swear it will be one. With everything televisions convince people to do, this case relates directly to coercion using television. The airplane, as used in the story, is a detail; he feels significant but, at the same time, inexplainable. At this point, he has never thought of airplanes, meaning he is partially aware of himself. Being with her makes me understand some parts that he cannot reach himself. Additionally, on TV People, a person cannot escape TV because if you do not have one, the TV people force one on you. In particular, reading threatens to directly replace reading for a specific person who is his evening activity. He is the last holdout as every other person gets habituated to TV but barely seems to notice it.

Murakami is referred to as Kafkaesque due to their skillful depiction of the feeling of people ridden with anxiety and alienated in an indifferent and incomprehensible world in short stories in regard to TV People. Murakami uses literary devices observed in the writing of Kafka's writing. He uses Metaphors all over his book, mimicking the technical writing structure of Kafka. He maintains an ambiguous tone throughout the novel, which is the fundamental attribute of the writing of Kafka. Purposeful vagueness and ambiguity create a disorienting and eery resonance for the readers. His imagination is also extraordinary, and somehow, he has managed to encapsulate some serious aesthetic ambiances in his work. When Murakami uses the stream of consciousness to show thoughts in terms of TV and airplane, it is similar to the trademark usage of a stream of consciousness writing used by Kafka.

Works Cited

Brookes, Brandon. "Murakami Haruki: The Rising of Terrorism in the Absence of Myth, Tradition, and Placement." www.reed.edu/gls/Brandon.Brookes.pdf.

Thukral, Ruchika. "The Elephant Vanishes: Stories Study Guide: Analysis." www.gradesaver.com/the-elephant-vanishes-stories/study-guide/analysis.

Trickle. "Technological change feels uncomfortable (at first)." Trickle App, trickle.app/drip/12837-technological-change-feels-uncomfortable-at-first/.