essay on the seventh man

Essay on The Seventh Man Murakami Analysis

The author of The Seventh Man, Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author born on January 12, 1949 in Kyoto, Japan. (Newsmakers). His parents taught Japanese literature and raised him in an remarkably religious and traditional household. Although he showed no regard to Japanese literature, the young scholar enjoyed reading novels and furthering his knowledge of literature from around the world. As a young adult, Murakami valued the importance of jazz music. Specifically, in 1964, Murakami was gifted a concert ticket to see Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Newsmakers).

Soon after, in 1974, he and his wife, Yoko Takahashi, opened a jazz bar in Tokyo, Japan, called Peter Cat. The reader can connect Murakami’s musical influence with his writing style by comparing his works to the way a song is written. For example, in an interview, Murakami explains how the harmony is an analogy to how well the scripture flows in a novel. This strategy helped the Japanese scholar and by 1980, the writer had crafted the novel, Hear the Wind Sing. With the eclat of the novel, it won the Gunzo journal’s new writer’s award.

From there, the Japanese author expanded his works and furthered his career. Later, he released Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, in 2013. The novel was later translated in English. (Newsmakers). Most of Murakami’s novels are related to a real world situation or issue of his home country, Japan. In The Seventh Man, the short story is based on a tsunami that killed the main character, “the seventh man’s” best friend. Although it is not confirmed, critics have suggested the novel is based on a disastrous tsunami that hit Japan in 1933.

In the Seventh Man,Murakami uses many religious allusions to portray characterization and tone, which directly ties to the author’s religious background. First, the writer portrays characterization of the seventh man by using words like redemption. The word redemption, in terms of Christianity, directly translates to the action of being saved from evil. (Merriam). Throughout the short story, the man feels guilty for the death of his best friend. He explains what happened the day the tsunami struck. He describes seeing his friend, K. in the huge wave,” And his right arm was stretched out in my direction, as if he were trying to grab my hand and pull me into that other world where he was now…”(Granta).

This direct quote from the novel creates an image in the reader’s mind of a boy transitioning from life on earth to the in-between or heaven, or “another world”. One can gather that Murakami intended for the imagery of K in the wave smiling to be his happiness now that he has left earth to heaven. Also, the Japanese writer uses hell or Devil imagery. In the novel, the seventh man informs the reader he woke up in the hospital after the natural disaster.

He remembers this, “I lost consciousness again, sinking into darkness. ” (Granta). In a religious aspect, darkness corresponds to hell and the Devil. In the bible, hell is perceived as a dark, burning, unpleasant place. In this scene, the seventh man had just lost his best friend and was in a hospital under critical conditions. Both situations have negative connotations which ties into the Devil imagery Murakami presents. Also, Murakami personifies the wave that killed K as being monstrous and often calls it a snake or reptile.

These figurative adjectives for the wave relate to the Devil as well. On the other hand, Murakami refers to water quite often throughout the plot. For example, the fact that a tsunami took his best friend from earth, K’s watercolor paintings, and the seventh man’s nightmares occurring in the ocean. Water has significance in many religions. First in The Bible, “The word “water” is used in a variety of metaphorical ways in Scripture. It is used to symbolize the troublesome times in life that can and do come to human beings, especially God’s children. (Water). ( Psalm 32:6 ;Psalms 69:1 Psalms 69:2 Psalms 69:14 Psalms 69:15 ; Isa 43:2 ; Lam 3:54 ).

In Hinduism and Islam, water symbolizes cleansing powers and both religions have prayers and rituals designed around the beauty of water. Geographically, where both religions originated, water is very important to those regions due to the dry climates. (World Religions). All of these religions are staple religions in the continent of Asia, therefore Murakami relates water to the religions significant to Asia, and more specifically to Japan.

Then, towards the end of the man’s story, he tells the audience that he finally revisited to his hometown after a whole lifetime of avoiding it, He sets up the scene by saying his town looks nothing like it used to and he finally steps foot in the water. The seventh man looks up to the sky and explains how a weight was lifted off his shoulders and he no longer felt guilt or darkness. Looking up to the sky is light imagery, again which ties back to religion. The sky is suggestively where God lives and watches over his children.

The seventh man claims that in order to get past a tough situation, one must face their fears. With God, he faced his fears and overcame his guilt. Therefore, Murakami most likely suggests that with the power of God, people can learn to get through their life struggles. In conclusion, Murakami uses specific imagery related to religion to establish characterization, plot, theme, and other aspects of his short story, It establishes a common theme throughout the novel and can directly compare religion to Asia, since religion is extremely important in that region.

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The Seventh Man Summary, Characters and Themes

“The Seventh Man” by Haruki Murakami is a short story featured in his collection titled “After the Quake,” which was published in 2000. 

The story revolves around the experiences of a man, referred to as the seventh man, who narrates his traumatic childhood experience to a small audience.

As a child, the narrator lived in a seaside town that was struck by a massive typhoon. During the storm, he and his best friend, K., went to the beach to witness the fury of the sea.

An enormous wave, described as a monstrous wall of water, appeared, and in a moment of panic and self-preservation, the narrator ran to safety, leaving K. behind. K. was swept away by the wave and never found.

The incident left a profound impact on the narrator’s life. He was consumed by guilt and haunted by nightmares of K. and the wave for many years. 

The tragedy affected his relationships and his ability to live a normal life. The story delves into themes of guilt, trauma, the power of nature, and the process of healing.

In his narration, the seventh man reflects on his journey of coping with the trauma and the realization that he must forgive himself to move forward. The story is a poignant exploration of the human psyche dealing with loss and the importance of confronting and overcoming past traumas. 

Murakami uses his signature style of magical realism and introspective narrative to create a powerful and emotional tale.

The Seventh Man

The seventh man, who is also the narrator, shares his deeply personal and traumatic experience from childhood. 

He is haunted by the guilt of surviving a catastrophic wave that claimed his best friend’s life. His character represents themes of trauma, guilt, and the journey towards healing and self-forgiveness.

K. is the best friend of the narrator. He is swept away and presumably killed by the massive wave during the typhoon. His character symbolizes innocence and the tragic cost of natural disasters. 

K. remains a pivotal figure in the narrator’s life, embodying the narrator’s lost childhood and unresolved guilt.

Audience Members

While not individually detailed, the audience members at the lecture or meeting where the seventh man recounts his story serve as a collective character. 

They represent society’s role as listeners and bearers of shared human experiences, providing a space for the seventh man to vocalize his trauma and begin his healing process.

1. The Burden of Guilt and Self-Forgiveness

Central to the story is the theme of guilt that consumes the narrator following the tragic loss of his friend K. Murakami meticulously explores how guilt can dominate a person’s life, affecting their relationships, self-perception, and ability to experience joy. 

The narrator’s journey is a poignant representation of the internal struggle between self-blame and the need for self-forgiveness. 

Murakami delves deep into the psyche, showing how guilt, especially when rooted in childhood trauma, can shape one’s entire existence. 

The story gradually unfolds to reveal the transformative power of confronting and understanding one’s guilt, highlighting the importance of self-forgiveness in the healing process.

2. The Overwhelming Power of Nature

The story vividly portrays nature’s unfathomable power through the catastrophic typhoon and the ensuing gigantic wave that claims K.’s life. 

Murakami uses these natural elements to symbolize forces beyond human control, emphasizing our vulnerability in the face of nature’s might. 

The wave, in particular, serves as a metaphor for life’s unpredictable and sometimes destructive events. 

This theme resonates throughout the narrative, reminding readers of the humbling effect nature has on human life and the illusion of control we often believe we have.

3. Coping with Trauma and the Path to Healing

The book delves deeply into the long-lasting effects of trauma and the complex journey towards healing. 

Murakami portrays trauma not just as a single event, but as a lingering shadow that affects the narrator’s life choices, dreams, and mental health . The story meticulously captures the nonlinear and challenging process of healing from trauma. It illustrates how confronting traumatic memories, rather than avoiding them, is crucial for recovery. 

The protagonist’s eventual confrontation with his past – returning to the scene of the trauma and facing his memories – symbolizes the difficult but necessary steps one must take to heal from deep psychological wounds.

Murakami’s narrative thus becomes a profound exploration of the human capacity to endure, confront, and eventually overcome the traumas of the past.

Final Thoughts

“The Seventh Man” is an exploration of guilt, trauma, and the impact of childhood experiences on one’s entire life. 

Murakami masterfully uses the natural elements and settings to mirror the inner turmoil of the protagonist. 

The story is a powerful reminder of the complex ways in which we deal with trauma and the long journey towards healing and forgiveness. The narrative also underscores the fragility of life and the randomness of fate, leaving a lasting impression on the reader about the importance of confronting one’s past.

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The Seventh Man Story

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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