Blog Post 1

In comparing Murakami and Conrad, both authors employ imagery in their storytelling to better understand the "reality" that they have created.  In Conrad's Heart of Darkness, we rely on Marlow to tell the story of what is was like being in Congo. He conveys his emotions by describing the nature of his surroundings. For instance, in the scene with the ornamental knobs surrounding Mr. Kurtz's sleeping quarters, at first glance, Marlow thought the knobs were decorations. But on closer examination, did he see that they were the skulls of the native people. There are layers to this scene, which reveals the sequence of what Marlow sees. Only when Marlow steps back, do we see the full picture that depicts hatred and racism towards the Congolese people.

Murakami also creates a setting that blends both Japanese and American aspects. In "Cooking Dinner Spaghetti in Japan," the act of cooking spaghetti is colorfully expressed. However, when he adds the eels to his spaghetti, the imagery not only conveys what is being written but also seems to disrupt the writing. His surreal-like imagery forces us to see what we take for granted through some sort of distorted lens. While the imagery helps the authors convey a story, it also creates ambiguity and forces readers to take a second glance at what we consider an everyday norm.