Thoughts regarding intertextuality

After reading both works, the biggest similarity I perceive between them is perhaps the similarity between the protagonists: Marlowe and Boku. They both give me a feeling that they are sequestered from the mundane world, even though they are part of it. For instance, their insouciant attitude towards money and women. Where they seem to care about the latter, but they do not devote themselves into a relationship; therefore, makes them detached from the vulgar surroundings. Additionally, although both characters are adults now, but they seem to be very cynical about the world, particularly the society they live in, they just don’t show it so obviously. However, when Marlowe keeps refusing giving Terry away, and when Boku rejects the offer to find the sheep at the start, all demonstrated their careless attitude and therefore an underlying rage towards what they do not appreciate, which is the hypocritic and often the society penetrated by corruption and rottenness.

Since Murakami has publicly said he has read The Long Goodbye and Chandler’s other works many times, we may assume that the protagonist Boku may be a by-product of The Long Goodbye, which is Marlowe. Hence, I believe a horizontal axis exists between the two works, out of Murakami’s intention. However, the genre of two works is very different: to me, Chandler’s work is close to light/popular literature, as they are easy to understand and relates to the general public more; whereas Murakami’s work requires deeper thinking to interpret. Knowing Murakami may be inspired by Chandler’s works helps understanding his own works, although the themes conveyed through their works are often very different, as well as the style. Hence, what I really feel is that Murakami borrows the figure of Marlowe and changed it a little, and repackaged it with his own unique style, in a good way.   

 

Alice