Kafka on the Shore

I’m currently reading Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami… I’m only about halfway through, but so far I love the book.  If you want to know what it’s about, go read the Amazon description. Just know that the descriptions don’t do it justice.

But the reason I’m posting is that one particular passage really seems to resonate with me.  I’m leaving a lot out because I honestly don’t have the patience to type it all.  I suggest you read the book anyway, but hopefully this gives a sense of this particular passage:

“All kinds of things are happening to me,” I begin.  ”Some I chose, some I didn’t.  I don’t know how to tell one from the other anymore.”

…

“Listen, Kafka.  What you’re experiencing now is the motif of many Greek Tragedies.  Man doesn’t chose fate. Fate choses man.

…

And the sense of tragedy- according to Aristotle- comes, ironically enough, not from the protagonist’s weak points but from his good qualities.

…

People are drawn deeper into tragedy not by their defects but by their virtues.  Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex being a great example.  Oedipus is drawn into tragedy not because of laziness or stupidity, but because of his courage and honesty.  So an inevitable irony exists.

My life isn’t tragic or anything, but a lot of times it feels like I have no control over certain aspects, like situations chose me.  Call it fate if you must.  But the fact that I feel I have no control over situations is because I feel bound by my own sense of duty and responsibility.  Maybe if I didn’t have those “virtues” I’d be able to just do what truly makes me happy. It’s just an interesting concept to ponder.