Discussion about Intertextuality

Our class discussion on the lowbrow and highbrow aspects of Murakami’s use of intertextuality led me to question not the degree of his references but the extent to which they become necessary to appreciate his work. After giving it some thought, I am of the opinion that Murakami incorporates optional intertextuality, anecdotes that add nuance but are by no means necessary to understanding his work, as opposed to obligatory intertextuality that would require familiarity with the mentioned works, pop culture references, and so forth to understand Murakami’s intentions.

There are a multitude of references found in Murakami that vary greatly across genres, types of work, and how deep or highbrow the illusion may be. From The Beatles, to The Great Gatsby, to The Graduate, to The Sound of Music, to Brahms' Fourth Symphony, there is something for everyone, and it helps create a space that the reader can step into. As we have discussed in class, Murakami paints a mood in his work, and in my opinion, it seems the enjoyment from reading Murakami is taking what you wish out of it. From this perspective, it seems that Murakami arguably never employs obligatory intertextuality, and he invites readers to engage with his work to the depth that they please.

Murakami’s intertextuality exists as a reflection of himself and of his own interests. It seems that Murakami has woven such references in his work that have been impactful to his life into his work because, before he was a writer, he was a reader.

- Alex McBrier