Symbolism in "The Little Green Monster" By Haruki Murakami

Introduction

Oak trees are known for being large and tough, they signify security, power and acceptance. The Oak tree could unequivocally be used to portray society as it is known to be consistent and unadaptable. The tree truly presents society as stubborn.

The Little Green Monster: Symboloism of the Colour Green

Another thing that contributes with society would be the colour green in the story. Green is well-known as the color that represents jealousy. The monster significantly contrasts with the wife that murders the little monster.

This particular moment portrays the jealousy the wife feels due to the monster feeling comfortable about being themselves. In this society, it is believed the perfect person is judged by their physical appearance. Not only does the wife see that the monster is confident with how they look but moreover that it is affectionate thus the wife is not able to comprehend what to do due to the isolation in her life which lead her to killing the monster with the use of her thoughts.

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From this we see that society tells us that words have a big impact on a person, especially ones that come from someone important to you. The evidence that shows this is when the monster saysthus the monster possibly died from a broken heart due to the wifes horrible feelings towards it.

Monster as the Hero of The Little Green Monster

Overall, the most significant symbolism was the monster itself. This is due to the monster representing the choice that the wife had to either accept the love she was given from the monster as she is describe as a lonely and isolated woman in the beginning of the story as well as how critical people can be in the Japanese Society.

This is revealed when the wife immediately judged the monster and felt the need to kill it without giving the monster a chance. Although the monster is characterized as being frightenting due to its descriptions, it is found later in the story that wife has power and uses her ability to hurt the monster. This suggests that when the people in the Japanese society are given the right of freedom and choice, they exploit it or they are unable to determine how to use it. Additionally, the little green monster symbolises jugement. This is revealed when the woman is initially characterized as a wife however she then becomes violent and the little green monster that is initially describe as violent, becomes the victim.

Conclusion

From this we see that Murakami is giving the idea that people in Japanese society must look past the cover and the view of things as well as exploring the true meaning. This element gives impacts the readers as it gives them new ideas and something to think about.