Isolation

Isolation was a apparent theme in this novel that I picked up on immediately. Throughout the story, isolation and self alienation are primary themes and the main character has, throughout his entire life, chosen a path of self isolation to avoid emotional connections to the outside world. Due to his obsession with the sheep, the Sheep Professor also chose isolation as opposed to existing within the world. The Rat has chosen isolation from others due to his desire for others to not see him give in to weakness. I feel “The Boss” chose isolation because of a need to run his empire in the shadows. I feel like the many outcomes in the novel are created through the self isolation that these characters experience. It is as if the characters have chosen the simple minded aspect of the sheep over the more complex world of society or social interactions.

Focusing on the main character at the beginning of the story, shows that the loneliness that he feels is not specifically related to the absence of his ex-wife, but the absence of someone else in the apartment. He never mentions that he misses her as a person, but focuses on her belongings and her presence.

One aspect of cultural reference, through research, that I noticed was Japaneses animism. Meaning the belief that power can exist within any specific object individually. This is shown through the whale penis and more clearly through the discussion of the woman's ears having strong power, both over the woman, others, and the main character. It also shows the ears as the main characters focus of their relationship.