“No sooner had one season slipped out the door than the next came in by another door. A person might scramble to the closing door and call out, Hey, wait a minute, there’s one last thing I forgot to tell you. But nobody would be there any more. The door shuts tight. Already another season is in the room, sitting in a chair, striking a match to light a cigarette. Anything you forgot to mention, the stranger says, you might as well go ahead and tell me, and if it works out, I’ll get the message through.Nah, it’s okay, you say, it was nothing really. And all around, the sound of the wind. Nothing, really. A season’s died, that’s all.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Haruki Murakami, the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The imagery of seasons slipping out the door and new ones entering through another door symbolizes the continuous cycle of life. The idea of scrambling to the closing door to say one last thing before it shuts tight suggests a sense of urgency and the desire to hold on to fleeting moments. However, the absence of anyone on the other side of the door highlights the finality of time passing. The stranger in the room, willing to listen to anything forgotten to be mentioned, represents a sense of acceptance and the opportunity for closure. The speaker's nonchalant response of "it was nothing really" reflects a sense of resignation and the acknowledgment that seasons come and go without regret. The sound of the wind alludes to the constant and unstoppable passage of time. Overall, the quote conveys a poignant contemplation on the passing of time and the impermanence of seasons.
Modern Relevance
In this passage from Haruki Murakami's work, the concept of time passing and seasons changing is explored in a poetic and reflective manner. This notion of the swift passage of time and the constant cycle of change resonates in today's fast-paced and ever-evolving society. The idea that moments and opportunities can slip away quickly, leaving us scrambling to catch up, is a familiar experience for many in the modern world. This passage serves as a reminder to embrace the present moment and make the most of what we have before it too becomes just a memory.
Haruki Murakami's Prose
"No sooner had one season slipped out the door than the next came in by another door. A person might scramble to the closing door and call out, Hey, wait a minute, there’s one last thing I forgot to tell you. But nobody would be there any more. The door shuts tight. Already another season is in the room, sitting in a chair, striking a match to light a cigarette. Anything you forgot to mention, the stranger says, you might as well go ahead and tell me, and if it works out, I’ll get the message through.
Nah, it’s okay, you say, it was nothing really. And all around, the sound of the wind. Nothing, really. A season’s died, that’s all.” - Haruki Murakami"
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on the passage from Haruki Murakami's writing, consider the following questions:
- How does the imagery of the changing seasons reflect the passage of time and the inevitability of change in our lives?
- Do you relate to the idea of wanting to share something with a past season, only to find that it's too late to do so?
- In what ways do you think this passage speaks to the concept of missed opportunities and the fleeting nature of time?
- How do you interpret the stranger in the passage and their offer to deliver any message to the next season?
- What lessons or insights can be drawn from this passage about embracing change and living in the present moment?
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