“Sumire was a hopeless romantic, a bit set in her ways - innocent of the ways of the world, to put a nice spin on it. Start her talking and she'd go on nonstop, but if she was with someone she didn't get along with - most people in the world, in other words - she barely opened her mouth. She smoked too much, and you could count on her to lose her ticket every time she took the train. She'd get so engrossed in her thoughts at times she'd forget to eat, and she was as thin as one of those war orphans in an old Italian film - like a stick with eyes. I'd love to show you a photo of her but I don't have any. She hated having her photograph taken - no desire to leave behind for posterity a Portrait of the Artist as a Young (Wo)Man.”
Quote Analysis:
In this quote from Haruki Murakami's novel "Sputnik Sweetheart," the narrator provides a vivid description of the character Sumire. Sumire is portrayed as a hopeless romantic, lost in her own world and disconnected from reality. She is depicted as both talkative and withdrawn, depending on her level of comfort with others. The narrator notes her habits of smoking, losing things, and losing herself in her thoughts to the point of neglecting her own needs. Additionally, the physical description of Sumire as thin and frail adds to the image of her as a delicate and vulnerable character. The mention of her aversion to being photographed suggests a desire for anonymity and a reluctance to have her image captured for posterity. Overall, the quote paints a complex portrait of Sumire, highlighting her quirks, vulnerabilities, and internal struggles.
Modern Relevance:
In this quote from Haruki Murakami's novel, we see a character, Sumire, who is described as a hopeless romantic, yet also somewhat detached from the world around her. This characterization can be seen as relevant in today's society, where many individuals struggle to find a balance between their romantic ideals and the realities of the world. Sumire's tendency to get lost in her thoughts and her reluctance to conform to societal expectations resonates with many people who may feel disconnected or misunderstood in a fast-paced and image-driven world. The portrayal of Sumire as a complex and introspective character serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing one's individuality and authenticity, even in a society that often pressures individuals to conform.
Example of Usage:
In Haruki Murakami's novel, "Norwegian Wood," the character Sumire is described as a hopeless romantic who is innocent of the ways of the world. Here is a passage that captures her unique personality: “Sumire was a hopeless romantic, a bit set in her ways - innocent of the ways of the world, to put a nice spin on it. Start her talking and she'd go on nonstop, but if she was with someone she didn't get along with - most people in the world, in other words - she barely opened her mouth. She smoked too much, and you could count on her to lose her ticket every time she took the train. She'd get so engrossed in her thoughts at times she'd forget to eat, and she was as thin as one of those war orphans in an old Italian film - like a stick with eyes. I'd love to show you a photo of her but I don't have any. She hated having her photograph taken - no desire to leave behind for posterity a Portrait of the Artist as a Young (Wo)Man.” - Haruki Murakami"
Reflection Questions:
After reading this passage about Sumire from Haruki Murakami's work, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- How do you think Sumire's romantic and somewhat naive nature impacts her relationships with others?
- Why do you think Sumire is portrayed as being thin and forgetful, almost to the point of neglecting herself?
- In what ways do you relate to or differ from Sumire's character traits and habits?
- How does the author's description of Sumire as a "hopeless romantic" and "innocent of the ways of the world" contribute to the overall characterization of her in the story?
- What do you think the author is trying to convey about Sumire's identity and sense of self through this passage?
Similar quotes
“Not that she didn't love almost every boy she'd ever met, and not that every boy in the world didn't totally love her. It was impossible not to. But she wanted someone to love her and shower her with attention the way only a boy who was completely in love with her could. The rare sort of love. True love. The kind of love she'd never had.”
“She stared at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were dark, almost black, filled with pain. She'd let someone do that to her. She'd known all along she felt things too deeply. She became attached. She didn't want a lover who could walk away from her, because she could never do that - love someone completely and survive intact if her left her.”
“She had learned, in her life, that time lived inside you. You are time, you breathe time. When she'd been young, she'd had an insatiable hunger for more of it, though she hadn't understood why. Now she held inside her a cacophony of times and lately it drowned out the world. The apple tree was still nice to lie near. They peony, for its scent, also fine. When she walked through the woods (infrequently now) she picked her way along the path, making way for the boy inside to run along before her. It could be hard to choose the time outside over the time within.”
“For the first time since she'd pieced her heart back together, she felt a small tug at one of the strings. She dropped her hands to her sides and took a step back. The one word she'd waited to hear could destroy her carefully constructed life. "Don't."Don't make me forget. Don't make it better. Don't make me love you again. - Autumn Haven”
“She'd assumed she'd be married and have kids by this age, that she would be grooming her own daughter for this, as her friends were doing. She wanted it so much she would dream about it sometimes, and then she would wake up with the skin at her wrists and neck red from the scratchy lace of the wedding gown she'd dreamed of wearing. But she'd never felt anything for the men she'd dated, nothing beyond her own desperation. And her desire to marry wasn't strong enough, would never be strong enough, to allow her to marry a man she didn't love.”