The Boy Called Crow Character Analysis in Kafka on the Shore

When Kafka is scared or at a loss for words, he imagines “the boy called Crow” giving him advice. Crow is an imagined persona, representing a tougher, wiser version of Kafka himself. Kafka notes that the name “Kafka” is an alias he chose for himself in part because it means “crow” in Czech. Like literal crows in the book, Crow sometimes appears to offer warnings or watch over Kafka in dangerous situations. Because he is a figment of Kafka’s imagination, no one else can see or hear Crow—although Kafka sometimes imagines that Crow takes over and controls what Kafka says or does.

The Boy Called Crow Quotes in Kafka on the Shore

The Kafka on the Shore quotes below are all either spoken by The Boy Called Crow or refer to The Boy Called Crow. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Sometimes fate is like a sandstorm that keeps changing directions. You change directions but the sandstorm chases you. You turn again, but the storm adjusts. Over and over you play this out, like some ominous dance with death just before dawn. Why? Because this storm isn’t something that blew in from far away, something that has nothing to do with you. This storm is you. Something inside of you.

Related Characters: The Boy Called Crow (speaker), Kafka Tamura

Related Symbols: Crows

Page Number and Citation: 5

Explanation and Analysis:

“You have to overcome the fear and anger inside you,” the boy named Crow says. “Let a bright light shine in and melt the coldness in your heart. That’s what being tough is all about.”

Related Characters: The Boy Called Crow (speaker), Kafka Tamura

Page Number and Citation: 387

Explanation and Analysis:

The Boy Called Crow Character Timeline in Kafka on the Shore

The timeline below shows where the character The Boy Called Crow appears in Kafka on the Shore. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The Virtues of Self-Sufficiency Theme Icon

...preparing to run away from home, sits in his father’s study with the boy called Crow. Kafka is nervous; Crow advises him to be tough and strong, and make sure he... (full context)

Crow warns Kafka that he will have to weather a storm—a storm that he will not... (full context)

After consulting with Crow about the best course of action, Kafka bluffs his way into extending his student rate... (full context)

...is covered in blood, and it doesn’t seem to be his own. In his head, Crow tells Kafka to calm down and plan his next steps. With effort, he calms down... (full context)

...some lunch and engages him in a conversation about the turn-of-the-century Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki. Crow helps Kafka put his feelings about the writer into words. Oshima says he believes Goethe’s... (full context)

...oppressively dark and silent. he can’t shake the feeling he’s being watched. In his head, Crow mocks him for being afraid of something so harmless as the dark. Kafka reminds himself... (full context)

...himself in a rainstorm, which leaves him feeling purified and calm. Yet, in his mind, Crow warns that the calm won’t last long. Inevitably, says Crow, Kafka will dream about raping... (full context)

...beach and realizes that he’s jealous of the boy in the painting. In his head, Crow tells Kafka that Kafka wishes he could switch places with Miss Saeki’s teenage boyfriend, even... (full context)

...out at the gym and puzzle through his relationship with Miss Saeki. The boy named Crow tells Kafka that he’s trapped—in the relationship as well as in his new life in... (full context)

That night, Kafka thinks about Miss Saeki. Crow points out that while Kafka is little more than a child, full of questions and... (full context)

Crow chimes in, telling Kafka that Kafka wants to feel in control. Because he’s already killed... (full context)

...prophecy by sleeping with his sister so that he can be free of the omen. Crow, walking behind him, says that he shouldn’t have raped Sakura, even in a dream. Crow... (full context)

...he’s lost in a labyrinth. He feels hollow, like there’s nothing that makes him real. Crow has vanished, and Kafka wants to disappear, as well. He thinks the only way to... (full context)

Kafka feels himself turn into a black crow. Crow tells Kafka that his mother did love him, and that by forgiving her or moving... (full context)

The boy named Crow circles over the trees, landing in a clearing across from a man dressed in a... (full context)

On the train, Kafka thinks about Miss Saeki and everything that has happened to him. Crow tells him that he did the right thing, and even though he can’t escape time... (full context)

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The Boy Called Crow Character Timeline in Kafka on the Shore