1. Cultural allusions in After Dark
An allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance “It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text

2. Cultural allusions in After Dark
Haruki Murakami makes frequent allusions to music (pop as well as classical and jazz), films, literature, and art in his novels. He alternately uses allusions to illuminate themes, contribute to characterization, or merely establish tone.

3. Cultural allusions and Characterization
Sometimes, the reader can infer the meaning of the allusion through context. For example, when reflecting on his double date with Mari and Eri, Takahashi says, “I’m more of a side dish—cole slaw or French Fries or a Wham! backup singer” (Murakami 17). What is Takahashi implying about himself? Watch Wham! video. How does the allusion to an George Michael’s 80s pop group contribute to characterization?

4. Cultural allusions and theme
Sometimes, though, Murakami’s allusions are a little more obscure.
For example, the love ho in After Dark’s Tokyo is called Alphaville, which also happens to be the title of a 1960s French science fiction film from the director Jean-Luc Godard.
Mari and Kaoru discuss Alphaville in Chapter 5… remember?

5. Cultural allusions and theme
The synopsis: “Lemmy Caution, an American private-eye, arrives in Alphaville, a futuristic city on another planet. His very American character is at odds with the city's ruler, an evil scientist named Von Braun, who has outlawed love and self-expression” (IMDB.com).
What does this allusive name imply about the love hotel?

6. Cultural allusions and theme
Now, let’s connect this allusion to the following theme statement:
Although people are connected superficially, individuals must strive if they want to make intimate connections.

7. Cultural Allusions and Tone
Murakami also juxtaposes music with scenes to establish a certain tone. Juxtaposition is a literary technique in which two or more ideas, places, characters and their actions are placed side by side in a narrative or a poem for the purpose of developing comparisons and contrasts

8. Cultural Allusions and Tone
For example, read this passage while Hall and Oates’ “I Can’t Go for That” plays. “Our viewpoint camera lingers in here for a while, observing the restroom. Mari is no longer here. Neither is anyone else. Music continues to play from the ceiling speaker. A Hall and Oates song now: ‘I Can’t Go for That.’ A closer look reveals that Mari’s image is still reflected in the mirror over the sink. The Mari in the mirror is looking from her side into this side. Her somber gaze seems to be expecting some kind of occurrence. But there is no one on this side. Only her image is left in the Skylark’s restroom mirror. “The Room begins to darken. In the deepening darkness, ‘I Can’t Go for That’ continues to play” (Murakami 81).

9. Cultural Allusions and Tone
How does this musical allusion contribute to tone in this scene? How does this scene contribute to our theme statement: Although people are connected superficially, individuals must strive if they want to make intimate connections

10. Cultural Allusions Practice
At the end of Chapter One, Takahashi leaves Mari alone at the table in Denny’s and Burt Bacharach’s song “April Fools” begins to play. Listen to the song and read the lyrics. With a partner, formulate an answer to this question: How does this musical allusion contribute to the characterization of Mari and Takahashi at the beginning of the novel?

11. “April Fools” by Burt Bacharach
In an April dream Once she came to me When you smiled I looked into your eyes And I knew I'd be loving you and then you touched my hand And I learned April dreams can come true Oh are we just April fools Who can't see all the danger around us If we're just April fools I don't care, true love has found us now Little did we know Where the road would lead Here we are a million miles away from the past Travelin' so fast now There's no turning back If our sweet April dream doesn't last Are we just April fools Who can't see all the danger around us If we're just April fools I don't care, we'll find our way somehow No need to be afraid True love has found us now

12. Cultural Allusions Practice
And at the end of Chapter 5, Mari and Kaoru part ways after a long conversation about Kaoru’s past and her career as the manager of a love ho. Mari goes to the bathroom to wash her hands and Pet Shop Boys’ song “Jealousy” plays. Listen to the song and read the lyrics. With a partner, formulate an answer to this question: What does this musical allusion contribute to the theme of the novel? Here’s our theme statement again: Although people are connected superficially, individuals must strive if they want to make intimate connections

13. “Jealousy” by Pet Shop Boys
At dead of night, when strangers roam The streets in search of anyone who'll take them home I lie alone, the clock strikes three And anyone who wanted to could contact me At dead of night, 'till break of day Endless thoughts and questions keep me awake It's much too late Where've you been? Who've you seen? You didn't phone when you said you would! Do you lie? Do you try To keep in touch? You know you could I've tried to see your point of view But could not hear or see For jealousy I never knew time passed so slow I wish I'd never met you, or that I could bear to let you go At dead of night, 'till break of day Endless thoughts and questions keep me awake It's much too late Where've you been? Who've you seen? You didn't phone when you said you would! Do you lie? Do you try To keep in touch? You know you could I've tried to see your point of view But could not hear or see For jealousy Where've you been? Who've you seen? You didn't phone when you said you would! Do you lie? Do you try To keep in touch? You know you could I've tried to see your point of view But could not hear or see For jealousy Where've you been? Who've you seen? You didn't phone when you said you would! Do you lie? Do you try To keep in touch? You know you could I've tried to see your point of view But could not hear or see For jealousy Where've you been? Who've you seen? You didn't phone when you said you would! Do you lie? Do you try To keep in touch? You know you could I've tried to see your point of view But could not hear or see For jealousy I never knew 'till I met you

14. What does this have to do with After Dark?
In your paper for this unit, you will be asked to respond to this prompt:
Examine a character’s response to pressure and expectations placed on them. Analyze how these pressures and/or expectations challenge the character’s sense of identity and explain how her response shapes the meaning of the work as a whole.
Just like with name meanings, Murakami’s use of allusions can help us understand a character’s sense of identity and can help us explain the meaning of the work as a whole. You just may wind up citing Hall & Oates in your essay.

15. Homework
Your homework is to read Chapters 6 & 7 (pages ). As you read, pay close attention to the cultural allusions Murakami uses: music, literature, film, and especially art. As you read, think about what contributions these allusions make to characterization and theme in the novel. It may be useful to Google the titles and names to which he is alluding.