Knowledge and endings

Many aspects of the plot remain deliberately unresolved, contributing to Murakami's idea that true knowledge is elusive. The actual events of the story are obscured in order to gain the perceptions of the characters. It seems to be that for this reason, the ending must remain so obscure. Although such an ending seems frustrating with such ambiguity, it may actually be necassary. One of the major themes thoughout the novel concerns itself with the attainment of knowledge. This seems to be an unending quest for most. Sumire and K seem to epitomize this theme of searching for knowledge, however they go about finding it the wrong way. Sumire finds it necassary to find knowledge through impersonating and emulating other figures, whether it be Jack Kerouac or Mui. K seems to be in a similiar situation in which he doesn't actually have much direction at all, not seeking knowledge at all. We discover that Murakami sees the only true path towards finding knowledge is to look deeply and insightfully within one's self. I believe that is why Sumire disappeared. She no longer needed to use other people as her source of knowledge. She no longer needed the midnight phone calls to K for direction or the glamour of following Mui. Relating back to why the ending is so ambiguous, I believe that Murikami wished to convey the power of self interpretation onto the reader. He saw it necassary to have the reader deduce for themselves, seeking knowledge actively.