A
renowned philosopher Georges Bataille defined eroticism as sexual
possessiveness that originates from one’s desire to violate taboos. According
to his theory, social restrictions and rules are what make people want to break
them even more. Eroticism is neither love itself nor the opposite of love;
rather, it is simply a different concept that can only exist when there are
restrictions. Since he preconditioned that animals do not have any taboos in
their world, this trait of eroticism can be said to only exist in human beings,
something that differentiates humans from animals. Indeed, the relationship
between Toru and Naoko in The Norwegian Wood can be interpreted by
Bataille’s eroticism.
Naoko
and Toru first get to know each other through their mutual friend Kizuki. As
Kizuki’s only friend, Toru is introduced to Kizuki’s girlfriend Naoko. Though
the relationship between Naoko and Toru in high school is not well depicted in detail,
except that they used to hang out in three or double-date with Naoko’s friend,
they suddenly develop strange feelings for each other after Kizuki’s death.
Understanding their story in Bataille’s perspective, it is Kizuki’s death that
exists as the biggest restriction. Although they do not state it in words,
dating dead friend’s girlfriend or dead boyfriend’s best friend is often not
accepted by the society. This unspoken rule seems to turn their relationship
more desperately erotic.
Whenever
Naoko finds herself in love with Toru, she gets extremely confused. During her
sex with Toru, she suddenly begins wailing loudly when Toru asks about her
sexual relationship with Kizuki. With the confusion probably resulting from her
sense of guilt, she even secludes herself in Ami Hostel after that incident.
The more guilt restricts her, however, the more she becomes dependent on Toru,
making him assure that he will stay and wait for her forever. Nevertheless she
again feels bewildered about the relationship and suffers. Guilt is what boosts
her orgasm during her sexual intercourse with Toru, which she describes as “the
best feeling of being violated,” but that pleasure is what makes her even guiltier.
The eroticism that comes from social taboos and her guilt results in both
pleasure and confusion.
While
feeble Naoko feels ashamed about herself, Toru is extremely obsessed with
Naoko. Through his narration, he keeps excusing himself that his attention and
care for Naoko have started because she is his best friend Kizuki’s girlfriend.
Yes, it may be true, but in a different sense from what he is trying to
justify: he likes Naoko not because she is someone whom he has to protect due
to his friendship with his best friend, but because she is someone that he is
not supposed to have due to his best friend’s death. As the same for Naoko,
this restriction turns Toru more desperate and their relationship more erotic.
Although he finds a girl named Midori who evidently likes him, unlike Naoko who
becomes repentant and insecure too often, he directly states that he “still
[loves] Naoko.” Guilt and eroticism are again what make Toru keep his feeling
for Naoko, perhaps even more day by day.
In
a nutshell, the relationship between Toru and Naoko is based on eroticism deriving
from the desire to violate social taboos and guilt. It is definitely not some
pure, innocent love that people expect in imagination. But at the same time,
eroticism is the most “natural human” thing because it is strictly a “human”
habit, as Bataille argues. Judging whether their feeling is “love” or “not” is
something that depends on who looks at it.
“I still loved Naoko. Bent and twisted as that
love might be, I did love her.”
