Which character mocks Kafka for fear?

• A. Nakata
• B. Crow
• C. Oshima
• D. Johnny Walker

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how Murakami externalizes a character’s fear to push them toward action. In Kafka on the Shore, a talking crow serves as Kafka’s inner critic, often ridiculing his fear and cowardice to force him to confront what he’s running from. This Mocking Crow isn’t just comic relief; its taunts reveal Kafka’s hesitations and propel his choices, making the fear feel tangible and navigable.

Nakata, Oshima, and Johnny Walker play different roles in the story and don’t function as the mocking voice about Kafka’s fear. Nakata is gentle and otherworldly, Oshima is a thoughtful guide, and Johnny Walker represents a dark, external force rather than a sparring partner about fear. The crow’s sharp, pointed mockery is the clear mechanism that exposes and challenges Kafka’s fear, helping him move forward.