In "The Elephant Vanishes," Haruki Murakami explores the profound experience of grappling with an intangible feeling that resides within. The narrator describes a mist-like presence, symbolizing deep potential or unfulfilled emotions, which evokes a sense of uncertainty and longing. This struggle to articulate such an elusive sensation highlights the difficulty of capturing complex inner experiences with language.

The reflection on the inability to find the perfect word underscores the literary journey of self-discovery and communication. The narrator compares their struggle to the skill of great authors like Tolstoy, who seem adept at expressing the inexpressible. This tension between feeling and expression illustrates a universal human challenge—the desire to convey what lies beneath the surface of consciousness.