In "Kafka on the Shore," Haruki Murakami encapsulates a character's simplistic understanding of the ocean, emphasizing its vastness, salinity, and the presence of fish. This highlights the complexity of human knowledge, as individuals may grasp basic truths while remaining unaware of deeper mysteries. The character's perspective serves as a metaphor for the limited insights people often have about the world around them.

This limited viewpoint on the sea reflects broader themes in the novel, such as the contrast between superficial understanding and the profound depths of existence. It suggests that while some aspects of life can be easily understood, so many others remain elusive, inviting readers to explore the mysteries that lie beneath the surface.